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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An evening of cultural appreciation and visual storytelling will highlight this exhibition.

To cap off Black History Month, the “Black Essence Photography Exhibit” will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Studio 404, 404 Messenger St., Johnstown.

“I feel like sometimes with Black history we focus on the past and the past isn’t the nicest, so for the photography exhibit I wanted to focus on the present and the future,” said Camillya Taylor, owner of Camille’s House of Styles Salon and Boutique and founder of Johnstown Fashion Week, who curated the show.

“It’s an exhibit of beautiful people.”

Featured will be black-and-white photographs by six Black photographers – Brenda Yancey Davis, Johnstown; Darius Levine Davis, Harrisburg; Corwin Hall, Pittsburgh; William Pittman, Pittsburgh; Lawrence Smith, Harrisburg; and Tifya Taylor, Johnstown.

“The photographers featured, I’ve worked with in the past for Johnstown Fashion Week,” Taylor said.

“I realized they are bigger than fashion and they do so many more things, so I wanted to exhibit a lot of the beautiful work they have.”

She said much like fashion, art allows people to express themselves individually, tell their stories and celebrate diversity.

“The walls become the catwalk, showcasing the ever-evolving and -captivating expressions of the soul,” Taylor said.

The evening also will feature light hors d’oeuvres, poetry readings and soulful music.

The exhibit will be on display through March 2.

“I hope people will feel uplifted,” Taylor said.

“Sometimes Black History Month can feel sad, but I hope people will feel encouraged and want to move forward and be the best they possibly can.”

All pieces are available for purchase.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Keystone Equity and Empowerment Project, which aims to uplift, empower and strengthen Black communities within western Pennsylvania.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/black-essence-photography-exhibit-tickets-778693452077.

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