Celebrating Black Artists in the American Circus: Zachary “Skeeter” Reece
The creative brainchild of performer-documentarian Veronica Blair, The Uncle Junior Project is a digital storytelling exhibition that showcases the lives, careers, and contributions of African-American artists throughout circus history and in the present day. This Black History month, we are thrilled to help spread the project’s word by sharing with you some of their latest exhibits. This week’s featured artist is Zachary “Skeeter” Reece.
Growing up between the segregated South and the bustling ghettos of the South Bronx, Skeeter considered himself to be a “chameleon” of sorts. After serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War, Reece found himself disenfranchised. Then a chance meeting with members of the King Charles Unicycle Troupe led Reece to run away with the circus.The ethnically diverse circus environment had a great impact on his outlook on life, and Reece went on to discover a love for clowning and, after extensive training, performed with the Greatest Show on Earth as a featured clown for over a decade.
To learn more about Zachary‘s story and watch his documentary, go to The Uncle Junior Project website or click on the image below.
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The Uncle Junior Project is a community-driven documentary series that gives people the opportunity to learn, celebrate, and take pride in the inspiring history of Blacks in the American circus.
If you’d like to contribute to the preservation and celebration of the history of Black circus performers, please consider donating to The Uncle Junior Project.
UJP Presents:
Entrapment to Entertainment: A Celebration of Black People in the American Circus
February 10, 2023 – June 30, 2023
African-American Arts and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street
San Francisco, Ca 94102
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