Homegrown!

This is a must see! Shoot me an email if you need tickets... you can also get them at Left Bank & Subterranean Books.

HOMEGROWN-St. Louis' Organic Racism, Loni's Story
A new One-Act play written and directed by Masei followed by a Playback Theatre performance in which audience members tell true moments and stories of racism in St. Louis and watch the actors and musicians play their stories back to HONOR them and allow the audience to bear witness to the stories.

WHAT: HOMEGROWN- St. Louis' Organic Racism, Loni's Story followed by a Playback Theatre Performance

WHEN: January, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 and 29, 30 and 31
Friday and Saturday evenings 8:00pm and Sunday Matinee 3:00pm

WHERE: January 8, 9, 10- Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center
January 15, 16 and 17- The Rowen Community Center
January 22, 23, 24 COLT Safety Building
January 29, 30 and 31- The Ethical Society
Tickets are $10.00 at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Group discounts for 12 or more. Contact Masei at (314)397-0733 Reservations are not required, but will be taken starting December 1st. There is limited seating for the weekends of January 15, 16, 17 and 22, 23, 24

PWT Artistic Director Jacqueline Masei has been creating Homegrown, St. Louis Organic Racism/Loni's story since the fall of 2008. Playback Workshop Theater in partnership with the Diversity Awareness Partnership, The YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis presents, “Homegrown: St. Louis Organic Racism, a one-act play that tells the love story of a couple who move to Missouri together, one originally from St. Louis, the other a newcomer from another state. While addressing racial diversity issues is inherent and organic in our region, the storyline weaves an authentic patchwork of scenes which show how societal differences in the region became a true challenge to the relationship of the 2 people involved.

The play is followed by a playback theatre performance facilitated by Playback Workshop Theatre's Artistic Director and Founder Jacqueline Masei. Masei has over 20 years of experience as a teaching artist and director of playback theatre, theatre of the oppressed and social justice work. After the performances there will be a focused discussion facilitated and supported by professionals in the
fields of social justice and diversity.

For more information go to www.playbackworkshop.com or call (314) 397-0733

International Artist Residencies...

... here is one link of resource for those who are looking for artist residency programs:

www.resartis.org

well wishes!

The Negro Renaissance in America, 1919- 1941

Washington University has a great opportunity coming up for the Summer.
"The Negro Renaissance in America, 1919-1941. If you are an educator interested in the Harlem Renaissance, African American Arts & Art History then check this out:

For the application: http://cenhum.artsci.wustl.edu/prgrms/NEH%20App.htm
For more info: http://cenhum.artsci.wustl.edu/prgrms/NEH.htm

Main Event Boutique in Memphis, Tn.

There is a great new business in Memphis, Tn. http://www.maineventboutique.com: Main Event Boutique.
It is a fresh & feminine boutique in the midtown area. Support! The owner is wonderful and the shop has funky sweaters, blouses and dresses... as well as great handbags.If you do not live in the Memphis area, visit their website: they have an online store!

Main Event Boutique
1859 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38104
(901)347-3711
Mon - Sun:10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Laylah Ali on Art:21 ( PBS)

Watch what Layla Ali has to say about her artmaking process. Here.... Enjoy.

Gallery 210 Panel Discussion & Exhibition!

From Gallery 210 @ UMSL:ALL-AMERICAN: JESUS MACARENA-AVILATHURSDAY October 22 - December 5, 2009Gallery 210 is proud to present the ALL-AMERICAN: JESUS MACARENA-AVILA, an art project concentrating on the idea of "community building." Distinguished Chicano art historian and scholar, Victor Alejandro Sorell will write the exhibition essay.
In Chicago, Illinois, Macarena-Avila works as a community based arts educator with many social service organizations. He serves as a faculty member with the Art Education Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Liberal Education Department at Columbia College Chicago. Macarena-Avila is the co-founder of POLVO, an alternative cultural space promoting contemporary art in Chicago.
The artist's main aim of this exhibition is to challenge viewers to see what has happened to American 'values.' They depict their insight of 'America' with contemporary art practices like installation work or digital video. You will reconsider what American values are through their conceptual language to represent their 'American' perspective. Are they decaying? Are they based on mythical identity? Or is it all about cultural assimilation: baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.
The project functions in four components: 1) "Tell It Like it Is" (video installation); 2) "Melting Pot" (installation work that re-defines the American cultural landscape); 3) "Community Building" (documentation of art residency between Art Dimensions [ArtD] and an interactive campus project "drive"); and 4) "Revision" (a mini-exhibit of books re-addressing American identity and history values).
OCTOBER 22 AT 6 PM: The panel discussion "Got Community? Defining Community Art and the Teaching Artist" with panelists Jesus-Macarena-Avila, Andrea Richardson, Fabio Rodriquez, and moderator Dr. Louis E. Lankford will start at 6:00 PM. A reception for the artist will follow immediately after the panel until 8:00 PM.
All of the Gallery 210 events are free and open to the public. Public parking for Gallery 210 is available at the South Millennium Parking garage on the east side of East Drive on the UM-St. Louis Campus. Handicapped parking is available behind Gallery 210. Gallery 210 is also within easy walking distance from the MetroLink Station.
This exhibition is supported in part by grants from the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council with additional assistance from the Center for Humanities at UM-St. Louis.

