The Black Joy Project showcasing black girls and women at the Spurlock Museum

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - The Spurlock Museum is holding an exhibit dedicated to joy in young black girls and women.

University of Illinois Professor Ruby Mendenhall created the project with help from her colleagues and students. At the exhibit you can find dozens of pictures of black girls and paintings of black women who lost their adult children to gun violence.

"We ask them so, how do you know who you are besides what the church says, besides what society says, and then where do you feel most like yourself. So, you'll see the images of nature, you'll see images where they're surrounded by their family." said Mendenhall.

There are different areas in the exhibit like The Wellness Store or the Reflection space. These areas were created by PhD student, Whitney Clarke.

"It's based on the eight dimensions of wellness where people get to focus on a holistic approach to wellness and to taking care of yourself." said Clarke.

Mendenhall' goal is for people to simply witness black joy and all it's brought into this world.

"See them as people with ideas, ambition. People who have helped to make this country what it is today so when I say beauty I mean all of that." stated Mendenhall.

For more information on the project, click here.