Stone Center Opens Hair Memory Art Exhibition
The Reverence exhibition explores Black history and culture through photography and archival displays.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in African-American
Live Poll
Do you believe local art exhibits effectively help build a sense of community in your area?
The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History in Chapel Hill opened its first year-long art exhibition, Reverence: Hair Memory Through Images, on September 24, 2026. The display celebrates Black life and history by showcasing barbers and hairstylists.
Why it matters
The exhibition supports the Stone Center mission to promote Black culture and history while highlighting the significance of hair within those communities. It serves as a creative archive for the local community and beyond.
The exhibition features two barber chairs alongside photography and short film elements. It is the first year-long exhibit hosted at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center.
The players
Jamaica Gilmer
She is the founder of The Beautiful Project and the lead artist behind the Reverence exhibition.
Jasmine Nichole Cobb
She is a scholar and collaborator who will join Jamaica Gilmer for a discussion on the intersection of art and identity.
Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History
Located in Chapel Hill, this center is dedicated to the study and preservation of Black history and cultural life.
Andrea E. Woods Valdés
She is an artistic collaborator who has worked with Jamaica Gilmer since 2014.
The details
Founded by Jamaica Gilmer of The Beautiful Project, the exhibit incorporates framed works and large prints to document the stories of stylists and their subjects. It features archival images of Gilmer's sons and collaborator Andrea E. Woods Valdés.
Timeline
The exhibition opened at the Stone Center on September 24, 2026.
A talk featuring Jamaica Gilmer and Jasmine Nichole Cobb is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
The exhibition is set to remain on display until May 31, 2027.
Culture Shift
The exhibition aligns with the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History mission to elevate historical narratives through artistic mediums. It represents a broader shift toward using institutional gallery spaces for immersive, year-long cultural documentation.
Residents in Chapel Hill can visit the exhibition at the Stone Center throughout the academic year. The long-term nature of the display provides the local community with extended opportunities to engage with the featured photography and archival content.
The takeaway
Artistic archives like the Reverence exhibition allow communities to preserve personal and cultural history through accessible visual storytelling. Visitors can implement these lessons by documenting their own family histories or supporting local arts organizations.
What happens next
Jamaica Gilmer and Jasmine Nichole Cobb will host a scheduled talk at the center on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more cultural exhibitions at the African-American section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Tar Heel.
Live Poll
Do you believe local art exhibits effectively help build a sense of community in your area?
