Novelist Toni Morrison was the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and won a Pulitzer prize for her novel “Beloved”. Her novels are known for their epic themes, exquisite language and richly detailed African American characters who are central to their narratives.*

Join us for a live reading of Toni Morrison’s first novel “The Bluest Eye” with readers from all kinds of backgrounds coming together to give life to Toni Morrison’s beautiful creation. This is a free and open event with ongoing reading from 12pm - 5pm, feel free to come in and out or stay with us the entire time!

“Morrison's books introduced me to the concepts of colorism, to folk tales about tar babies and black folk who could fly. Her work took me to a world that destabilized the white gaze and audaciously shut it out.” - Arielle Gray, writer and Arts Engagement Producer for The ARTery

After the reading, Arielle will be leading a panel discussion about Toni Morrison’s work, impact and legacy. Panelists to be announced soon!

Saturday, February 22th

Doors open at 11:30am / Reading starting at 12:00pm / Panel starts at 5pm

CROMA @ ASC - Entrance on 20 Arlington Street Alley

Tickets are free, food and drinks will be available for purchase

Interested in participating and reading a portion of “The Bluest Eye” at this special event? Email us at agoraculturalarchitects@gmail.com

About The Bluest Eye:

Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, prays every day for beauty. Mocked by other children for the dark skin, curly hair, and brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for normalcy, for the blond hair and blue eyes that she believes will allow her to finally fit in. Yet as her dream grows more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife. A powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity, Toni Morrison’s virtuosic first novel asks powerful questions about race, class, and gender with the subtlety and grace that have always characterized her writing.

This event is brought to you by Ágora Cultura Architects, the ARTery at WBUR and Boston Literary District.

* https://www.biography.com/writer/toni-morrison