Reimagining Black Identity, Strength, and Vulnerability Music Performance

"Art is Business"  February 21, 2025   

This art exhibit explores the multifaceted healing nature of Black identity, shedding light on the complex intersections of strength, vulnerability, history, and future within the Black experience. We invite artists of all mediums—visual art, sculpture, photography, performance, and beyond—to submit works that address the evolving narrative of Blackness in contemporary society.

The exhibit will showcase pieces that reframe traditional representations, inviting viewers to engage with themes of resilience, introspection, liberation, and the ever-shifting contours of identity. Artists are encouraged to challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions of Blackness, emphasizing the beauty and power of embracing vulnerability and quiet strength in moments of resistance, defiance, and healing.

We are looking for works that speak to the full range of Black-lived experiences, capturing both the triumphs and the struggles, the joy and the pain, the collective memory and individual expression. The exhibit aims to create space for reflection, dialogue, and healing while embracing the depth and complexity that define Blackness.

This exhibit will offer a new, unapologetically authentic, challenging, and transformative vision by reimagining Black identity healing, strength, and vulnerability. Artists are encouraged to draw upon personal narratives, cultural history, and current social movements to inspire their work, creating an environment where art becomes a tool for collective healing, liberation, and empowerment.

Phantom Gallery Chicago Network Moved to Speaker

"Art is Business"  https://www.spreaker.com/organization/phantom-gallery-chicago--13250816

Phantom Gallery Chicago is a project that examines the current changes in curatorial production, develops innovative displays, and hosts talks in virtual spaces. 

Throughout the years, BlogTalkRadio has been a staple in many households and has reached listeners worldwide since 2006. Bringing hosts, guests, and listeners together through conversation is a unique way of connecting with others while sharing news, telling stories, and getting information out to millions.We are so thankful for the support and creativity that you have brought to our platform.

While no other platforms offer the live guest call-in option, we want to let you know about our sister company, Spreaker, where we can place an easy redirect to ensure the safety of your podcast.

You can find us on our Pop Up Research Station and join the Public Think Tanks and Virtual CAFE.

I didn't get the memo that this platform was closing, effective January 31st, 2025, so I could download the MP3 to my external drive. BlogTalkRadio is no longer in operation, and we must say goodbye to you, our loyal users. This means that some of the data collected has been lost unless I transferred it to the Speaker. A reminder to download and save content onto backup drives. This website was also linked to our Internet Archives. I will need to upload the MP3s and another video recording MP4s from our ZOOM videos as a direct link instead of a link connected to a website, as these platforms are closing down.

You can also find our MP3 uploaded to the Phantom Gallery Chicago YouTube Studio. 

Exploring legacy: must-see Black History Month art and culture in Sacramento

"Art is Business"  SacObserver.com , by Solving Sacramento February 14, 2025

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum Founder Shonna McDaniels

 in front of a museum art display. The SOJO Museum in 

Sacramento is known for its extensive collection of historical Black art. (Photo by Diane Mitchell)

Founded by visual artist and community leader Shonna McDaniels, the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum is a cultural jewel housed in Sacramento’s Florin Square, a historic hub and marketplace designed around Pan-Africanism. 

Guided by the Ghanaian principle of “Sankofa” — meaning to “go back and fetch it” — the museum encourages visitors to delve into the past to better understand the present.

“We have to go back and fetch what was lost. Everyone needs to know about Africans' contributions to the world. Most people do not know the truth,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels’ journey to become an art activist began in childhood. “My parents believed having a strong sense of identity was essential. Our home was filled with Black art,” said McDaniels, who grew up in Sacramento. “I attended Shule Jumamosa [an African-centred school] in Oak Park in 1971, where we learned Swahili, celebrated Kwanzaa, and practiced African dance.”

A journey through history

A display depicts the Transatlantic Slave Trade on view at the 

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. (Photo by Diane Mitchell)

Walking into the museum feels like stepping into a living timeline. It features installations that spark conversation. One standout is the “Golden Milk Project,” designed by McDaniels herself. This installation confronts the historical practice of enslaved African women being forced to breastfeed the children of their enslavers.

