July 30 – August 14, 2026
On August 1st, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect across the British Empire, setting up pathways for the emancipation of over 800,000 enslaved persons of African descent. While most of those emancipated resided in the Caribbean region and the African continent, it is important to remember that slavery had also been carried out in what is now known as Canada. 192 years later, the SUM galley, together in partnership with Hogan’s Alley Society and the Vancouver Black Library, would like to recognise this overlooked part of Canadian history with a series of programming around what is now celebrated as Emancipation Day.
TO BE BLACK, IS TO BE FREE
To Be Black, Is To Be Free commemorates the essence of Emancipation Day by bringing together the works of Vancouver-based artists Simone Chnarakis and Valerie d. Walker. This duo exhibition serves as a celebration of queer Black resilience by exploring the ways in which liberation can be cultivated and passed down. Chnarakis’ photographic and videographic works present a tribute to her chosen family in Vancouver’s ballroom community alongside an intimate homage to her Jamaican grandmother. Likewise, Walker’s large-scale indigo-dyed fibre works reclaim the legacy of indigo as a plantation commodity, creating an immersive environment informed by her African Diasporic, Scottish, Japanese, and Indigenous Hawaiian heritage.
To Be Black, Is To Be Free opens July 30 with a reception from 6 – 9pm at SUM gallery. Attending the opening is FREE but registration is recommended. The exhibition runs Tues – Sat, noon – 6pm, until August 14.
TO BE BLACK, IS TO BE FREE
SIMONE CHNARAKIS & VALÉRIE D WALKER
Exhibition Opening
Thursday, July 30th
6 – 9 pm
SUM gallery
FREE
#425 (4th Floor) – 268 Keefer St.
HAUS OF BUKURU x HAUS OF EBONII DRAG TAKEOVER
To further engage with the theme of liberation intrinsic to To Be Black, Is To Be Free, Mx. Bukuru, Batty Banks, and Acacia from the Haus of Bukuru, Vancouver’s Blackest & Transest Haus, will be taking over SUM gallery with a crystalizing drag performance on August 1st. Joining them for this unforgettable evening of Black expression will be Mx. Jackson and Call Me Keeks from Edmonton’s own Haus of Ebonii as well as DJ O Show and burlesque artist Rainbow Glitz!
This event starts at 7pm and is FREE to attend but due to limited space registration is highly recommended. Our Emancipation Day programming is presented in partnership with our dear friends at Hogans Alley and Vancouver Black Library. Note: This event is 18+.
EMANCIPATION DAY
DRAG TAKEOVER
Saturday, August 1st
7pm
SUM gallery
FREE
#425 (4th Floor) – 268 Keefer St.
EMANCIPATION DAY
SPOKEN WORD EVENT
Sunday Aug 2 may be the day after Emancipation Day, but the love and joy will still be going strong at Vancouver Black Library for SUM gallery’s annual Emancipation Day Spoken Word Event. Valérie d. Walker, Siobhan Barker, and April Sumter-Freitag will share the mic to discuss the complicated history of what it means to be black and to be free. Black attendees are also encouraged to share their own writing or to share an excerpt from their favourite Black author, poet, or writer. Everyone is invited to this special afternoon at VBL!
EMANCIPATION DAY
SPOKEN WORD EVENT
Sunday, August 2nd
2pm
Vancouver Black Library
FREE
#072 (Lower Ground Level) – 268 Keefer St.
