Exhibition Opportunity for Chicago Artists!

I am getting ready for the upcoming Chicago Black Artists Show. This is an annual event here at Liz Long Gallery at URBAN ART RETREAT. We celebrate Chicago Artists Month by offering this group show.
In future, I will include some images from our key artist in the show- James V. Allen. For now, I would like to extend an invitation to black artists living in Chicago to submit some images to this email address (sophiebella@sbcglobal.net). Please do not refer to a website but send actual images of your art. I will respond by sending you the guidelines for participation. Follow them carefully. There is no show fee. The deadline for getting art into the gallery is Sept. 27. The show will open with reception on October 1(1-4) and a discussion between artists and non-artists at 2 p.m. that day. There will also be a reception on Nov. 6 (1-4) and a talk that day at 2 p.m. the exhibit and sale will be on display through November 20 at 4 p.m. If you would like to participate, attend, or sponsor, please contact Liz Long Gallery at 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Il. 60623 by email.
Thanks, Dianna

ReRooted: A traveling exhibition and musical performance

ReRooted: A Grassroots Traveling Exhibition and Musical Experience

When: Saturday, September 25th 2010 from 7-10pm

@: BlackStar Books and Café. 3211 Gen. Meyer Ave. New Orleans LA 70114

ReRooted is a culmination of soulful and socially just, artistic expression and performance. Our collaboration has been created by artists Siphne Sylve, Dail Chambers, Blue! and Brandon Tolson. In attempts to spread our community work, and creativity we are traveling to various sister cities. We are pleased to announce our opportunity to show in New Orleans, Louisiana. During our collaboration we will be documenting a long the way, to support please purchase a poster, artwork, jewelry and cd.’s. Check our blogs and websites for more details and to learn more about our experiences. You can also contact Dail Chambers or Siphne Sylve to book us in your city!

Through the arts, we can create liberating windows of exchange and dialogue!

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Dail Chambers is a ceramic sculptor and installation artist. She is a jewelry maker, and craftswoman. She most recently founded Yeyo Arts Collective and Gya, an arts based cooperative business in St. Louis. The Community Gallery and Fine Craft Shop holds classes, exhibitions, cultural events, discussions, and tours. The space is run by Yeyo Arts Collective, which is made up of a well-ranged group of women artists. Dail Chambers believes that through the arts we can creatively voice ourselves, represent our communities, and reshape our society.

In this traveling exhibition Chambers will have on display a variety of mediums and wares, including her small paper works and jewelry. She is excited to share the cross-cultural connections of St. Louis and New Orleans from a creative perspective.

Check her out at:

DailChambers1.blogspot.com
Yeyoarts.blogspot.com

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Singer, songwriter, creative, musician and thespian, BLUE!, enjoys
making art that inspires people to be better people. She received
classical and jazz training at an early age and has been featured in
several ensembles, symphonies, and bands in the U.S. and Spain. BLUE! is currently producing her lively acoustic solo debut album "Nappy Kitchen" featuring the fun and witty singles "Stay In The Car" and "Mean People".She coins her genre "funktastic stank" which includes a combinationof rock, folk, funk, electronica, avant garde, and soul. As a vocalist and acoustic guitarist in the band A-List, BLUE! embraces the opportunity to work with amazing artists and reach wide audiences with a funky soul flavor that's all about nappy funktastic stankness.

*Be Peaceful, Be Love,*
BLUE!

Check her out at:
nappilyblue.Webs.com

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ARTISTIK APPROACH is a group of individuals expressing their creativity through a medium called music. The members are terribly renaissance, being that they are multi-dimensional in their artistic abilities: From painting to designing and from dancing to acting. When they come together with their musical talents, they come to it with an ARTISTIK APPROACH.

Artist and member of Artistik Approach, Siphne Sylve is an artist, illustrator, designer and musician. Brandon Tolson is a member of Artistik Approach and a design artist. He is the creator of our poster!

Check them out at:

siphneasylve.blogspot.com
artistikapproach.blogspot.com

Resale Junkie

Are you one to be attracted to timeless pieces, interesting detail or unique creations?

Resale Junkie is a wonderful online vintage shop, located in St. Louis. Find her items here @: http://etsy.com/shop/resalejunkie.
Resale junkie will also be selling at the upcoming Gypsy Caravan @ Umsl Campus this Memorial Day weekend. The event is put together by and to fund St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

In the image included here, I really enjoy the amethyst (especially since I am an aquarian) and the composition of the earrings.
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Check out Resale Junkie for more info!

The Cowry Collective

The cowry collective plans to make "change" through the practice of time shares! This small group, lead by Chinyere Oteh plans their first meeting at GYA @ 2700 Locust May 8th. If you are interested im attending please join us! Contact chinyereoteh@gmail.com for more information.

THE COWRY COLLECTIVE Creating a positive network among people of African descent in the greater St. Louis area who practice the Nguzo Saba through time banking (exchanging your skills and services with others for skills and services you want or need)

I am excited about my new membership to the group.-Dail

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This 1st orientation will give you the opportunity to learn more about time banking and how it will positively impact St. Louis and all members involved. Come and meet other members, fill out a new member form and join our Yahoo group so you can officially start making free exchanges for services you need. Bring interested friends and family.

More info about timebanks on Goodmorning America: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR8ArHGgA7A&feature=player_embedded

Eugene Redmond @ Schlafly Library!

