DOURIEAN FLETCHER: JEWELRY OF THE AFROFUTURE @MAD MUSEUM

Okoye, General of the Dora Milaje, as seen in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), full ensemble featuring necklace, belt buckle, armor, and shoe accessory, c. 2018; Ruth E. Carter and Marvel, designers and Douriean Fletcher, maker

"Who is Douriean Fletcher?" I asked myself, as I headed to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) to check out the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture exhibit.  The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place the work. When the elevator doors opened, there was gold. There was a creative ferocity. And there was a bold, unmistakeable Black Afro-futurist vibe. Surrounded by images and costumes from Marvel's Black Panther, everything snapped into focus. Keep reading for a look inside...

DEAR FUTURE: ELEVATING CHILDREN'S VOICES

Dear Future: Elevating Children's Voices @FIT highlights the stories of children living in an orphanage in Cali, Colombia

As I hug my son, drop him off and go about my daily routine, it's difficult to fully grasp the plight of the eight million children in institutionalized care worldwide. Dear Future: Elevating Children's Voices in the Art & Design Gallery at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) offers a poignant glimpse into the "possibilities that emerge when vulnerable children are given the space to dream" [source].The exhibit serves as a powerful reminder of opportunity and opportunity cost, underscoring the importance of nurturing potential. Visitors "explore the children's rich life tapestry through a combination of photography, video work, and vibrant installations." Keep reading to for a closer look...