Dyer Arts Center exhibits black deaf innovators

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A linocut, created by artist David Call, pays homage to deaf educator Andrew Foster and will be displayed at NTID’s Dyer Arts Center through Dec. 18.

The Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf hosts two exhibits this fall and winter.

• “Roots Out of a Dry Ground: The Life and Work of Andrew Foster,” which runs through Dec. 18, is a biographical exhibit of deaf missionary Andrew Foster, who lived and worked in Africa from 1956 until his death in 1987. In 1954, he became the first deaf African American to earn a bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University and the first to earn a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. He founded Christian Mission for the Deaf African in 1956 and established the first school for the deaf in Africa in Ghana.

• “Unfolding the Soul of Black Deaf Expressions”—a first-of-its-kind exhibit featuring more than 100 works of art from more than 30 Black Deaf artists opens runs Nov. 14 through Feb. 27. A two-day symposium will be held Feb. 26 and 27. Pieces stem from a variety of artistic media including paintings, photography and drawings.

“One of the goals of the Dyer Arts Center is to display exhibits promoting cultural groups at least once a year,” said Tabitha Jacques, gallery director. “This season, we are proudly featuring the magnificent work of Black Deaf artists. Unfortunately, not many people know about Andrew Foster’s work and successes, other than those who are experts in deaf culture or deaf history. And then, it seemed like a natural fit to follow up the Foster exhibit with a broader exhibit showcasing Black Deaf artists. It’s important to us that Dyer Arts Center’s exhibits and programs encourage discussion on the myriad types of art that are found within the deaf community.”

For more information about the exhibits, go to the Dyer Arts Center website, Facebook page or Instagram page, @dyerartscenter. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1–5 p.m., Saturdays. The gallery will be closed Nov. 25–Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday and Dec. 23–Jan. 3 for the winter holidays.