Reclamation of space is a growing theme around the world. In Togo, Palais de Lomé, once a symbol of colonial infringement by the Germans, British, and French, has been reclaimed and is now the country’s first major art and culture park. What was once a disdainful reminder of the invasion of European nations to claim what was not theirs, now serves the creative expressions of the people of the land. Established in 1905, Palais de Lomé has shed its history of colonization and pretentious so-called royalty and now stands as a rich symbol of cultural pride.
In her book, "Reclaiming Your Community," Majora Carter writes extensively about ways to, and reasons why reclamation of our own communities is a significant ingredient to self-determination and liberation. She writes in the preface, "White supremacy, the media, public and private policies, and even local traditions and attitudes often lead us to believe that neither we nor our communities are worthy of consideration or respect. I believe that the reclamation of those types of American communities, the very ones that have been written off as intractable problems that can never be solved, will advance human potential, save money, and soothe our own souls as well." Majora is talking about a kind of resiliency that is more than simple survival through tough times. She is talking about a level of ownership that supports the lives we want and need to live. And how to do that within the communities we built that have become foreign lands and home to new iterations of colonialism.
"We needed to use Black art as a symbol of our existence, our brilliance, our history, and our glowing beauty and creativity to make us feel alive and worthy again in our community."
On December 29, 2023, ARTE NOIR became owners of the space we occupy. We are in the heart of what was once a thriving Black community, redlined by restrictive covenants until the 1970s and turned into a highly sought-after central community rife with gentrification. We wanted to and needed to reclaim this space. It is where our families raised us and planted seeds for our futures, only to have those seeds uprooted over time. We needed to use Black art as a symbol of our existence, our brilliance, our history, and our glowing beauty and creativity to make us feel alive and worthy again in our community.
Wrapped in the warmth of a supportive community of generous individual donors, and supported heavily by The Cultural Space Agency, the City of Seattle Economic Development Initiative, the Black Future Co-op Fund, the TEW Foundation, Threshold Philanthropy, Washington State Building for the Arts, a village of Black artists and creators, and every person who has supported us as patrons, we have solidified our hold on a space that carries history and inspiration for generations of Black families.
With enormous gratitude, we echo the sentiment of the Togolese who have reclaimed their stolen history and transformed it into a place of pride when we say, this place is now ours!
