SPRINGFIELD – In what used to be the performance area for the former Fat Cat nightclub, two local Black Lives Matter organizers have set up The Ethnic Study, a multi-use cooperative space that will provide a permanent location to continue the work of the movement against systemic racism.

The space at 222 Worthington St. opened officially last week with “BLART: Black Art and Activism,” an exhibit of local artists curated by artist Johnny Miranda of Chicopee. The work of Derrick Jamison, Ruby Parker, Ray Raffaele, Chaunacey Hill, Miranda, Lidya Freytes, Jax Padilla, Sheldon Smith and Emma Mesa Melendez was featured.

Black Lives Matter organizers, Stephany Marryshow and Simbrit Paskins, explained to Reminder Publishing, they saw a need for a physical location at which artists, writers, educators and activists could continue their work.

Marryshow explained the space would allow people “to get to know people outside of the community, and build relationships within the community.”

The goals of the Black Lives Matter movent, Marryshow explained is “not to separate people but to bring them together.”

“After organizing countless protests and community actions, we realized that we needed a physical site to be able to continue long-term antiracism work in our community,” said Paskins, an Ethnic Studies teacher at Holyoke High School. “However, we realized that we didn’t want a traditional office space where we’d be doing the work alone. We decided on a co-working space to create opportunities for collaboration and education in our community.”

Paskins, who grew up in Springfield, believes through the work of Black Lives Matter one can “see things shift for the long term.” She added that systemic racism is “in every aspect of the community.”

Paskins noted the energy of the protests has to be sustainable throughout the year and the intent of The Ethnic Study is to provide a venue for activities and that would sustain that energy.

Memberships in the space will be available on a sliding scale and the space itself could be rented for various activities, the two women explained.

The initial event, the art show, is a perfect example of the use of the space, Paskins noted.

The two women will be applying for non-profit status for their organization.

For more information, go to www.theethnicstudy.org.