By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — In honor of Black History Month, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey unveiled a temporary art installation featuring the work of Black artists Meclina Gomes and Cheryl Miller, now on display in the Governor’s Reception Area at the Massachusetts State House. The exhibition, presented in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council, will remain on view through the end of February.
“This exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate Black artists, honoring their creativity and lasting contributions to arts and culture,” Healey said. “For those visiting the State House, I hope you are able to connect with Meclina and Cheryl’s spectacular work. I’m so grateful to them for sharing their art with us.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, “I’d like to express my gratitude to the Mass Cultural Council and the artists for their support in making this exhibition possible at the People’s House. We’re committed to making art accessible and inspiring for all.”
Since taking office, Healey has expanded the diversity of art on display in the Governor’s Executive Office Suite, adding works on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and curating temporary exhibits highlighting Climate Month, Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Western Massachusetts, Native American Heritage Month, Women Veterans, and other themes.
Meclina Gomes, a New England-based artist, specializes in painting, calligraphy, and micrography. Her works, including Lift Every Voice and Sing and All Mothers, integrate text inspired by ancient Egyptian typography and calligraphy, and some pieces reach over six feet tall. Gomes is co-founder of the Community Art Collaborative and serves on advisory boards for diversity and inclusion at the Tampa Museum of Art and James Weldon Johnson Foundation.
Cheryl Miller, a self-taught photographer with more than 40 years of experience, documents Black everyday life to visually record the human experience. Originally from New York and now based in Stoughton, Massachusetts, Miller previously taught photography at NYU and in the New York City Department of Education. Her works Sunglass Corner and Posing are featured in the installation, highlighting the sociopolitical evolution of communities through the people who foster them.