Madison, Wis. – On Saturday, December 2nd, the first ever Black Art Expo will be presented by The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. The event will offer a unique opportunity for everyone in South Central Wisconsin and beyond to see, buy and appreciate art, learn creative skills, support Black artists and be inspired for future creative expression. Black Art Expo is free to attend.
In addition to approximately 20 exhibiting artists and merchants, the Black Art Expo will offer an array of lively experiences combining live art demonstrations, music, poetry, and opportunities to purchase books and specialty, small-batch, and handmade items from Black business owners. The event will be inspirational, celebratory and educational and will help launch visual arts programming before the Center becomes a physical reality.
When and where
Saturday, December 2, 2023
12:00 – 17:00
The Fountain of Life, 633 W Badger Rd, Madison, WI
Entrance free
Participating artists and authors
An exciting and wide variety of artwork, handmade items and books – all created by black artists from southern Wisconsin – will be available for viewing and purchase at the Black Art Expo. Exhibiting artists include Doris Adams (quilts), “The Artist” (drawings, graphics, illustrations, paintings), Brad Anthony Bernard (paintings, prints), Shandra Byrd of Byrd Ceramics (ceramics), Sarah Branch of Earthly Delights (jewelry, body butter and soap). Amira Keir of Amiradescent Art and Design (digital media, published prints, illustrations), Charisse Daniels-Johnson (mixed media, jewelry, wearables), Leslie Dickerson (ceramics, drawings, graphics, illustrations, prints), Brooklyn Dobie of B. Denae Artistry (mixed media, paintings, wearables), Sylvan Fleming Jr. (published digital artwork prints, drawings, paintings), Desere’ Mayo of Design by Mayo (illustrations, prints, wearables), Stephanie Previtt of Queen P’s Throne (jewelry, woodwork), Evelyn Patricia Terry (graphics, pastels, collage) and Della Wells (multimedia, collage, etc.).
Contributing authors include writer, poet and former Madison Fabu Poet Laureate Phyllis Carter; writer Sherry Lucille; and author and playwright Katrina Sparkman, who will offer her own and other works published by her imprint, Ironer’s Press.
Talks, demonstrations, children’s area and performances
Throughout the day, attendees will enjoy art talks, watch art-making demonstrations, listen to music and poetry readings, and participate in hands-on art activities.
Art talk speakers and artists in action will include:
- Brad Anthony Bernard (artist, educator, community arts advocate), panelist
- Shandra Bjyrd (artist) creating pottery at a potter’s wheel demonstration
- Sharon Bjyrd (artist), “Art Therapy”experience
- Leslie Dickerson (artist, educator), children’s art projects
- Sylvan Fleming Jr. (artist), painting demonstration
- David Hart (artist, writer, attorney, pastor of Sherman Church), “A History of the Origins of the Harlem Renaissance”
- Freida High W. Tesfagiorgis (UW Madison Professor Emeritus), “The Beginning of the Artist”
- Jerry Jordan (Children’s Book Artist/Illustrator), “What I wish someone had told me years ago.”
- Leslie Smith III (contemporary visual artist, professor of painting and drawing at UW Madison)
- Evelyn Patricia Terry (visual artist, educator, curator and advocate), panelist
- Della Wells (multimedia artist, after being Milwaukee’s Artist of the Year), participant
Art-making demonstrations will include painting, printmaking and ceramics. Families can participate in free arts and crafts projects in a kids’ zone.
Attendees will hear live performances from Frisson, an emerging Madison-based group blending R&B, jazz and funk at 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Frisson is fronted by singer Naiya Dupaty and backed by Trayvon Leal (guitar, bass), Scott Williams (drums) and Reece Dowd (guitar, bass). Former Madison Poet Laureate Fabu Phyllis Carter will read selected recent works.
The full schedule of talks and performance will be available online prior to the event at https://www.theblackcenter.org/artexpo/
For more information on the Black Art Expocontact Annik Dupati, Visual Arts Program Coordinator, Center for Black Achievement and Culture at [email protected].
About the Center for Black Achievement and Culture:
The Center for Black Achievement and Culture (the Center) will address the decades-long absence of a cultural space to celebrate and develop the Black community in Dane County. Located on six acres in the heart of a historically black neighborhood, the Center will be a physical place where black Dane County residents and others throughout the community can gather to plan and celebrate current and future growth and progress.
Specifically, the Center will: Celebrate and promote black supremacy; Pay homage to black history; Nurture and develop Black leaders in business and community; Attracting, connecting and retaining black talent; and provide space for conversation, connection and growth. For more information about The Center, visit https://www.theblackcenter.org/. Organizations and individuals can give to the Center at https://www.theblackcenter.org/donate.
