Join us for the opening reception of world-renowned artist JJJJJerome Ellis’s latest exhibition, a captivating photographic survey of the wetland grasses and seeds of the Elizabeth River. This unique collection showcases Ellis’s profound connection to nature and his ability to capture the intricate beauty of the wetlands through their lens.

Experience the delicate interplay of light and texture in each photograph, and immerse yourself in the serene landscapes that Ellis has meticulously documented. The evening will include a meet-and-greet with the artist, a brief talk about their inspiration and process, and light refreshments.

Arrive early for an optional tour of the Ryan Resilience Lab at 4:00pm

All are welcome – Suggested minimum donation $10 per attendee to support a healthy Elizabeth River though not required in our commitment to providing equitable access to our river-related programming.

About JJJJJerome Ellis

JJJJJerome Ellis (any pronoun) is a disabled Grenadian-Jamaican-American artist, surfer, and person who stutters. The artist works across music, performance, writing, video, and photography.

Concepts that organize the artist’s practice include: unknowing, improvisation, inheritance, opacity, prayer, gap, contradiction, aporia, eternity, unpredictability, interruption, and silence. Ellis researches relationships among blackness, disabled speech, divinity, nature, sound, and time. The artist’s body of work includes: contemplative soundscapes using saxophone, flute, dulcimer, electronics, and vocals; scores for plays and podcasts; albums combining spoken word with ambient and jazz textures; theatrical explorations involving live music and storytelling; and music-video-poems that seek to transfigure archival documents.

JJJJJerome’s work has recently been presented by the Whitney Museum and National Sawdust (New York); Venice Biennale 2023; Haus der Kunst (Munich); Rewire Festival (The Hague); Schauspielhaus Zürich; Chrysler Hall (Norfolk, Virginia); MASS MoCA (North Adams, Massachusetts); the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); and Oklahoma Contemporary (Oklahoma City). They have received commissions from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Shed, and REDCAT.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the natural wonders of the Elizabeth River through the eyes of JJJJJerome Ellis. We look forward to seeing you there!

Part of The Ryan Resilience Series
Made Possible by Virginia Natural Gas