“There’s a strong connection formed when a mother breastfeeds her baby — recognizing the mother’s face, feeling nurtured and taking in all the benefits of the milk,” McDaniels said. “But these women’s own children were neglected, as they were denied the same nurturing from their mothers.”

Youth docent and Sacramento City College student Myana Myrica in the 

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. (Photo by Diane Mitchell)

This installation is one of many exhibits at the museum that offers a powerful and unique portrayal of the Black experience — and youth docents are often onsite to provide their insights into the space.

Youth docent and Sacramento City College student Myana Myrica often begins her tours by encouraging visitors to breathe in preparation for the heavy emotions the museum may evoke. “Breathing and being in the space with each other allows us to feel connected and know we’re not alone,” she said. 

The museum’s visual journey begins in ancient Africa, with statues depicting ancestors, animals, and deities, symbolizing humanity’s origins. Some art installations also challenge current narratives of the transatlantic slave trade, such as Lee McCormick’s mixed-media piece portraying the harrowing journey of enslaved Africans, a haunting reminder that Africans in the Americas were stolen and did not immigrate here merely as workers.

Why it matters

Despite the cultural and historical significance of the SOJO Museum — the only of its kind in Sacramento that focuses on Black history and art — increased patronization could help its longevity, according to McDaniels.

Ancient African Art at the 

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum (Photo by Diane Mitchell)

“We need everyone involved to ensure the museum is being supported. Currently, we do not have it,” McDaniels said. “We’re the only museum of this nature training children as docents. Now, our efforts are being duplicated around the world.”

“As we enter a time when accessing information about diverse people or thoughts is being challenged, exposure to art and literature becomes even more critical,” artist Daphne Burgess, whose work “Snappin’ Beans” is displayed at the museum, said. “Spaces like the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum are essential, and Black History Month is the perfect time to support them.

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum is open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

Art beyond the museum

For those seeking even more artistic engagement this Black History Month, 

Sacramento offers two other significant events:

The “Golden Milk Project,” designed by Shonna McDaniels, is an installation at the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum that confronts the historical practice of enslaved African women being forced to breastfeed the children of their enslavers. (Photo by Diane Mitchell)

August Wilson's Fences will be at Celebration Arts from Feb. 14 to March 2. This powerful play explores the complex dynamics of race, family, and dreams deferred. Known for its gripping storytelling, Fences is a must-see for those who appreciate theatre’s role in social commentary.

Gerald “GOS” Simpson's “Urban Abstractions: A Solo Exhibition” is on view at Arthouse on R Gallery & Studios from now through March 3. Simpson’s work explores urban life through vibrant colors and abstract forms.

Arthouse on R Gallery & Studios is open Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics and protocols, the city had no editorial influence over this story, and no city official had reviewed it before it was published. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer, and Univision 19. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.

Dear Chicago Arts Partner VOTE Daily to support the Bronzeville Arts District

"Art is Business"

We’re excited to share that USA Today’s 10 Best Readers & Choice Awards has nominated the Bronzeville Arts District as America's Best Arts District!

This is a huge opportunity to shine a national spotlight on Bronzeville’s incredible businesses, vibrant community, and diverse art scene. 

As you know, the Bronzeville Arts District has held its annual Trolley Tour for two decades. We also host dozens of visual arts exhibits and musical, dance, and spoken word performances yearly. This nomination demonstrates the incredible power of our South Side arts community. We would love to inform the nation what we’re up to by being named NUMBER ONE!!

Courtesy of Raymond A. Thomas Studio

We’ll win by earning the most votes, so how about your love for our community? Vote daily

until February 17. As a valued arts partner, we’d also appreciate your spreading

the word to your network.

Let’s bring this recognition home!

Here’s the link to vote: 

Thanks so much.

