Rhonda Simmons is a descendent of Black Loyalists who came to New Brunswick in 1783 following the American Revolution. She is well known for her thought-provoking assemblage art which often addresses issues of women, race, and power.
Rhonda embraces many creative labels. She is a mixed media artist, an altar maker, an assemblage artist, a tea maker, a storyteller, an expressive arts facilitator, an avid baker, and the keeper and tender of creative flames at Casa Sanctuary Art House.
In 2021 was my third year as Artist in Residence at the Fredericton Region Museum. I was asked for a creative perspective from the new exhibit opening at the Fredericton Region Museum “Our Black Heritage”.
Upon entering the exhibit which is the replica of the inside of the St. Peters Church, the first desegrated church, the story unfolds of the history of Slaves/Enslaved/Freed Slaves in the York Sudbury Region.
My inspiration jumping off point came from the familiarity of the church which is where my family and I were members of the St. Peters Congregation. The church and the York Sudbury Region has a rich Black History that continues to be discovered.
Mind, Body, Spirit of the Enslaved unfolded as I listened to the stories incorporated within the exhibit. It became important to create what the slaves were about and not the who.
