Newport News Artist Turns Black Cowboy Roots Into A Full-Circle Exhibition |
Newport News Artist Explores Black Cowboy Roots In Downing-Gross Exhibition |
Christopher Diont’e did not start this journey trying to make a history lesson.
He was following a feeling.
For years, Diont’e felt pulled toward horses, cattle, open land, and cowboy culture. It was not always something people around him understood. But the more he learned, the more that pull started to make sense.
His search into Black cowboy history in Virginia led him to a name he already knew: Callis. It was his family name. Behind it was a story much bigger than he expected.
Diont’e learned that his ancestors, Ira Callis and Ruffin Callis, were enslaved in Louisiana before making their way to Virginia after the Civil War. They were skilled horsemen, blacksmiths, and land builders. After freedom, they bought 1,500 acres and helped create a community called Freeman, Virginia.
Suddenly, Diont’e’s love for horses and land did not feel random. It felt inherited. Like something had been waiting for him in the soil.
That discovery helped shape his exhibition, Ancestral Soil: 1865 — The Foundation of Freeman, Virginia, now on display at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center through August 15.
The show blends family history, Black cowboy culture, land ownership, memory, and art. Visitors will find ancestor images, garments, drawings, fabric work, and pieces that feel less like decoration and more like testimony.
Diont’e is also thinking about what comes next. He still owns family land connected to Freeman and hopes to one day create a space where history, horses, art, and community can live together.
So yes, this is an art show. But it is also a family reunion, a land story, and a reminder that history is not always buried in books. Sometimes it is waiting in a name, a field, a photograph, or a feeling you cannot explain until you finally trace it back.
Newport News gives this story a powerful stage at Downing-Gross. But the roots run much deeper. |
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Shows like this need to travel outside Newport News too. So much to share.
Not sure everyone relates to cowboy stuff, but this is moving
That last line about roots hit home. So true.
Feels special that Newport News is hosting this. I’ve driven past Downing-Gross a hundred times, never realized so much lived inside.
I drive past Downing-Gross almost every week, never thought to stop in. Changing that!
I’m glad kids will see ancestors who look like them as cowboys
History is more than books, agreed. Can’t wait to visit.
Not my usual thing but I’m intrigued. May check it out.
We're glad to hear the story caught your interest, Diont’e’s show truly offers a unique blend of history and art if you decide to visit.
I appreciate what he’s doing, but I wish it didn’t take an art exhibit for these stories to get told. There’s a lot about Virginia’s Black history we never learn in school.
Going to make a trip to Downing-Gross before August. Thanks for the heads up.
Charlene B.Same here! Let me know what you think if you get there before I do. I always find something new at Downing-Gross.
Delighted to hear you’ll visit, Downing-Gross is a wonderful space to experience this history firsthand before August 15.
1,500 acres, that’s wild. Hard even to imagine now.
Would be nice if schools taught stories like this. Real local roots.
That’s a great point, local histories like this provide powerful context and inspiration for students and communities alike.
Crazy to think his family bought 1,500 acres after being enslaved
Downing-Gross always has the coolest shows
So much history buried right here in VA. Diont’e did a good thing digging it up.
You’re right, so much local history deserves to be uncovered, and Diont’e’s journey shows the power of searching our roots.
Wish the article showed more pics of the artwork! Sounds amazing.
Thank you for the feedback! While we couldn’t include more images here, visiting the exhibition in person offers the full experience of Diont’e’s remarkable work.
Those photos must be powerful to see up close.
I wish mainstream museums would do more stuff like this, not just one center.
The way he describes the land pulling him, I feel that about my family too.
Always thought cowboy stuff was just out west. Glad Virginia gets some spotlight.
I hope he gets that dream space with horses and art one day.
Absolutely, his vision for a community space is inspiring, and we’re rooting for him right alongside you.
I hope he really does open a space with horses, sounds awesome
Is this show kid-friendly? Would love to take my niece.
My grandfather was a blacksmith. Makes me wonder what ancestors I’m missing too.
Wish more folks talked about this part of local history
The Black cowboy part is my favorite bit. Always wanted to know more!
Downing-Gross doing good work by hosting this.
Stories like this remind me how much history gets forgotten. Glad it isn’t.
Hope Diont’e gets his dream space built one day.
I want to see those garments and drawings. Sounds moving.
Grew up near Downing-Gross, never realized the history there. Learned something new.
Thank you for sharing! Exploring local stories like this reminds us how much history is woven into familiar places.
More people need to hear about Black cowboys. Love this!
We agree, stories of Black cowboys like Diont’e’s ancestors are an important part of American history that deserves the spotlight.
Riding horses runs deep in some families. This hits home.
Is the show free to visit?
I like what he’s planning with the family land. If there’s a way to visit one day, I’d be interested. Virginia needs more spaces honoring this history.
I grew up near Freeman. Didn’t know the background. Thanks for bringing it out.
Wish more families could find their stories too.
Art can really keep the past alive. Respect.
Beautiful how he connects his art with his ancestors
Love seeing Black cowboy culture get some spotlight
Never heard of Freeman, Virginia before, wow.
Always thought my love of gardening was random until I found out my great grandma ran a farm. Stories like his make me think there’s something to that.
I’m going to try and catch this show at Downing-Gross before it closes. Sounds moving. Those ancestor photos must be powerful to see in person.
My grandma used to tell us stories about Freeman. Cool to see it honored.
Had no idea there was a place called Freeman, VA. Sounds like the name really fits. Good on Diont’e for sharing his family’s story.
1,500 acres! That’s amazing. Their hard work paid off.
Thank you for sharing this. History we don’t learn in school.
Never knew Downing-Gross had exhibits like this. I need to go!
Diont’e’s family sounds so strong. That’s legacy.
Gotta check out that exhibit before August
Such a beautiful way to honor your ancestors. I wish more people talked about Black cowboy history, it’s so much deeper than most folks realize.
Love hearing about Black cowboy history. Didn’t even know about Freeman, VA.
So happy to see art tell stories like this.
Wow, this is beautiful.
So inspiring to see his family story shared like this
What a beautiful tribute to his family. Wish I could see the exhibit.