BRONZEVILLE ARTS DISTRICT

Bridgeport’s Zhou B Art Center Hosting Black History Month Festival Of The Arts

"Art is Business" reposted: by Grace Xue,   January 17, 2025, Bridgeport, Chinatown, McKinley Park

Bridgeport’s Zhou B Art Center Hosting Black History Month Festival Of The Arts

The local non-profit OH Art Foundation is bringing 27 African American artists together for a month of visual art and live performances.

Visitors looking at artwork at Zhou B Art Center Credit: Provided/Facebook

BRIDGEPORT — Twenty-seven African American artists will transform the Zhou B Art Center this Friday as the OH Art Foundation launches its inaugural Black History Month Festival of the Arts.

The festival, hosted by the Bridgeport-based nonprofit, invites visitors to explore reimagined themes of identity, strength, and vulnerability through diverse artistic expressions, ranging from paintings to orchestral compositions.

“In The Valley of The Sun” and other works by Bronzeville-based acrylic artist Jeffery Beckham will be featured in the Black History Month Arts Festival. Credit: Provided

The opening-night celebration starts at 7 p.m. Friday and will include musical performances by Marvin Hathaway, the Ari Brown Quintet, and Emoni Brown-Bey. Another reception on Feb. 21 will feature performances by Taalib-Din Ziyad, Coco Elysses and Draizig, Edward Wilkerson Jr., and Donovan Mixon. More information is available on the OH Art Foundation website.

“In The Valley of The Sun” and other works by Bronzeville-based acrylic artist Jeffery Beckham will be featured in the Black History Month Arts Festival. Credit: Provided

The OH Art Foundation has become a vital addition to the cultural fabric of Bridgeport and Chicago’s South Side. Located in the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W 35th St. — a former industrial building transformed by the Zhou brothers into a creative hub in 2004 — the foundation continues to expand the center’s artistic legacy.

InJung Oh, daughter-in-law of the elder Zhou brother, founded the OH Art Foundation; the name stands for “Open Horizon,” reflecting its mission to inspire creativity and broaden perspectives through diverse cultural arts.

Since founding the organization in 2013, Oh said she has been exploring ways to celebrate cultural diversity through the arts. After the pandemic, she envisioned hosting festivals during various cultural heritage months. However, initially relying solely on personal funding, she said the organization struggled to finance even a single festival.

The Black History Month Festival of Arts exhibition space by OH Art Foundation is on the second floor of Zhou B Art Center. Credit: Grace Xue/Block Club Chicago

In 2023, after receiving grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council, the foundation celebrated its first Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival of the Arts. After that success, the foundation added a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration last year.

With this year’s Black History Month festival, Oh said she hopes to establish these three cultural celebrations as annual traditions as she continues applying for grants for future years.

“Living in Bridgeport for the past 15 years, I’ve seen many changes in its cultural diversity,” Oh said. “In the past, you didn’t see many artists of color, but now, places like the Bridgeport storage have turned into an art center, and the Ramova Theatre just opened last year … It’s really good to have community leaders who believe in us and want to support the arts in the neighborhood.”

Staff installing artwork for the Black History Month Festival of Arts on the second floor of Zhou B Art Center. Credit: Grace Xue/Block Club Chicago

“Reimagining Black Identity”

Renee Baker, a celebrated visual artist, composer, curator, and co-curator Wisdom Baty, curated the exhibition, “Reimagining Black Identity, Strength and Vulnerability.”

Baker emphasizes the importance of showcasing the range of Black art, from abstract works to performance art, challenging monolithic stereotypes that limit Black art to representations of Black people.

“The Black imagination is limitless,” she said. “It was gratifying to see that Black artists, like all artists, were not allowing themselves to be pigeonholed because the expressions were all across the spectrum.”

