Supported by WTC, St. Louis-Senegal Sister Cities Partnership Celebrates 30 Years
15 artists from St. Louis, Senegal exhibited during anniversary celebration
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the St. Louis, Mo., and St. Louis, Senegal, Sister Cities partnership.
The St. Louis Sister Cities Program is part of the World Trade Center St. Louis’ (WTC) international mission. Sanctioned by Sister Cities International, WTC supports and coordinates the 16 sister cities programs in St. Louis and provides guidance for those interested in establishing new sister cities relations.
The Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis recently hosted Terang’Art II: A Celebration of Art and Hospitality, an intercultural exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the St. Louis, Mo. and St. Louis, Senegal, Sister Cities partnership. The exhibition featured works from more than 15 contemporary artists from both cities.
The exhibition was originally exhibited in Senegal in May as it featured five Senegalese and five St. Louis artists. The five Senegalese artists were in St. Louis for the second part of the exhibition at the Griot Museum.
“We were thrilled to unite the artwork of five Senegalese artists with the talents of St. Louis artists in a unique celebration of art, culture, and intercontinental hospitality. Teranga II: A Celebration of Art and Hospitality, exhibited at the Griot Museum of Black History, reflects the deep cultural ties between our cities,” said Renée Brummell Franklin, co-chair of the St. Louis, Missouri-St. Louis, Senegal Sister Cities Committee. “In the spirit of Teranga, a word from the Wolof language, spoken in Senegal, embodies the ideals of hospitality, unity and sharing, we celebrate 30 years of connection between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Louis, Senegal. It was a true pleasure to bring our communities together through this exhibition.”
Brummell Franklin is also the chief diversity officer at the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri representative for Sister Cities International and a board member of WTC.
Artists featured were: Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, Damon Davis, Jasmyn Diggs, William Humphrey, Lois Ingrum, Gundia Locke, Taylor Marrie, Hayveyah McGowan, Moraa Nyaribo, Ndeye Marie Coulibaly Oureye, Adelia Parker-Castro, Brock Seals, Thomas Sleet, Jason Vasser-Elong, Clayvon Wesley and Ronald Young.
The Sister Cities Showcase was on view until October 17th, but the local artists will be on display through the end of October.