“Manifesting Beloved Community” Art Exhibition at West Windsor Arts Explores MLK’s Vision of an Equitable and Caring World
Friday, January 31, 2025

Pictured Above: “Wisdom” by Pat McLean Smith. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Newsroom Post: PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ
Manifesting Beloved Community is on view now through March 1, 2025
Princeton Junction, New Jersey – For the fourth consecutive year, West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Art Against Racism, invited artists to present their vision of an equitable and caring world, one not tainted by the misjustices of structural racism. Their artworks are now on display at the arts center in an exhibition called “Manifesting Beloved Community,” inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s global vision of a nonviolent, love-centered world without poverty, hunger and social injustice. Throughout his lifetime, King spoke of a healed planet.
“We are honoring Dr. King’s legacy with this exhibition, which will be on display through March 1,” says Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts. “Each year, we also sponsor a day of service on the MLK holiday so that volunteers are surrounded by the impactful work of this show as they package donations to be given to local service organizations.”
This year’s esteemed jurors, Isabel and Julio Nazario, share their time between New York City and the thriving artist community of Kingston, NY, in the Hudson River Valley. “There are a number of New York artists in this year’s show because of the jurors, but every show is different. The commonality is that there is a great diversity of thought with each show that creates a unique narrative,” says Rhinold Ponder, founder of Art Against Racism, who recommends seeing the show as a whole, in addition to viewing individual artwork online, for the full impact.
To ensure that everyone can experience the exhibition fully, West Windsor Arts added several enhancements to assist patrons with visual impairments or hearing loss, including an audio tour for a selection of the work, a description of each piece of art that can be accessed online through a QR code, and consideration of optimal viewing for those who use a wheelchair by hanging the show at a lower height. “We want to be as inclusive as possible and promote a positive experience of the show,” notes Green.
“More than anything, we want to give people the opportunity to think about ways we can move forward to build a better society,” adds Ponder. “At a time when so much seems negative and people feel there isn’t much they can do about it, this exhibition brings us back together through community, and into a space where we support each other.
“‘Manifesting Beloved Community’ reminds us that it takes a wide range of vision and thoughtful consideration to build a healthy society. We need to be open to one another, listen to everyone’s story and be empathetic to our different views.”
“Manifesting Beloved Community” is on display through March 1, 2025, at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction, NJ.
For more information, visit westwindsorarts.org/exhibitions.
About West Windsor Arts Council
The West Windsor Arts Council offers art and cultural events, workshops, and classes for all ages and in all disciplines at the West Windsor Arts Center and in the community. For more information, call 609.716.1931 or visit westwindsorarts.org.