New Detroit art exhibit explores themes of space, community and self-discovery

‘Portal 27: I’m Coming Out’ is the first solo exhibit from young, up-and-coming artist Mieyoshi Ragernoir.

Two Black women smile in front of the WDET logo

Norwest Gallery of Art owner Asia Hamilton (left) and artist Mieyoshi Ragernoir smile in WDET's studios.

This weekend, a Detroit gallery will feature the first solo exhibit from young, up-and-coming artist Mieyoshi Ragernoir.

Ragernoir was born and raised in New York’s Harlem neighborhood, but she’s chosen Detroit as her adopted home and community. She says although Harlem will always be where her roots are at, her education at New York’s Pratt Institute did not offer her the support she needed.

“Being there, I felt isolated and alone. I was only one of three Black artists to graduate in the Fine Arts Program,” Ragernoir said. “The love [in Detroit] has been unreal.”

Portal 27: I’m Coming Out opens at the Black woman-owned and -operated Norwest Gallery of Art on Saturday, April 1, and will be available through April 30. Ragernoir and Norwest Gallery owner Asia Hamilton joined CultureShift to discuss how the exhibition explores themes of space, community and self-discovery.

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Author

  • Amanda LeClaire
    Amanda LeClaire is an award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. She’s a founding producer of WDET’s flagship news talk show Detroit Today, and a former host/reporter for Arizona Public Media. Amanda is also an artist, certified intuitive and energy healer, and professional tarot reader.