The Story Lives On: Inside the Black Histories Black Futures Art Exhibit

July 3rd, 2026

Quick Look: Why This Story Matters

The Exhibition: From February to April 2026, St. Catharines City Hall hosted the physical “Black Histories Black Futures” gallery.
The Digital Shift: We didn’t want the impact to end when the physical doors closed. BLK OWNED worked with Tanika Hillocks, Black OWNED 905, and the City of St. Catharines to turn this temporary exhibit into a permanent digital archive for the 8 featured artists.
The Core Mission: This was much more than just a showcase of artwork. It was an intentional space designed to amplify local Black artists, connect the community through real conversation, and spark meaningful dialogue.
Approximately a 5 minute read; 10 min with watching videos

Beyond the Canvas: Art with a Voice

Tanika Hillocks, Creative Community Consultant and participant of the Trailblazer program, captured the essence of the exhibit perfectly:

“Every single piece in this exhibition has a story, has a voice. It’s more than what you see, but how you feel.”

She is absolutely right. This showcase goes beyond putting artwork on display; it holds space for our community to connect in conversation, elevate local Black talent, and start critical dialogues.

“Curating this exhibition contributes to a bigger movement than myself,” Tanika shared. “Reclaiming the voices and stories of Black creatives in a way that is alive, it is beautiful, it is vibrant. This is about moving forward and reclaiming space.”

When the gallery at St. Catharines City Hall wrapped up at the end of April, we knew this narrative needed a longer shelf life. BLK OWNED worked with Tanika Hillocks, Black OWNED 905, and the City of St. Catharines to bring the gallery and its eight featured artists to a digital medium. Now, the spirit and legacy of this exhibit can live on online, far beyond the lifespan of the physical gallery.

The Moments That Stayed With Us

As Executive Director, getting to tour the gallery firsthand was an incredible experience. The energy and local history in that room were undeniable.

During the tour, I met a city staff worker who was beaming with pride because their grandfather’s name was included in an artwork showcasing the hidden history of the St. Catharines Black Hockey Team. I also learned the deeper meanings behind pieces that connected the artists directly to their ancestral roots, and saw works amplifying local trailblazers like Eleanor Rodney and Lincoln Alexander. Another powerful piece focused entirely on giving Black women their flowers, celebrating the many essential roles they serve as leaders, business owners, mothers, and wives.

Seeing how deeply people connected with these pieces made it obvious that these stories couldn’t just disappear after April.

Take a look at the videos featured in this blog to see the featured art, meet the artists, and experience the beauty of this work for yourself!

The City of St. Catharines frequently hosts different art displays at City Hall. You can visit St Catharines Public Art for more details on current and upcoming exhibits.

In Their Own Words: “What Does Black Histories Black Futures Mean to Me?”

We spoke with a few of the artist to hear what Black Histories Black Futures mean to them and their brand.

Victory Anthony-Nted

Emmanuel Akolo

Israel Crooks

Glory Inegbedion

Talia Jermyn

Wayne Moore

Thank You to the Artists

This project exists because you shared your creativity, history, and vision with our community. Please follow the links to their social media to stay connected.Thank you:

A final thank you to Eugene Ncube of Ugene Visuals for your incredible work behind the camera and helping us document this story!