This Wheaton Conversation episode is an insightful presentation and discussion about African masks and masquerades. Ira L. Bond and Richard Robinson, Jr. not only make masks but perform with them for ceremonies and public events. They discuss the deep connections between masks, rituals, music, and dance and their meanings and relevance in traditional African cultures. The artistry and aesthetics of the African masks, as well as their ritual and social roles, are be interpreted in the context of the African worldview and belief systems. As Ira Bond explains, “I want to share the legacy of our ancestors that are part of my identity as African American. This way, we also provide the cultural continuity of traditions that have been translated from West Africa to America.”

On March 21, 2024, this discussion took place as part of “Wheaton Conversations,” a virtual series highlighting a diverse community of Artists. Learn more at

Produced by WheatonArts in Millville, NJ. Thank you to our sponsors, PNC Arts Alive & the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass….(read more)

LEARN MORE ABOUT: IRA Accounts

INVESTING IN A GOLD IRA: Gold IRA Account

INVESTING IN A SILVER IRA: Silver IRA Account

REVEALED: Best Gold Backed IRA

Wheaton Conversations: Visualizing Ancestral Connections with Richard Robinson Jr. & Ira L. Bond

In a world where we are constantly connected to technology and bombarded with information, it can be difficult to slow down and truly connect with our roots. However, artists Richard Robinson Jr. and Ira L. Bond are on a mission to help people visualize their ancestral connections through their unique and powerful artwork.

As part of the Wheaton Conversations series, Robinson and Bond recently held a special event at the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, New Jersey. The event, titled “Visualizing Ancestral Connections,” aimed to explore the ways in which art can help us better understand our past and connect with our ancestors.

Robinson, a mixed media artist, uses a variety of materials in his work, including handmade papers, found objects, and natural elements. His artwork often focuses on themes of family, heritage, and identity, drawing on his own personal experiences as a Black man in America.

Bond, on the other hand, is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and performance art. His work often explores themes of history, memory, and the African diaspora, drawing on his own family history and experiences as a Black man in the United States.

Together, Robinson and Bond create powerful and thought-provoking art that challenges viewers to confront their own ancestral connections and consider how they fit into the larger tapestry of history. Through their work, they aim to engage audiences in a dialogue about the past, present, and future, and to inspire them to explore their own roots and heritage.

At the Wheaton Conversations event, Robinson and Bond led a series of interactive workshops and discussions, inviting participants to explore their own ancestral connections through art-making and storytelling. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on their own family histories, traditions, and cultural heritage, and to consider how these aspects of their identity have shaped who they are today.

Through these activities, participants were able to connect with one another on a deeper level, sharing their own stories and experiences and learning from one another’s perspectives. By engaging with their own ancestral connections in a creative and collaborative setting, attendees were able to gain a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Overall, the Wheaton Conversations event with Richard Robinson Jr. and Ira L. Bond was a powerful and transformative experience for all involved. By using art as a tool for exploring ancestral connections, Robinson and Bond have helped to foster a sense of community, connection, and understanding among participants, encouraging them to embrace their own heritage and history.

As we continue to navigate a rapidly changing and often disconnected world, events like Wheaton Conversations serve as a reminder of the power of art to bring us together, inspire us, and help us make sense of our place in the world. Through their compelling artwork and thought-provoking conversations, Richard Robinson Jr. and Ira L. Bond are helping us to visualize our ancestral connections and embrace our own roots, one brushstroke at a time.