For three decades, the Mavuno Festival has celebrated the creativity, leadership, and cultural contributions of Black artists and educators in the Sewickley region. The word Mavuno, meaning harvest in Swahili, reflects the gathering of community, culture, and artistic expression that has grown from seeds planted 30 years ago.
Through this exhibition, Sweetwater invites artists to reflect on the themes of grit, grace, and gratitude – the qualities that nurture creativity, sustain community, and allow artistic voices to flourish. The exhibition explores perseverance, cultural identity, community impact, personal narratives, and the beauty that emerges through challenge and growth.
Grit – perseverance, resilience, and determination
Grace – beauty, dignity, cultural strength, and artistic excellence
Gratitude – honoring community, mentorship, legacy, and those who paved the way
Through a wide range of media and perspectives, Rooted in Grit, Held in Grace celebrates the brilliance, strength, and creativity of artists whose work continues to shape the cultural landscape of our region.
Participating artists: BRITTNEY CHANTELE ASTON TYLER BELIZAIRE BLANE BRITT BLAIRE CRUMBLEY ROBIN GRIFFIN KENETTE LOUIS DARRIN MILLINER COREY OCHAI J RICH LEON SHEFFEY IBIM SOIBIHARRY JANET WATKINS
Opening reception: Friday, September 25, 2026, 6-8 p.m.
Free and open to the public, refreshments provided
Together brings together the work of husband-and-wife artists Gary and Suzanne Bates, presenting a dialogue between painting and fiber. Gary’s paintings explore the transformation of organic forms into abstraction through light, shape, color, line, texture, and form, while Suzanne’s tapestries translate landscape and spatial depth through the layered language of wool and textile. United by a shared sensitivity to color, composition, texture, and the natural world, their distinct practices reveal complementary approaches to abstraction and visual expression. Together, the exhibition reflects both their individual artistic perspectives and the creative connection that has developed through their lives and practices as artists.
Opening reception: Friday, September 25, 2026, 6-8 p.m.
Free and open to the public, refreshments provided
![Through the Wound [Ceramic Series] #04](https://sweetwaterartcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/10-11-300x300.png)
![Through the Wound [Ceramic Series] #06](https://sweetwaterartcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/30-4-300x300.png)
![Through the Wound [Ceramic Series] #24](https://sweetwaterartcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/15-8-300x300.png)
![Through the Wound [Ceramic Series] #25](https://sweetwaterartcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/24-5-300x300.png)
