To celebrate Black History Month, the Zuka Artist Guild — a multicultural organization based in north St. Louis — is honoring the Black historical figures we don’t often uplift with an exhibit titled “Unsung Black Hero.” The one‑day showcase will take place this Saturday at UrbArts Galleries from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and is open to all ages and backgrounds.
The exhibit is curated by Janet Riehl, an award‑winning artist and longtime member of the Zuka Artist Guild, and will feature work from both Zuka artists and members of the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.
The Zuka Artist Guild operates under the umbrella of the 14th Street Artist Community. Since the 1970s, the organization has created a nurturing space for social and cultural outreach, enrichment, and artistic expression.
“At Zuka we always have a Black History Month exhibit,” said Riehl. “But this theme is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time, so I took up the reins.”
The artists will bring together portraits, sculptures, and poetry from storyteller and activist Cheeraz Gormon and St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Anderson for an afternoon celebrating Black contributions to art, entertainment, and science.
“This is just a really amazing opportunity to be in a multi‑sensation environment,” Riehl added. “To hear two of St. Louis’s finest poets — who are really heroines in the creative community — and be surrounded by 20 pieces of art.”
At Saturday’s “Unsung Black Hero” program, guests can tour the UrbArts gallery and hear from each artist about the hero they chose, how that figure shaped society, and why their story resonates personally. The program will also feature sound from David Jackson, who often performs on drums but will take over the DJ booth for this event.
Bringing together music, poetry, and work from artists like Patricia Clark, David Lee, and Joseph LaMarque is especially meaningful for Riehl, who believes the program will offer an afternoon of reclamation and re‑education for all communities.
“This exhibit speaks to the nation’s tragic history with slavery and our current struggles with racial justice and social inequality,” she said. “To fully claim the value and glory the Black community has brought to the U.S., it’s important to foreground the stories people don’t know so we can reclaim history.”
Heroes highlighted in the exhibit include Bass Reeves, the deputy U.S. Marshal and gunfighter, and Cleora Hughes, a prominent journalist. The showcase will also uplift local heroes like Jordan Chambers, former mayor of Mill Creek Valley, and East St. Louis Poet Laureate Eugene Redmond.
Upon entering the exhibit, guests will see an elaborate installation honoring inventor and businessman Garrett Morgan — a figure many young people are unfamiliar with. The installation includes a stoplight, his most well‑known invention, along with others he created throughout his career.
“This is one of the pieces you’ll see when you walk in, and it’s just a beautiful installation that can’t help but draw you in.”
This installation — and many others — will be waiting at the free, one‑night‑only “Unsung Black Heroes” exhibit this Saturday at UrbArts Galleries.
The “Unsung Black Hero” exhibition will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at UrbArts Galleries, located at 2600 N. 14th Street in St. Louis. The event is free and open to all ages.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
