UNC Asheville to Host "Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multiracial Families" Photo Exhibition, Lecture Series

UNC Asheville will host the award-winning traveling photography exhibition, “Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multiracial Families” from September 1-30 in the University’s Highsmith University Union Gallery. A month-long lecture series will be held in conjunction with the exhibit. Teachers who attend the talks will qualify for .1 CEUs. All events are free and open to the public.

“Of Many Colors” is an exhibition of 20 photographs of multiracial families by Gigi Kaeser. Accompanying text by Peggy Gillespie tells the story of these unique American families formed by interracial relationships or transracial adoption.

“It is one thing to talk about how multiracial and multiethnic America has become. It becomes quite personal when we look at the faces of families,” said Dwight Mullen, UNC Asheville professor of political science and chair of the Center for Diversity Education. “This exhibit is an important step in more fully understanding multiracial families.”

Bob Smith, executive director of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council, said he believes this exhibition will give viewers a glimpse into the stresses that multiracial families face.

“Multiracial families have the same issues as every other family – plus. There is a perception that they are not real families, that they don’t fit in,” Smith said.

The lecture series includes the following talks:

** At 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, Maggie Weshner, UNC Asheville Counseling Center director, will discuss “Identity Development in Families of Many Colors through Adoption.” The talk will be held in the Gallery.

** A special talk on civil rights and racism will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union Swannanoa Room. Gary Orrfield, co-director of the Harvard University Civil Rights Project, and Michael Butler, the original Broadway producer of the musical “Hair”, will speak. This event is held in conjunction with the September 9-10 production of “Hair” at the Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.

** Black Mountain resident Jean Briscoe, a mother and grandmother of a multiethnic family, will discuss “Our Family of Many Colors” at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the Gallery.

** A reception and panel discussion on “Our Biracial Families” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union Alumni Hall. Local multiracial family members will discuss their personal experiences.

** Bob Smith, executive director of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council and father of a multiracial family, will give a talk on “Schools, Teachers and Families of Many Colors” at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, in the Gallery.

** Keya Maitra, UNC Asheville assistant professor of philosophy, will give a lecture on "Hindu and Muslim Intermarraige in India," at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Gallery.

** At 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, Sarah Judson, UNC Asheville assistant professor of history, will discuss “The History of Multiracial Families in the South.” Her talk will be held in the Gallery.

The exhibition and lecture series is co-sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Cultural and Special Events, the Center for Diversity Education and the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council. Funds to bring “Of Many Colors” to campus were provided through a grant from the K&F Baxter Family Foundation. “Of Many Colors” is on loan by the Family Diversity Projects, a non-profit educational organization based in Amherst, Mass.

For more information about the “Of Many Colors” exhibition and lecture series, call the Center for Diversity Education at 828/232-5024.

Media Contacts:

• Debbie Miles, Center for Diversity Education Director, 828/232-5024
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526