This community history project began with a question: why do we have so little information today about BIPOC people in Salem’s past? The exhibition retraces BIPOC presence during the Old China Trade era (1784-1844), a time following the American Revolution when Salem rose to prominence as a wealthy port city with global ties. The fortunes built during these decades shaped much of the infrastructure we still live with today.

Highlighting the BIPOC communities and individuals within that era who were part of building Salem, the exhibition also shows how and why they were left out of the story Salem tells about itself. Afterimages invites Salem's communities to see themselves in the story of this city, and to advocate for better historical representation in our public spaces.

The exhibition features contemporary art work from BIPOC artists Alex Chiu,  Elizabeth Solomon and Sarah Kanouse, Kimberly Villafuerte Barzola, Yamanda Wright, and Yanna Marie Orcel in relation to the historical work, and in many cases, bridging past and present representation.

The exhibition was made possible by the contributions of and advice from historians, community institutions, and community members, and from funding from Mass Cultural’s Creative Experiences and Haymarket People’s Fund.