For over two decades, 5 Artists 1 Love, an annual Black History Month exhibition, has stood as a powerful testament to what is possible when Black artistry is not only showcased but sustained. Rooted in Edmonton, it has consistently celebrated the depth, range, and brilliance of African-Canadian communities, stretching from Angola to Zanzibar, Togo to Tobago, Brazil to Barbados.
As the exhibition marks its 20th anniversary, there is a clear sense of return and renewal. This year, 20 artists who have participated in 5 Artists 1 Love over the years come back together — each carrying their own evolution, their own voice, their own lived experience. The works presented reflect not only artistic growth, but the layered global and local narratives that continue to inform African-diasporic creativity in this country.
Organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta and curated by Darren W. Jordan, the founder of 5 Artists 1 Love, the exhibition feels less like a retrospective and more like a continuation — a proof that legacy is not something we look back on, but something we actively build.
“It is amazing to see such an event hold strong for Edmonton,” said artist and cultural leader Arlo Maverick. “Darren Jordan, the creator and visionary, is one of the largest employers of Black artists and administrators. His events have brought people together for art and music. He’s done some amazing work. This is a legacy.”
That legacy is evident not only in the artists featured, but in the infrastructure Darren Jordan has built — one that prioritizes employment, representation, and long-term sustainability for Black creatives and cultural workers. In a landscape where so many initiatives struggle to survive, 5 Artists 1 Love has endured, holding space for emerging voices while honouring those who have paved the way.
It stands as a reminder that celebration alone is not enough. What matters is continuity. What matters is care. What matters is creating platforms that allow artists not just to be seen, but to thrive. 20 years on, the work continues. And in that continuation, we see what legacy truly looks like.