Gallery 210 is on the University of Missouri-St. Louis at 44 East Drive, TCC between the North UM-St. Louis Metro Station and Touhill Performing Arts Center. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The gallery phone is (314) 516-5976; the fax is (314) 516-4997; and email is gallery@jinx.umsl.edu. For parking locations, directions, and campus map please visit http://www.umsl.edu/~gallery/

The Empowerment Experiment

Check out the enpowerment Experiment at their website! This was shared on facebook and had to repost!
http://www.ebonyexperiment.com/

"What's Our Experiment?
For The Empowerment Experiment (EE), the Anderson Family publicly commits to live off of Black business for one year. National media covers The Empowerment Experiment. The Black community begins to act on their duty to solve our own problems and improve our situation in America by leveraging our near $1 trillion in consumer power. Americans, regardless of color, who understand that Black businesses and communities deserve to thrive, just like everyone else's, try to support and join the effort. Black businesses profit. Black professionals, too. Black children have more role models in their community from the business world. Black households and communities are economically empowered. Money spent in Black neighborhoods starts to work at solving the community's problems. The EE nation shows the world the true value and strength of Black business, Black talent, and the Black consumer/investor dollar."

Najjar & Varsity Center for the Arts Hall of Fame

Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Southern Ill. University Carbondale's School of Fine Art & Design has recently completed a commission art work for Varsity Center for the Arts Hall of Fame. The work revolves around the academic experience of Dick Gregory: legendary activist, writer and comedian originally from "the Ville" in north St. Louis.

Congrats Najjar, your pioneering spirit as an arts educator and activist is well appreciated!

To read full ceremony article visit the link: http://thesouthern.com/news/article_dd95faca-b487-11de-80d5-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

To watch video visit the link: http://thesouthern.com/news/article_dd95faca-b487-11de-80d5-001cc4c03286.html?mode=video

Future Featured Artists

If you are interested in being a featured artist, please email me for more details! dailchambers@gmail.com

We will cover: musicians, visual artists, and performers

You will need: A few images, an artist statement, and a completed interview.

If you are in CHICAGO

We sure would like to see you at this Saturday's art reception forChicago Black Artists.
October 3 from 1-4 p.m.
at Liz Long Gallery,1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Il. 60623 is where the show is at!

We are located at the corner of S. Spaulding Ave. and 21st street,just 2 blocks west of Kedzie stop on pink line.

The reception is free and we will celebrate Chicago Black Artistsin honor of Chicago Artists Month. There will be refreshments, music,and door prizes. A young black musician from Portland, Oregon named Christopher Clay will be the featured music.
Please say you will be a part of this celebration and show artists that you do care! Leave a message on voicemail 773-542-9126 saying your name and that you plan to attend. Or send an email to sophiebella@sbcglobal.net
We can't do it without you.
sincerely,
Dianna C. Long at URBAN ART RETREAT

Kerry James Marshall on Museums

Art:21 Kerry James Marshall On Museums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5mIklsZl5s

words from Black Enterprise

(Source: Carolejoy.com)The greeting card industry is a multi-billion dollar business, but for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves, it can still be a hard sell. A great idea, sound business plan, and financing alone will not guarantee success.
Here are some additional tips from greeting card industry insiders who have made their dreams reality:
Finding a good partner
“Art and the marketplace don’t always coincide,” says Victor Gellineau, co-founder of Brookfield, Connecticut-based Carole Joy Creations Inc. Gellineau founded the company with his wife, Carole, in 1985. The couple began with a line of six Christmas cards that Carole, a stay-at-home-mom, designed and Victor, a product manager for various brands, marketed and sold. “We do try to blend the two, but there are times when we have to make tough decisions between artistically pleasing and what the consumer would buy.”
Gaining attention of retailers
“We really look for something socially conscious, totally unique and that offers local support. It should be something you can’t find anywhere else,” says Marva Allen, managing partner and CEO of Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in Harlem, New York. He also advises that prospective entrepreneurs have “a great penetration plan and work it until you get results.”
Handling your business
“It was easy to get into the stores, but the one thing I wasn’t talking about was the money,” said Alton Weekes, 32, owner of the Harlem-based hand-made greeting card line, Alton Weekes. He recommends establishing the terms up front. Heather A. Kollar, founder and CEO of the New Jersey-based greeting card company Blueknight Greetings suggests configuring a package of products between $100 and $300.

