In recognition of the upcoming Black History Month in February and in an effort to expand the reach and impact of Black artists, the Amador County Arts Council is hosting “Roots: A Black Literary Art Show.”

Running online from Jan. 18, 2021 through Feb. 26, 2021, Roots will feature creations from artists using all forms of media, including visual art, recordings, videos, and/or original poems that honor, showcase, and uplift the works of Black artists, pioneers and other people of note.

“We are excited to have this opportunity again to highlight Black artists and voices and to celebrate the Black pioneers that helped shape the community,” said Meghan O’Keefe, the executive director at the Amador County Arts Council.

The event saw its first showing in early 2020 through the efforts of Deja Douglas, a 2020 graduate of Argonaut High School.

Douglas “inspired Roots art show when she said that she and her peers of color feel invisible in Amador County,” O’Keefe said.

“We want this show to make all voices in Amador County heard and welcome.”

The show is in part supported by the California Arts Council and the Poetry Out Loud grant. Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Some of the Roots show will be open mic poetry readings via a Zoom format.

A virtual opening reception is planned for Jan. 18.

The Amador County Arts council is accepting submissions for possible inclusion in the show through Jan. 11, 2021. For information about submissions or to view the exhibition when it opens, visit www.amadorarts.org/roots.