"We Be The Blues" Opening Reception

Overview

The Albany Area Arts Council is proud to announce We Be the Blues, a landmark solo exhibition by local artist Botini, on view February 5 - March 6, 2026, at the Albany Area Arts Council’s Carnegie Library Gallery, 215 N. Jackson St., Albany, GA.

An Opening Reception will be held Friday, February 5th, from 6–8 PM, and the public is invited to attend this free event. Join us to experience the rich indigo palettes, expressive figuration, and layered symbolism that Botini uses to examine resilience, ancestral memory, and the quiet majesty of everyday Black existence; honoring lives shaped by endurance, creativity, and collective spirit.

The opening reception will feature a special live performance by legendary Albany native Rutha Mae Harris, performing “Pray For Me,” a powerful song from the We Be the Blues original album and soundtrack, a preview screening of the We Be the Blues documentary, offering insight into the stories, people, and places that shaped the work, and a living community art installation, inviting audiences to engage with the exhibition as an active celebration rather than a passive viewing experience

Born in Valdosta and based in Albany, Botini is a self-taught artist known for her evocative portrayals of Black people; particularly Black women, as cultural bearers and storytellers. Her work has been exhibited throughout Georgia and the Southeast and is recognized for its emotional honesty, historical depth, and unmistakable visual voice.

We Be the Blues will be on view throughout Black History Month and stands as a celebration of the lives, legacies, and enduring brilliance of Black families in the South. The gallery is open Monday–Thursday, 12–4 PM, with other hours available by appointment.

For more information, visit https://albanyartscouncil.org/

or call 229.439.ARTS (2787)