Art Against Racism, a Princeton-based nonprofit organization, and the William Trent House Museum are partnering in “Freedoms Reframed: Art on the Edges of the Constitution,” a project examining fundamental human rights and social freedoms that extend beyond those explicitly enumerated in the U.S. Constitution but are significant to contemporary American life. These include the freedom to love without restriction, the right to equitable education, personal and collective safety, economic dignity and living wages, access to health care, and the freedom of self-definition and identity. 

Central to the project is a month-long exhibition of art and poetry created by people of Black, Latino, Native American, and Asian heritage, accompanied by other project activities that expand on that theme. The exhibition will be placed in the historic house and other activities will take place on the museum site between June 14th and July 26th.  

The exhibition will feature approximately 20 visual artworks and original poems by 10–15 poets, a provocative experience that connects artistic expression with civic engagement.  

Other activities connected to the exhibition and to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the centuries of American history will include: 

An opening reception for the exhibition on June 14th with a moderated panel discussion among the artists; 

A program of poetry that accompanies and expands on the themes of the art on June 20th or 21st, read by the project’s poets; 

A reading on July 5th of excerpts from Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech known as “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”;  

A workshop on paper- and print-making using plant materials that deals with issues of food security, self-determined health and wellness, and cultural identity on July 11th and 12th; and  

A closing reception featuring the work of young people participating in the exhibition’s artist-led workshops. 

Further details will be available at www.williamtrenthouse.org