AMIGHTYLONGWAY:SUN,2025,inprogress
Black History Month Life Year has been an affirmation that I’ve had for over a decade, though it’s been in my spirit for a lifetime. There have been countless times that people only wanted to confer
with me in the month of February. Reaching out in December or January to be apart of some program, or panel, or project that requires my labor, talent, time, brilliance, trauma, connections... I mean the list can go on and on. For almost ten years now, on February 1st, I make an announcement that “Im Black everyday of the year. ” This mantra, this affirmation, and this assertion is to proclaim two things. ONE: Celebrating Black history, in its designated month, and beyond, is important. TWO: I am not to be auctioned off every February to fill a Back quota, I am to be respected every day I exist... be it in flesh or memory. Black history is American history. Black history is global history. Black history is tied to terror and triumph. There are stories that deserve to be told so that we can honor the sacrifices, and joys, and strides of a people, my people, that just won’t quit. Stories that deserve to be remembered and that deserve to be revered. In this volume of THE NINETEENTH I am talking about work that will live beyond February, and hopefully beyond me. IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS is my next solo exhibition and the work is an ode to the deepest part of my Blackness; my ancestors and my lineage. # B l a c k H i s t o r y M o n t h Y e a r L i f e
MARCH27TH20 MOSAIC TEMPLARS
IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS is a celestial body of work that imagines the Diasporic culture in a universal context and honors the Ancestors. A road map to freedom and Afro-Futures, these hand-stitched pieces will document origin stories, how folks crossed over
geographical bodies, and where the people of The Diaspora have yet to go by recognizing Black bodies as constellations in the sky. An artistic North Star, shining on the brilliance of Blackness. Imagine being on your porch at night in The South, being surrounded by the swell of energy from the celestial beings that are Ancestors now. A mighty long way, from The Middle Passage, to the red clay of Arkansas, you can rest your bones in the comfort that one arduous journey has ended, and a new adventure into Afro-futures awaits. Before taking flight, sit for a spell in a room that tells our stories and conjures our culture in the cloth. Quilted glory, traditionally and evolving.
In the spirit of honoring the Ancestors, the exhibition, being shown in the historic Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC), is set to open on March 27th, my late father, the incomparable Attorney Christopher C. Mercer, Jr.’s 101st cosmic birthday. The show will run until August 16th, 5 days before my 42nd birthday.
What I hope for most is that this work is received in curiosity and love. As I am still cutting, piecing, pinning, and stitching leading up to the opening, everyday there is something new being born inside of me. I am channeling my relatives that have crossed over. I am inspired by the many people that came before, “their names number the stars”, and IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS is an attempt to pay homage to all of their eternal shine. This incredible opportunity has been supported by MTCC and their wonderful staff. Also, when planning the exhibit layout, Kate East of AMR Architects gave her brain power to plot the gallery design. As the journey continues,
I know that more aid will reveal itself, while I have the most rewarding piece of this quilted pie... visualizing and executing the work. I am held by the tradition of quilting, and the affirmation from my Ancestors that this art is blessed with promise. I feel like I am restoring dignity to my people through my craft, telling hard stories in a beautiful way. As the opening draws nearer, more will be shared about the making, the process, and how it all comes together. It has taken a lot to get here, however I know that truly, IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS.
2025, in p r o g r e s s
AMIGHTYLONGWAY:MOON,
bearing, oral tradition, and ancestral craft. As the ED and Found(HER) of this organization, and an artist myself, it is my personal mission to use my craft to see the work of A BLACK SPACE through. Please consider donating, by clicking or scanning the QR code below, to support our newsletter, programs, and emerging community outreach to lend our support where needed. Also, if you ’ re looking to expand your art collection, consider buying some of my fine art prints HERE. Available at M2 Gallery, located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Want more to see more of IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS? Be sure to come to the exhibition opening on March 27th, my late father, Attorney Christopher C. Mercer, and open to the public, and w Templars Cultural Center. 501 W AR.
Prose + Layout: CC Mercer Watson