“Father I Stretch My Hands” by Bronzeville-based acrylic artist Jefferey Beckham. Credit: Provided

Among the featured artists is Jeffery Beckham, a Bronzeville-based acrylic artist and CEO of Chicago Scholars. His contributions include “TU Flyboys,” a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen; “In The Valley of The Sun,” a work dedicated to brotherhood and sisterhood; and “Father I Stretch My Hands,” which depicts a poignant moment of a Black child in prayer.

“Wanting to have works that reflected the power and the beauty of the black community, I thought of these three pieces when InJung and I talked about reimagining black identity, strength and vulnerability, you kind of get a little bit of all in each work,” Beckham said.

Visitors looking at artwork at Zhou B Art Center. Credit: Provided/Facebook

Baker is not only curating will also present her work “Dark Symphony: Movement Three,” a large-scale graphic score designed for orchestra, painted in acrylic on canvas.

As the interim chair of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, Baker has partnered with Oh to bring six live performances to the opening day and on Feb. 21. These experimental soundscapes will complement the visual works, creating an immersive experience for attendees.

“I’m hoping that people come with little expectation,” Baker said. “Just come and take in the product of all these Black minds that took the time to create and put their expressions on paper or canvas.”

Oh acknowledges the financial challenges many artists face and emphasizes the importance of compensating all creative contributors despite the festival's modest budget.

“As an artist myself, being able to run this program and give back to artists, taking care of them and seeing this long-held vision finally manifesting, is incredibly exciting,” she said.

Poster of Black History Month Festival of Arts by the OH Art Foundation at Zhou B Art Center. Credit: Grace Xue/Block Club Chicago

The Black History Month Festival of the Arts runs from Friday through March 16 at OH Art Foundation on the second floor of Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St.

Admission is free, inviting all to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of African American culture and creativity. Visit the exhibition website for information and a complete list of featured artists.

“Reimagining Black Identity, Strength, and Vulnerability”

"Art is Business" https://ohartfoundation.org/.

Celebrating Black History Month, OH Art Foundation presents an opening reception on January 17h, 2025, and a Closing reception on February 21st, 2025, with OH Art Foundation at Zhou B Art Center in Chicago. The visual exhibition was curated by Renee Bakers and Wisdom Baty and promises to be a significant celebration of Black History Month, showcasing 27 selected visual artists 

6 Music performances selected by Jeff Chen, 

Selected Artists:  Takako Konishi, Alexy Irving, Margot McMahon, Le'Trice Buckingham, Alpha Bruton, Arlene Turner-Crawford, Grandeast Wright, Lavon Pettis, Alexandra Henderson, Wisdom Baty, Malika Jackson, Summer Coleman, Andrea Hill Fitzgerald, Jason Campbell, Lenin Delsol,

Nichole Masani Landfair, Isaiah Afrumu, Safiya Mirsberger Tolson, Dysen White, Scout Cartagena, Sebastian Sandu, Sharmarke Ahmed, Jeffery Beckham, Christopher Williams, Nolan W. McCants, Renee' Baker, Brandy Kent.

Music Performance Schedule January 17, 2025

Marvin Hathaway

The Ari Brown Quartet

Emoni Brown-Bey

February 21, 2025

Taalib-Din Ziyad

Coco Elysses and Draizig

Edward Wilkerson Jr. and Donovan Mixon

Thank you, Renee Baker of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, for matching donations to support musicians.

Oh Art Foundation

Zhou B. Art Center

1029 W. 35th St.

Chicago, IL 60609

773-569-8582 

Curators: Renee Baker and Wisdom Baty

This art exhibit explores the multifaceted healing nature of Black identity, shedding light on the complex intersections of strength, vulnerability, history, and future within the Black experience. The exhibit will showcase pieces that reframe traditional representations, inviting viewers to engage with themes of resilience, introspection, liberation, and the ever-shifting contours of identity.

Location: OH Art Foundation 2nd fl of Zhou B Art Center, 
1029 W. 35th St. Chicago, IL 60609
Exhibition Dates:  1/17/25- 3/16/25 

This art exhibit explores the multifaceted healing nature of Black identity, shedding light on the complex intersections of strength, vulnerability, history, and future within the Black experience. We invite artists of all mediums—visual art, sculpture, photography, performance, and beyond—to submit works that address the evolving narrative of Blackness in contemporary society.

