Aurora photographer and photojournalist Donnell Collins talked about how his photo exhibit, "Skillets," was born during a Black History Month presentation Feb. 19 at the Aurora Public Library's Eola Road Branch.
"I call it 'Skillets' because growing up, that word was sometimes used in the neighborhood in a derogatory way," Collins said. "It meant that someone's skin was very dark, like a skillet, and historically, it was very negative. So I flipped it to a positive message."
The birth of "Skillets" came about more than 15 years ago, Collins said. "The idea was to raise the self-esteem of young black females that don't quite fit into the mold of cosmetic companies of what beauty is. I wanted to do something to address that."
"Skillets" opened at the David Pierce Art and History Center in downtown Aurora in October, 2010. It depicted black females of all ages and all skin tones and hair types. The exhibit has been shown at several venues since.
"I noticed within the so-called beauty world that many of us will go out and attempt to purchase what someone else has been naturally blessed with," he said. "We sit in a salon or spa for hours adding on, cooking our skin, changing our eye color, bleaching our skin, avoiding the sun and having no fun.
"God has blessed each of us with things that are unique. Others should appreciate them, but not envy them."
Fifty-five people attended the talk, which was accompanied by a reading performed by the wife and three daughters of Dr. Renard Harlow, author of "101 Recitable Poems for School Age Children."
Collins said the idea for "Skillets" began in his head about 15 years ago, and he plans to add to it for years to come.