Photography project instills multicultural understanding through moments of joy

Community art projects, such as the Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness in Saskatchewan, demonstrate the power of imagery and how it can help build dialogue and understanding around racial discrimination, while also promoting diversity.

Mosaic of Black Joy is a travelling photography exhibit that features the stories of 16 Black Saskatchewan residents. Using a participatory research method, known as photovoice, participants submitted photos and reflections that share their perspectives and personal meanings on joy and wellness. The exhibit kicked off during Black History Month on February 6, 2024 at the University of Saskatchewan, then travelled to universities, colleges, libraries and museums across the province. It served as a catalyst for dialogue about diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. The photographs invited viewers to explore the joys, challenges, and complexities of Black life in a way that is both engaging and enlightening.

“Art is powerful. People can engage in a topic of anti-racism in an easier way, in digestible content, without completely shutting down,” says Florence Mudzongo, founder of the Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers (SABSW), who led the Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness project. “It’s a way of engaging with the community without the usual resistance or discomfort that comes with directly addressing racism.”

According to Mudzongo, this traveling exhibit is more than an art display that celebrates happiness and joy within the Black community— it’s a powerful statement of resistance against racial discrimination. “Racism is painful, but we find that joy is actually an entryway for people to heal and to continue to move forward,” says Mudzongo.

She goes on to say that, “Through joy, we maintain our humanity.” By focusing on the moments that bring joy to Black individuals, she says, it reminds viewers that in the face of adversity, joy is not just an act of resistance— it is a celebration of life and a reclamation of humanity.

“This is a display, an exhibit that people can attend, engage with, and learn about diversity in a way that’s accessible to all,” Mudzongo says. “We gave them something that they could actually use, that is a tangible way to talk about diversity, learn about diversity, and understand how to be inclusive.”

The Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers received support from SaskCulture’s Multicultural Initiative Fund (MIF), funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.