The exhibit will showcase pieces that reframe traditional representations, inviting viewers to engage with themes of resilience, introspection, liberation, and the ever-shifting contours of identity. Artists are encouraged to challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions of Blackness, emphasizing the beauty and power of embracing vulnerability and quiet strength in moments of resistance, defiance, and healing.

We are looking for works that speak to the full range of Black-lived experiences, capturing both the triumphs and the struggles, the joy and the pain, the collective memory and individual expression. The exhibit aims to create space for reflection, dialogue, and healing while embracing the depth and complexity that define Blackness.

This exhibit will offer a new, unapologetically authentic, challenging, and transformative vision by reimagining Black identity healing, strength, and vulnerability. Artists are encouraged to draw upon personal narratives, cultural history, and current social movements to inspire their work, creating an environment where art becomes a tool for collective healing, liberation, and empowerment.

Passing of President Jimmy Carter Celebrating his Support for and Engagement with the Arts.

"Art is Business"

Following the recent passing of President Jimmy Carter, the news has been full of his impact on U.S. environmental policy and human rights. We were glad to see this article in ARTNews celebrating his support for and engagement with the arts, particularly during his presidency. Carter signed the bill that doubled the NEA’s budget and had a clear vision of the relationship between public and private funding to support the arts. Beyond his presidency, Carter was involved with the NEA’s Your Town program (now called the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design) and participated in two sessions hosted in Plains, Georgia, his hometown and life-long residence. 

Plains, GA

At 83 years old, President Carter rode his bicycle to the workshop, reinforcing everyone’s desire to create more walkable and livable communities. The workshop speakers and exercises focused on building civic capacity and leadership skills within the Latino community, as well as the inclusion of manufactured housing into existing community fabric.

The last time Your Town was in Plains, Georgia, was 2002, with a workshop focused on the issues faced by historically African American communities. At that workshop, President Jimmy Carter suggested that Future Your Town be focused on the Latino communities in Georgia. From December 13-16, 2007, Su Cuidad (Your Town) hosted 25 community leaders from throughout Georgia. Pratt Cassity, Public Service and Outreach Director from the University of Georgia School of Environmental Design, coordinated the workshop. Joining Pratt were groups of colleagues from UGA that specialized in the issues facing the Latino community.

The workshop speakers and exercises focused on building civic capacity and leadership skills within the Latino community. The design problem addressed the inclusion of manufactured housing into the existing community fabric.

Maurice Cox, the Endowment’s new Director of Design, attended the entire workshop. This was Mr. Cox’s first Your Town experience, and it was wonderful that he could see the workshop in its entirety.  The keynote speaker canceled at the last moment, and Maurice volunteered to speak. The participants all found his presentation inspirational and perfect for the needs of the workshop.

As we had hoped, President Jimmy Carter stopped by to say hello to the workshop participants. Pratt gave President Carter a symbolic key to Your Town. At 83 years old, President Carter rode his bicycle to the workshop, reinforcing everyone’s desire to create more walkable and livable communities.

-Excerpted from Your Town: Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design, Update, Fall, 2007

SOJO Museum Art in Placemaking AARP

Kwanzaa Celebrations Begin in Sacramento

Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that affirms African family and social values and is celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. The name and the celebration were devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach and an important Afrocentric figure. Karenga borrowed the word kwanza, meaning “first,” from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, adding the seventh letter, an extra a, to make the word long enough to accommodate one letter for each of the seven children present at an early celebration. (The name Kwanzaa is not itself a Swahili word.) The concept of Kwanzaa draws on Southern African first-fruits celebrations.

EAC BIPOC Curatorial Fellowship

"Art is Business" https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/callforcurators

Inspiring art education, exhibitions, and expression for all.