The St. Louis Public Library Diversity Writers Series PresentsEast St. Louis Poet LaureateDr. Eugene B. RedmondWednesday, April 7Writer's Workshop on the "kwansaba" (a poetic form he created) 6-7 p.m.
Poetry Presentation: 7-7:40 p.m.

Book signing follows the poetry presentation.Books and CDs available for purchase.********************
Professor Emeritus of English at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and the editor of Drumvoices Revue, Redmond is active in the local, national, and international writing community. In 1976, he became the first poet laureate named by a municipality. He was the 1991 winner of the American Book Award. The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club was founded in 1986 in East St. Louis with writers Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka serving on the board of directors. Under Dr. Redmond's leadership, the club continues to serve novice and experienced writers across the globe.

Wall Ball Saturday!

Jen Everett

Meet St. Louis based emerging artist Jen Everett and suppport those of us who are paving our way in the artist community in STL and nationally...

From Jen:

My art making process is driven by a background in architectural design and an appreciation for hip-hop culture. I am a photographer and mixed media artist, and I enjoy experimenting with a variety of techniques and materials.
I am motivated by an inherent need to create and to give voice to my experience as an woman of color. I am moved by all forms of creative self expression from dance to music.

My work is constantly evolving. I have always found urban imagery very honest and beautiful. I love to tell a story with photographs. When painting, it is usually in response to something I am passionate or curious about. Despite the medium, or whether it is literal or abstract, I always hope that my art evokes something in the viewer.

I love honest, thought provoking imagery. I enjoy documenting the ordinary things that we sometimes overlook, as well as the issues that people wish would go away. My goal is to tell a story and to question what we have been taught by society. When I am shooting or painting it feels as though I am working towards something larger than a well composed image or a true likeness. I hope that my work inspires others to look closer.

I will be participating in Wall Ball this month to benefit SCOSAG.

• • • • • APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!! • • • •SWG REWIND Just A Few Doors From Where It All Started in The Delmar Loop East. Come Unwind and Enjoy the VIBE and VOICES You Remember as We REWIND the POETRY REAL and Screen The Movie that your Ear Remembers.

Hosted by: DEREK 'D BROWN'Music Spun by: DJ WILLPOWER

Accompaniment by: THE BAND WITH NØ NAME (TBWØN)featuring- DAVID A. N. JACKSON - Percussion Ambience Etc. Voice, Poetry, SPW FLOYD BOYKIN JR. - Bass, Flute, Poetry, Spoken WordTRACY MITCHELL - Guitar, VocalsMARCUS LEONARD - Piano, KeysRODNEY THOMAS - Drums

Food Provided by:JUHARI'S CATERING -Mariquita DanielsDebut Poetry Chap Book Release by new author and SWG FAM - Ms JAZMIN WEBSTER "STUPID STUFF AND OTHER POEMS" -'Reading Enjoyment for Those who Appreciate Life.' OTHER BEAUTIFUL FACES and Familiar SPIRITS anticipated in the house - The Memphis (Florida) Crew -"Q", NAJA EMBRE • West Memphis, Arkansas' - Mikki Hooper a.k.a GRAN GRAN - Come bathe in the words, voices, warmth, hugs, smiles, and sounds of missed voices of family, friends, and community. Poetry • Music • Good Times • Memorabilia • Food • Fun • and Family. CD's • Books • Art • Jewelry • Oils • Vendors • & Artisan Wares will also be available for purchase. CELEBRATE POETRY!!!This National Poetry Month event sponsored and brought to you by: David A. N. Jackson - The HOTBOX Virtualclub.STL L.L.C. with support from The SWG FAM • FRIENDS • & FANS.In cooperation and collaboration with:• UHURU SALON • UJAMAA MAKTABA • AFROWORLD • THE GRIOT MUSEUM• EBC INVESTMENTS• DAIL CHAMBERS• LEGACY LIVIN IN THE STL• FIRST CIVILIZATIONS & othersADMISSION

$10ADVANCE ADMISSION per person may be purchased online via ishallwearacrown@gmail.com - Subject Line: SWG REWIND TICKETS See You there.And as always, - Be Peaceful Be Poetry

Convening at the Crossroads!

St. Louis just had an inspirational wave over this past weekend. We had our first arts convening. To learn more about the event check it out at www.crossroadsconvening.com/blog ! We had a national conversation that needed to be discussed: creative process, the need for more community based inititiaves , relationships and plan of actions.

put on by RAC- Regional Arts Commission St. Louis
www.art-stl.com

Heal Haiti

Memphis College of Art has organized a fundraiser to support Haiti relief efforts. Below is the information to contribute. If you are in the St. Louis area and would like to contribute together please send me an email.

The Memphis College of Art Student Alliance members are currently in the process of collecting funds in order to help bring aid and awareness for those affected by devastation in Haiti. Support can be provided in the following ways:
1. Bring baby formula and/or clothing to the Memphis College of Art front desk located at 1930 Poplar Ave Memphis TN 381042. Purchase a "Heal Haiti" bumper sticker or pin for $2. Please see the Student Services office or send an email to sylve_siphne@mcastudent.org. Purchase a Student Alliance Hoodie for $15, also available in the Student Service office.
All collected materials and funds will be donated to the "Sonlight Children's Home" in Port au Prince.
For further information please contact me or visit http://mcastudentalliance.blogspot.com/search/label/Haiti%20Fundraiser