JCAL Commemorates Juneteenth with Free Screening of the Classic Film The Inkwell and New Exhibition

The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) commemorates Juneteenth with an evening of visual art and film exploring liberation, cultural memory, and Black joy. The program begins at 6 pm with the opening reception for Under the Plantain Tree: Notes on Liberation, a Visual Voices exhibition curated by Dr. Margarita Lila Rosa featuring works by Ronald “EFE” Ramirez, Jeffrey Merris, Zion Estrada, Laurena Finéus, and Luis Gutierrez. Under the Plantain Tree: Notes on Liberation runs through August 14.

Complementing the exhibition, JCAL will host a free screening of The Inkwell,- the beloved coming-of-age romantic comedy set in the historic Black summer enclave of Martha’s Vineyard - at 7pm. Directed by Matty Rich and featuring a standout cast including Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Morris Chestnut, and Glynn Turman, the film offers a vibrant portrayal of Black youth, family, and identity. The screening will be followed by an interactive Q&A creating space for reflection and dialogue around representation, nostalgia, and the enduring significance of Black storytelling. Q&A participants will include Patricia Haggler, PhD, Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy & Anthropology at York College, City University of New York.