A year-long exhibition bringing together seven artists in conversation to their cultural identities and homelands.

Cultural Confluence is the sixth rendition of the Bright City initiative, a major public art experience bringing light and artwork to Macon's unique alleyways, presented by Dashboard in partnership with NewTown Macon.

Featuring April Holder, Brittany Postoak, Carrie Lind, George Alexander II, Hotvlkuce Harjo, Jessi Sands, and Randy Kemp, and curated by Yatika Starr Fields.

CULTURAL CONFLUENCE

November 1, 2024
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

2nd Street Alleyway
Downtown Macon, GA

Featuring light refreshments & music in the alleyway.
Free and open to the public.

Cultural Confluence connects the history and stories from individuals and communities spread all throughout Turtle Island¹ (North America).  

Native people today often have more than one tribal connection; this is in part due to the constructs of cultural globalization and by the many infringements on Indigenous people and lands² that started centuries ago in 1492 with the first arrival of European presence. From 1830 to 1956, many Indian treaties and policies were used as means of displacement that contributed to forced removals of ancestral homelands and tribal connections, but brought more native communities together in new ways of cultural survivance³ – art making is one of those ways.  

Each artist demonstrates a lineage through their art that is a testament to cultural survivance in modes of imagery and material. Just like the Ocmulgee river’s confluence at the Oconee River and Altamaha River, these three rivers once held thousands of Mississippian⁴ mound communities and stories. The artwork on view is a confluence of time, branching off from one story to another, always shaped by the next generation’s movement, but holding memory of our ancestors and past. 

At the heart of Native American philosophy lies a profound respect for the natural world, embodied in the concept of Turtle Island. This land, stretching across vast territories is not merely a geographical entity; it is a living, breathing relative. Our connection to the land is intrinsic and sacred, echoing the beliefs and practices of our ancestors. The air we breathe is a gift; its purity essential to our existence and well-being. The waters that cradle Turtle Island are our lifeblood, sustaining ecosystems and communities alike. As custodians of the lands, we uphold the principles of Indigenous sovereignty, striving to protect and honor the integrity of our ancestral lands. This commitment is not just about preservation; it's about nurturing a relationship with the environment that is as much a part of us as we are of it.

¹ Turtle Island is a term used by some Indigenous peoples, primarily those in North America, to  refer to the continent. This name stems from various Indigenous creation stories which describe  the landmass as being formed on the back of a giant turtle. The concept of Turtle Island is deeply  significant in many Native American cultures as it reflects our spiritual beliefs and relationship  with Mother earth. 

² The land as a living entity, deserving of respect and care. This view is central to many  Indigenous cultures' philosophies, spirituality, and practices. 

³ A concept developed by cultural theorist Gerald Vizenor, is an expression of active presence.  The term denotes a response to the attempted cultural and physical genocide of Native  peoples in the United States that is beyond simple survival, but involves acts of resistance  that declare a dynamic presence – often combining traditional ways of knowing with  contemporary technologies that are specific to an individual or tribal affiliation. 

⁴ The Mississippian Period in the midwestern and southeastern United States, which lasted from  about A.D. 800 to 1600, saw the development of some of the most complex societies that ever  existed in North America.

George Alexander II

George Alexander II (Aka. Ofuskie) is a Muskogee-Creek artist that blends surrealist symbolism with Indigenous values and a visionary humanitarian outlook. His work inspires dialogues on unity, compassion, and the eternal pursuit of progress. By exploring themes such as time, dreams, landscape, and identity, he encourages viewers to reflect on their own roles in creating a more harmonious and equitable world.

Through his art, Ofuskie offers a visionary perspective on how human nature can guide us towards a more sustainable and interconnected future. His pieces often incorporate natural elements and traditional motifs, reimagined through a contemporary lens, serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of Indigenous knowledge in addressing global challenges.

As an advocate for cross-cultural understanding, Ofuskie's  exhibitions and public talks have become platforms for fostering empathy and promoting social change. His work continues to inspire audiences around the world, inviting them to engage in a collective journey towards greater awareness, respect, and unity among all peoples

Jessi Sands

Jessi “Sands” Sharp is a multidisciplinary artist who uses different mediums such as painting, ceramics, and mixed media to explore how the intersectionality of their multiracial identity influences their roles as an Indigenous parent, queer person, and land steward. Jessi grew up in Oklahoma on the Cherokee reservation and on their Mvskoke reservation where they currently live in Tulsa, OK. They received their Associates of Arts Degree from Tulsa Community College in 2021. They received their Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with minors in American Indian Studies, Pre-Art Therapy, and Art History from Oklahoma State University in 2024. While attending OSU they received several scholarships, the most notable being the Dana, Lisa, and Chris Tiger Scholarship and the Jackson Narcomey Rising Artist Scholarship. Currently, Jessi is working towards receiving their MA in Art Therapy and Ecotherapy from Southwestern College and New Earth Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their career goal is to continue as a studio artist while creating spaces for healing as an art therapist.