Charlotte Observer Feature: Dark & Divine art exhibit
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Press Release | Dark & Divine: Reclaiming Black Narratives
Reclaiming Black Narratives: Dark & Divine Series Spotlights Black Artists and Creative Expression
The Charlotte-based series partners with Harvey B. Gantt Museum, McColl Center, and community
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 3, 2024) — Interdisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Dasia Hood is breaking new ground with Dark & Divine, a transformative series that places Black bodies at the center of art and cultural expression. This collaborative artist-model experience goes beyond traditional exhibitions, creating intimate spaces for the Black community to celebrate, reclaim, and express the beauty and diversity of Black bodies through various artistic mediums.
Dark & Divine offers a unique platform for Black artists and participants to engage with themes of nudity, identity, divinity, and protest in a safe and empowering environment. Through figure drawing workshops, creative writing sessions, and special events, this series fosters a reconnection with the African-American Diaspora's complex histories and perceptions of the Black body. Each workshop features a blend of clothed, partially clothed, and nude models, complemented by curated poetry and music.
The series includes two major exhibitions:
Pop-Up Exhibition: Set for October 18, 2024, at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, this 21+ event will showcase local Black artists, offering an exploration of cultural, sensual, and spiritual interpretations of the Black figure in art.
Full-Length Exhibition: Opening on March 6, 2025, at the McColl Center and running through May 26, this comprehensive exhibit will feature nude photography, tapestries, paintings, and films—each capturing the intimate narratives of Black bodies in art.
“My mission with Dark & Divine is to spark deeper conversations about Black identity and beauty,” said Hood, curator and organizer of the series. “Amid a culture that often hypersexualizes and distorts the Black body, this series is a celebration of authenticity, artistic freedom, and community connection. The positive response so far has been overwhelming, and I look forward to continuing this journey with both artists and audiences.”
Hood is no stranger to large-scale curatorial projects. In 2023, she curated and directed a high-profile pop-up exhibition for NBA star LaMelo Ball at the Charlotte Art League, which opened doors for local artists with global brands such as Foot Locker and Puma. Dark & Divine marks Hood’s first solo production.
For more information on the Dark & Divine series and upcoming events, visit her website.
About Dasia Hood
Dasia Hood is a Charlotte-based artist and curator committed to creating spaces that celebrate Black culture, art, and identity. Her work spans multiple mediums, with a focus on figurative art, and has been featured in prominent exhibitions and collaborations. Through her visionary curatorial projects, Hood aims to champion new opportunities for Black artists in the local and global art scenes.
Media Contact: marketing@dasiahood.com
Q City Metro Feature | Puma x LaMelo Ball
The PUMA x LaFrancé collection is showcased in a one-day exhibition that includes the work of local artists Marcus Kiser, Josh Henderson, Chadwick Cartwright and Kalin Devone. Each artist created original work to reflect the abstract and floral design of Ball’s latest release.
“Melo wants his collection to be viewed as a work of art,” Dasia Hood, who managed the project with PUMA, told QCity Metro. “PUMA wanted the collection to make a connection with the local art community.”
Hood was hired by the brand’s partner marketing agency, Trill Multicultural, to get local artists involved with the collection release.