The images in Calida Garcia Rawles work evoke strength and fragility, beauty and power, exploring identity and agency through a post-Civil Rights, post-feminism lens. This exhibition at the Ebell of Los Angeles‘ art salon, “Out of Darkness” captures celebrated personalities whose political, artistic and intellectual excellence have made them icons in traditionally white institutions. The subjects “emerge” from confines of race, challenging viewers to rethink American black identity.

Calida Garcia Rawles attended Spelman College, where she studied art and later served as an artist-in-residence, and at New York University, where she earned a Master of Arts degree. She has exhibited her paintings nationally and abroad, exploring the concepts of beauty and identity. Several of her works have been published in the compendium Role Call: A Generational Anthology of Social and Political Black Literature Art. Her first children’s book, Same Difference which she wrote and illustrated, addresses the difficult and divisive issues of beauty and identity.

The Ebell of  Los Angeles is an educational and philanthropic organization founded by women in 1894, and is located in the beautiful historic  Ebell Theatre and Club buildings on Wilshire Blvd. The Ebell Of Los Angeles’ mission is to participate in and encourage the educational, cultural and social growth of the diverse Los Angeles community, and to that end they present on going arts and cultural events, as well as supporting educational scholarships for women and donating to organizations in the Los Angeles area that help women in need.

Admission to the opening is free. Please RSVP to 323-931-1277 x131 or email your RSVP to tickets@ebellla.com. Parking is free in the lot  on Lucerne Blvdacross the street formthe club’s entrance.