Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County Displays Afrofuturism Works in "Kindred Visions" Exhibit

Featured artwork: "Black to the Future" by LaTonya Thompson

Fayetteville, NC - The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County opens its latest national juried exhibition, Kindred Visions, a celebration of depictions of Afrofuturism in visual art. On display from January 23rd through March 1st, Kindred Visions showcases 46 works from artists across the country.  The exhibit is curated by Dr. Antoinne Duane Jones a celebrated photographer and alumnus of Fayetteville State University.

“The year is 2026 — and the call to share “Kindred Spirits” has never been greater. As we move forward, it’s vital that we showcase art that not only captures the brilliance of Black creativity today but also reimagines how the world will see us tomorrow,” expresses Dr. Jones. “Through bold colors, dynamic shapes, and visionary style, this work transcends time — resonating deeply on every wall it graces. We’re grateful to the Arts Council of Fayetteville for recognizing this moment and championing Afrofuturism as a bridge between culture, creativity, and the future.”

Join the Arts Council in celebrating the opening of Kindred Visions this Friday, January 23 at The Art Center. Along with the exhibit’s opening reception - the Arts Council will host two additional events. On February 12, its “Art After Hours” event will feature extended gallery hours as well as a webinar discussion with John Jennings. Jennings is a Hugo Award Winner, New York Times Best Selling Author, and the illustrator of the graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler’s famed Afrofuturist novel, Kindred, 

On February 26, the Arts Council will host a book club discussion of Kindred. To encourage community-wide reading - Cumberland County Public Library has added extra copies of Kindred to its collection to make the novel available at all eight library branches.  “Cumberland County Public Library is thrilled to partner with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County on their Kindred Visions exhibit,” says Danielle Ellis, Special Project Liaison at Cumberland County Public Library. “We look forward to inspiring and meaningful conversations through this collaboration.”

Kindred Visions Opening Reception

Date: January 23, 2026

Time: 6PM - 8PM

Location: 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC

Kindred Visions Art After Hours with John Jennings

Date: February 12, 2026

Time: 9AM - 8PM | Gallery Hours)

7-8PM | Webinar and Discussion w/ John Junnings

Location: 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC

Kindred Visions Book Club Discussion

Date: February 26, 2026

Time: 6-7:30PM

Location: 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC

All of the events are free and open to the public.

Kindred Visions is made possible in part by the North Carolina Arts Council, City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and Cumberland County Public Library,

View the Arts Council’s full season of exhibits at www.wearethearts.com/exhibits.

For regular updates on the Arts Council, follow this organization on Facebook (@ArtsCouncilFay) or Instagram (@artscouncilfay).

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