What We Carry: A Community Art Exhibition Opening Night
About This Event
What We Carry brings together 35 artists exploring what we inherit, survive, release, and learn to carry differently through art.
What We Carry: A Community Art Exhibition & Dialogue is an artist-led exhibition and social practice activation presented by What’s Your Elephant™ and curated and produced by Niki Lopez.
Bringing together 35 exhibiting artists selected from nearly 200 submitted works, the exhibition explores the emotional, cultural, ancestral, political, and personal weight we carry. Through painting, photography, mixed media, fiber, sculpture, assemblage, installation, performance, digital art, generative AI image-making, and experimental forms, the work moves through themes of identity, memory, grief, belonging, ancestry, resistance, care, survival, healing, and transformation.
The exhibition also makes room for what sustains us: beauty, breath, ritual, creativity, community, humor, softness, spirit, memory, rest, and the possibility of being held.
Opening night takes place Friday, August 21 from 6–10 PM at 1310 Gallery at Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts in Fort Lauderdale. Guests can experience the exhibition, meet exhibiting artists, gather in community, and enjoy music, reflection, and light bites.
Public programming continues throughout the exhibition with a Community Drum Workshop with Feminafrika on August 30, a WYE Collage-Making Workshop + Community Chat on September 5, an ongoing Interactive Reflection Installation, and a Closing Reflection: Art, Movement & Community on September 10, featuring movement artist Damaris Ferrer.
What We Carry invites visitors to consider: What are we carrying? What has been passed down? What have we survived? What are we ready to name, release, hold differently, or transform together?
Opening Reception: Friday, August 21, 2026 | 6–10 PM
Exhibition Dates: August 21–September 10, 2026
Location: 1310 Gallery | Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Admission: Free + Open to the Public
Opening night features live music, DJ Dawny Gemini, complimentary food courtesy of Health Rush, and a cash bar.
For exhibition & program details: https://whatsyourelephant.org/whatwecarry
Additional Info
Parking
Street parking. Middle Street, Harmon Ave, West Las Olas and by the church. NO PARKING ON OLSEEN AVE.
Fri, Aug 21, 2026
Experience More Culture.
Support the Arts!