We Belong Here: The Gutierrez Collection is the first public exhibition of a collection of contemporary art built over the past decade by North Carolina–based collectors Onay Gutierrez and Jeff Childers. In their words, "The Gutierrez Collection aims to create a space where art becomes a platform for dialogue and understanding across a broad spectrum of identities and perspectives."
We Belong Here features over 40 works created in the 21st century by over 40 international contemporary artists working in a broad range of media, engaged with current social, political, cultural, and personal issues. Artists include Anthony Akinbola, Saif Azzuz, Monica Kim Garza, Jeffrey Gibson, Hayv Kahraman, Beverly McIver, Zanele Muholi, Angel Otero, Deborah Roberts, Tavares Strachan, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley, among many others.
Gutierrez and Childers, who began their collection in 2015, describe their collecting philosophy as "revolving around the contemporary cultural landscape of their time through a cross section of artistic voices primarily from underrepresented communities." As collectors, they prioritize artists who deviate from traditional or expected approaches to their medium, and who employ unique techniques to convey specific narratives. Their collection reflects contemporary ideas around mental health; LGBTQ rights; Latin/Latinx, African, and African Diasporic identities; as well as broader explorations of activism, protest, and civil disobedience.
This exhibition is made possible through the support of Onay Gutierrez and Jeffrey Childers and is co-organized with the Cameron Art Museum/CAM in Wilmington, NC. On view at CAM: April 23–September 7, 2025; on view at the NCMA Winston-Salem October 23–December 27, 2025.