Flowers for Our Grandmothers

Listen to the Audio here
View the Book here

The Newburgh Free Library presents an exhibition of Flowers for Our Grandmothers, a community-based collaborative creative project led by Gabrielle Burton Hill, Francois Deschamps, and Jesse Flaitz.

Flowers for Our Grandmothers aims to represent and honor the lives, beauty, and wisdom of Black and African-American grandmothers in Newburgh. Participating grandmothers were interviewed, recorded, and photographed by the creative team, and the project includes an exhibition of photographs, a 52-page book with illustrations and narratives, and an audio interview archive. Their photographs are currently on display in the Newburgh Free Library/BOE Lobby. An opening reception is scheduled for December 11, at 5:30 p.m. and a panel discussion with the photographed grandmothers is scheduled for March 13, at 5:30 p.m. More related events to come.

Opening Reception with Q&A Discussion with The Creative Team Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm.

Letter Writing Campaign
Everyone 4-17 years old is invited to draw a picture, write a poem or use our template to help you form your thoughts on why your grandmothers/elders are important to you.

Please drop off your submission to the Newburgh Free Library anytime between Monday, January 6th to
Monday, March 3rd with the postcard below attached. Submissions will be on display at the scheduled Flowers for Our Grandmothers panel discussion on March 13, at 5:30 p.m.

Q&A Panel Discussion with “The Grandmothers” Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

On View Daily through April 2025.