to read more info go to blackenterprise.com

Marketing/Involvement Forum

Marketing Forum:
When? Monday October 5th from 6:30pm til 8
@ 1627 1/2 N. 19th St. Louis Mo 63106

We will be discussing new ways and ideas of marketing and exposure in our immediate sorroundings. It will be a free flowing attempt at sharing new ideas and rethinking traditional ones. Please let me know via facebook or email or phone if you plan to attend. Event bulletins will be coming soon. All is welcome. Visual, music, craftspeople, etc.

-dail (dailchambers@gmail.com)

Educating for Change Curriculum Fair

Brentmoor Retirement Home- St. Louis

In October (exact date TBA) Brentmoor Retirement home will be hosting a small craft sale. As of right now they are seeking a glass artists, clay artist, etc. to set up a vending table for the residents and their family. This is a great opportunity to vend right before the holliday season hits. If you are interested or would like more information plesae email the organizer of this event: Brandon McCormick at brandoc@swbell.net

Craft Alliance- St. Louis

Craft Alliance is currently accepting applications for our studio artmentoring program, Crafting-A-Future.
Crafting-A-Future provides education in craft media to high schoolstudents throughout the St. Louis metro area. The curriculumconcentrates on the development of concepts and techniques particular tothe field of contemporary craft.
Students work closely with local artists in Craft Alliance'sjewelry/metalsmithi ng, fiber, clay, and graphics studios to develop abody of work. In addition to their studio work, students are exposed tothe work of nationally/internat ionally known artists through exhibitionsand lectures. Craft Alliance challenges the students throughout theirstudy to develop their technique and concepts, exhibit their work, andbuild a portfolio in preparation for post secondary education.
Classes are held at Craft Alliance in the Kranzberg Arts Center in GrandCenter on Saturdays, October - June, 1-4pm. Students entering grades 9through 12 are eligible to apply. Students are selected based on talentand commitment to the program, and are granted full financial aid.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, September 28th, andclasses begin Saturday, October 3rd.
To request an application contact:
Robert Longyear
Community Outreach Manager
Chair Jewelry/Metalsmithi ng Area
Craft Alliance
outreach@craftalliance.org
314.725.1177 X 334

Liz Long Gallery Call for Art- Chicago

Who is eligible?
Black Artists living in Chicago.
What are we looking for?Great Art! for a group show, all media considered, no larger than 36" in any direction.
Deadlines:*send images of the art you want to exhibit. Do not send links to lookat art- send the actual images of works to be accepted into show.You can also bring art for curator to look at in person to galleryby appt.
*Once accepted by curator:email the images to be used in press releases A.S.A.P.
*Actual display-ready art must be delivered to gallery no later than September 26 at 4 p.m.
*Art must be ready to hang on the wall- prefer wire. On back of each piece print only title and artist's name.
*Along with art, deliver inventory sheet and artist statement.Inventory sheet should have all the artist's contact info. on top followed by a list of each work delivered to gallery with title, a description and price for each. Price includes gallery commission of 30%. Artist receives 70% of sales. Include the artist statement about the art and what the artist is saying through the art for this show and how art is created.
*Please compile a list of at least 10 people or places you would like to send an invitation to and do so now. Indicate that it is a group show featuring your art! Make sure your friends and co-orkers know that you would appreciate their support by attending the art reception.
FREE!*Art Reception is October 3 from 1-4 p.m.at Liz Long Gallery1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, IL. 60623(2 blocks west of Kedzie stop on pink ine train)*after show, pick up art between November 21 and Nov. 25. Please call or email and make an appt, to pick up your art. Art must be claimed in a timely fashion as there is no storage and the holiday sale is next.thanks, curator, Dianna C. Long773-542-9126 sophiebella@sbcglobal.net

Welcome

Welcome to the Black Creatives Network. This blog is for all who are in support and upliftment of Black Artists in the Midwest region and beyond. Please follow this blog and check in regularly!