The Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education (Chhange) at Brookdale Community College will host a public reception for its new “Facing Racism” exhibit on April 10 in Lincroft. (Photo by Brookdale Community College) 

Press release from Brookdale Community College 

On Sunday, April 10, The Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education (Chhange) at Brookdale Community College will host an opening reception for its new art exhibit, presented under the theme “Facing Racism.” art exhibit on Sunday, April 10 from 12 to 2:30 in Lincroft.

Scheduled from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in BCC’s Bankier Library, the event highlights an exhibit composed of more than 200 interpretive “faces,” created by students from 19 area elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and special needs schools over the last two months.

The initiative began in January, when Chhange hosted a workshop for area teachers, and presented them with materials to open up a dialogue with students about the roots and impacts of racism.

Students were then given oval-shaped foam discs and asked to express their own feelings and experiences through art. The finished pieces, which utilize paint, sculpture, glass, yarn, plastic and other materials, will be on display in the Chhange gallery throughout 2016. An accompanying book, featuring artist statements from each student contributor, will be available to the public as well.

“This initiative challenges our youth to confront racism – the victimization of individuals based solely on their unchangeable physical characteristics,” said Dale Daniels, executive director of Chhange. “The students’ artwork explicitly reflects their struggle with the pain racism engenders, as they ‘face’ it head-on and express their emotions as well as their commitment to battle it.

“In several schools, the impact of ‘Facing Racism’ was so successful that students and faculty elected to extend the program and create their own in-school exhibit,” Daniels added.

The opening reception is free and open to all, with parking in lot 5. For more information or for gallery hours, go here or call Chhange at (732)224-1889.