Check out the wonderful press this exhibition has received!
Spectrum News
Syracuse.com
Urban CNY
Bridge Street WSYR
Central Current
The Daily Orange

Jaleel Campbell’s latest series titled In Secrecy will explore the experiences of out, discreet and DL Black men in the gay community and what toll that takes on the psyche over time. Unlearning our natural instinct to operate in secret is half the battle. Homophobia in the Black community continues to run rampant. Growing up under these constraints forces queer youth to assimilate – to prevent drawing attention to their mannerisms, interests, or desires. Each year, those that are able to “pass” lose more and more of their natural instincts and begin to present themselves to the public how they believe society wants them to be. A performance. What is the truth? Is there truth? Jaleel hopes to enable real conversations from those that may share a similar experience and encourage others to tell their stories.
This project was made possible in part by: ArtRage,Project OutLoud, The Near West Side Initiative, Black Artist Collective, CNY Arts, Breadcrumb Productions, and the CNY Community Foundation.

Jaleel Campbell is a Syracuse, NY based artist whose work ranges from illustration, curating, directing, performing and the latest, doll making. Jaleel attained his BFA in Visual Communications with a specialization in Graphic Design from Cazenovia College and his MFA in Media Arts & Culture from SUNY Purchase. His passion for creating knows no bounds. It is through these acts that community building comes to the forefront. That is Jaleel’s mission and what drives him the most. Whether it be through illustration work that showcases the often underrepresented, video work that captures the beauty and essence of Black life and culture, or handmade dolls that aim to honor and acknowledge African traditions, there is no limit to his creativity and he will continue creating work that reminds Black people of their worth; even when the world becomes too heavy.

EXHIBIT SPONSORS
Daphine Derosa, Julie Gozan & Tom Keck, Carole Resnick, Nancy Keefe Rhodes, Mara Sapon-Shevin, Jeff Unaitis, and Carmen Viviano-Crafts

SEASON SPONSORS
Anonymous Group – In memory of Rae Kramer, Annemarie Deegan, Therese A. Deegan, Margrit Diehl, Christine Flynn, Nirelle & Allen Galson, Mike Greenlar & Linda Bogart-Greenlar, Joe Marusa & Beth Drew, Jeremy McKay, Lauren & Walter Melnikow, Diane Murphy, Shirley & Larry Novak, Lleni Pach, Mary Traynor, Ellen Schwartz, Vince Sgambati, Ron VanNorstrand, Paul Welch & Sharon Dettmer, Shaila Wood & Ramesh Gaonkar, and Amy Zamkoff

SPECIAL BENEFACTORS
The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, Bousqet Holstein, Donald Blair & Nancy Dock, Caroline Cargo, Edgewood Gallery, Claudia Gebhardt, Sam Gruber, Joyce Homan, Sandra Hurd & Joel Potash, Mary Kuhn & Dave Thomas, The DUKE Malavenda Foundation, Inc., Sidney Manes & Amy Zamkoff, Nancy & Bruce McCoy, Sarah Stewart McIlvain, Diane Lyden Murphy, Rick Olanoff & Susan Wadley, Robert Sarason & Jane Burkhead, Craig Schlanger & Rosemary Welch, Mary Stanley, and Carolyn Stark & John Przepiora

SUSTAINING SPONSORS
Walter Putter & Marilyn Smith