“I never dreamed in a million years that I would be going to Africa,” Ewing said, referring to a 1995 trip that took her to Ghana, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, and Gambia. “It was life changing and I was speechless when I had the opportunity to visit the slave castles. I could feel my ancestors’ spirits and tears began to roll down my face. It’s hard to believe that was over 24 years ago and it’s time to share my rich experience again.”
Kimberly Ewing is a photographer with a ... view more »
“I never dreamed in a million years that I would be going to Africa,” Ewing said, referring to a 1995 trip that took her to Ghana, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, and Gambia. “It was life changing and I was speechless when I had the opportunity to visit the slave castles. I could feel my ancestors’ spirits and tears began to roll down my face. It’s hard to believe that was over 24 years ago and it’s time to share my rich experience again.”
Kimberly Ewing is a photographer with a rich history in Indiana, working in bullying prevention, emotional CPR and diversity training, and uses her photography to capture moments of time before they are lost to her forever. Ewing is a former professor at Vincennes University and taught Black History, relishing how it transformed the confidence of her students.
“I reminded them that their history didn’t begin with slavery, that it was a small piece in our historical timeline,” Ewing said. “I shared that they came from kings and queens and had a rich history before, during, and after slavery, that they came from survivors because thousands of African people didn’t make the inhumane trip from West Africa to America, and that many didn’t survive slavery. It’s so important to teach correct Black History, because it is American History. The America that we know would not exist without it.”
With “The Sun Rises in West Africa,” Ewing hopes visitors will walk away with an appreciation for the region, and the rich culture there. Having lost her mother, Burma, to breast cancer in 2009, a portion of her art sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a cause that is just as strong an influence in the Ewing family as her ancestral history.
“I hope visitors see the beauty of the people of West Africa, the land, and all it has to offer. I hope they consider visiting the region, and, if possible, to take their entire family. Most importantly, please learn about West Africa because it has a rich and beautiful history,” Ewing said.
The Full Circle Nine Gallery operates as an artist cooperative gallery, with each of the member artists and the board dividing gallery duties and artists roles. The artists will work together to help each other advance in skill and practice, as well as to bring success to the gallery.
It held its grand opening during First Friday February 3rd, 2017. The gallery currently occupies two rooms within the CCIC, one acts as the entry and feature space, the other was renovated by the artists from a concrete and cinder block factory room into an industrial-styled gallery. With the additional space opening, the cooperative is looking to grow from a current number of 22 artists to approximately 25 member artists.
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