❄️ Fellowship and Exhibition Opportunities! ❄️

At the Art Center this Week...

We have upcoming Exhibition Opportunities! Look at our Curatorial Fellowship Application and Student Biennial Call for Artists below.

The EAC is excited to be collecting applications for our 6th BIPOC Annual Curatorial Fellowship. The EAC is seeking a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) curator with ties to communities of color in Evanston and the Chicago Metro area to create an exhibition and related materials. The curator will choose the exhibition's subject, theme, and content, with the EAC acting as a facilitator. The EAC intends that such an exhibit will build new ties to historically underrepresented groups and introduce Evanston and the greater Chicago area to new curatorial and artistic perspectives.

That's all for now, see you at the Center!

The Evanston Art Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is generously supported by the following: 

The Evanston Arts Council, a city agency supported by the City of Evanston; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency; Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation, and the Grainger Foundation

Exhibitions are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sandy Holman- The SPIRIT of JUSTICE

"Art is Business"

Sandy Holman, Executive Director 

Tuesday Truth: Good morning, Beloved. Peace, Hope, and determination to all of you. In times like the ones we are in, several things can happen. We, understandably, can shrink back in fear since we know there are consequences to standing on the side of love, truth, justice, equality, and equity and doing what we know needs to be done.  We also can begin to normalize abhorrent behaviors to justify not doing the right thing and find the courage we need to take a stand against crimes against humanity. 

We may go completely silent, blend in with the status quo, even when it is wrong, and justify horrible things being done to others to feel ok about our inaction. Some will act as if all is well because of the overwhelming nature of what is facing us. Others will justify the harm to others by saying, "Well, they must have done something wrong for that to happen to them," when we know that much more is happening in a given situation. 

Of course, some want to let others take the lead and fight against oppressive acts so that they can personally stay safe, even if they benefit from someone who is persecuted since they are on the front lines. 

Some say, "It's not going to be as bad as you think," or "God is in control," forgetting that the first statement is often based on the perception that no harm is going to come to them, personally, and the second one forgets that it's Faith and Works that go together. All of the above starts out in small steps. We don't do that event, training, community gathering, supporting target groups, participating in proactive interventions, and many other things that represent hope, solidarity, and determination to "follow the long-term arc towards justice." We can all relate to all the above or at least one or two things. 

No judgment here, just a reminder to be careful about these things. Doing the above has us where we are today. Doing the above leads to massive chaos and increased danger to everyone. Doing the above has put whole countries in extreme turmoil and has even led to horrific happenings on our watch. We cannot stand idle and act only when something terrible happens to us personally. We are each other’s hope. I hope this book encourages you. 

Hopefully, God and Our Ancestors will too. We all have fears. I know I do. Though I am not surprised by what I see in our country and world, my heart is extremely impacted by it. I especially feel for our young people. However, if we do our small part, " we can help someone, or at least keep from hurting them." Peace and Purple Love

Relational Moves | Theaster Gates: Young Lords and Their Traces

2,560 views  Jan 11, 2023

In "Theaster Gates: Young Lords and Their Traces," artist Theaster Gates honors the radical thinkers who have influenced his practice by sharing objects, letters, and archives that hold the spirit and memory of his dearly departed. From Bell Hook's Bell to Russian scholar Robert Byrd's archive of literature and academia to Arthur Jafa's eulogy for Virgil Abloh, Gates's personal museum shapes his grief.

Theaster Gates (b. 1973) is an American sculptor and mixed media artist. Gates's sculptural practice uses salvaged materials and archived found objects. Gates has won numerous awards and honors including the Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts (2021); the Kurt Schwitters Prize (2018); the Nasher Sculpture Prize (2018); Artes Mundi 6; and the New School Vera List Center Prize for Art and Politics (2012).

Subscribe to the New Museum: https://newmu.org/XLVLbx.

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Relational Moves | Theaster Gates: Young Lords and Their Traces 

On view from November 10, 2022 to February 5, 2023