Ontario Museum of History and Art: 'We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow' Exhibit to Question the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

LP Aekili Ross, Silent Voices, 2016
Courtesy of Ontario Museum of Art

By The Pomonan
Published January 6, 2023 10:28 Am PST

We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” a group exhibition that interprets the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, is now on view at the Ontario Museum of History & Art.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Guest curators Riea Owens and Patricia Jessup-Woodlin selected 61 artworks is now on view in three of the museum’s galleries. The artworks question and interpret the Preamble’s complexities and contradictions. “This is an excellent opportunity for the museum audience to view a vast diversity of art and artists representative of We the People”, said guest curator Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin.

This exhibition intertwines a diverse artistic approach, including site-specific installations, multimedia works, and traditional media such as painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, and collage, to challenge and engage the viewer on these political issues. Through the power of art, the exhibition hopes to inspire empathy, understanding, and a sense of shared purpose among its audience as we work together to create a more just and equitable society for all.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Allyson Allen, Bill Anderson, A.S. Ashley, Christen Austin, Donna Bates, Jean Brantley, Gloria Cassidy, John Chang, Mary Chen, Mary Cheung, Rosy Cortez, Liz Covington, Jessica Cruz, Rick Cummings, Deserai Davis, Otha “Vakseen” Davis III, Mellyssa Diggs, Pam Douglas, George Evans, Karen Fiorito, Kathi Fox, Stefanie Girard, Stephanie Godoy, Sophia Green, T. Faye Griffin, Beihua Guo, Diana Elizabeth Hernandez, Jessus Hernandez, Linda Kaye, Won Sil Kim, Leah Knecht, Chad La Fever, Eileen Oda Leaf, Rose Loya, Julian Lucas, Cindy Macias, Victoria NaserSaravia, Riea Owens, Ann Phong, Mike Pitzer, Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Hannah Raykhenberg, Humberto Reynoso, Natalie Rios, Phillip Risby, Bart Ross, LP Ækili Ross, Shira Seny, Amy Smith, S.A. Smith, Linda Ternoir, Sharon Terry, Lisa Tomczeszyn, Maryam Crogman, Kat Trevino, Ricardo Tomasz, Jerry Weems, Christopher J. Wesley, Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin.

The artist reception will open Saturday, February 18, from 6 PM to 9 PM. In addition there will be a moderated conversation on March 4, 2023, from 2 PM to 4 PM, with guest curators Riea Owens and Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin, and artists featured in We the People. The discussion will focus on artistic practices and perspectives about the Preamble’s phrase “We the People.” The Museum’s programs are held on-site and are free to the public.

About the Ontario Museum of History & Art

The Ontario Museum of History & Art The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, Noon to 4 PM, and Saturday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. For more information call (909) 395-2510, email at MuseumInfo@ontarioCA.gov, or visit www.OntarioMuseum.org. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a public-private museum operated by the City of Ontario with support from the non-profit Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates.

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