A Journey of Connection: Reflecting on a Landmark February
- Francesca Durham
- Feb 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 26
Looking back at the start of this month, my heart is
incredibly full.
Curating an exhibition is always a labour of love,
but to witness the community show up in such a powerful way across two different cities has been a career highlight.
This February, as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Black History Month in Canada, we didn't just open a gallery, we opened a dialogue.
Part One: The Spirit of Oakville (Feb 1st)
We kicked off the month at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Culture Centre (QEPCCC). The atmosphere was elevated by the beautiful sounds of harpist Pearl Schachter, who took us on a musical journey from Florence Price to Bob Marley.
It was an honour to be joined by MP Sima Acan, the Mayor of Burlington, and our local Councillors. Their support underscores the importance of the questions we are asking through this work: What do we keep? What do we let go? How do we belong?
Part Two: The Packed House in Milton (Feb 21st)
The momentum only grew as we moved to the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton. If Oakville was about deep reflection, Milton was about high energy. The vibe was "off the charts" thanks to the incredible Geoff Bournes, whose saxophone performance set the perfect tone for a packed house.
Seeing the gallery overflowing with people, including MP Adam van Koeverden, MP Kristina Tesser Derksen, and Councillors, reminds me there's a deep desire for these stories.
The Faces of Our Community
As a curator, I often find that when home is complicated, a person's face becomes the site of debate. In these exhibitions, the artists assert their humanity through expression. Seeing visitors "linger" in front of these works, sharing stories and traditional Caribbean sugar cakes and black cake, proves our galleries have become true destinations.
A massive thank you to the CCAH team: Sheldon, Dionne Downer, Ashleigh Wint, Enoch Oppong and the entire Board. You provided the foundation for this success.
A Note of Gratitude: In the midst of these openings, I was deeply moved to be recognized by Metroland and the Independent Free Press as one of this year's Black Trailblazers. Reflecting on the last 10 years of this work, moving from "reclamation" to "complexity" I am reminded that we are not just correcting erasure, we are building a legacy.
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Francesca Durham is a cultural strategist and curator whose work bridges art, community, and social impact. For nearly a decade, she has created platforms that center Afro-Caribbean artists, grounded in the belief that exhibitions are not just about displaying art, they're about building community, honouring resilience, and creating spaces where people can bloom.
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