Equity in the arts: Black and Latino artists get a boost with new ArtsBuild grants

A large mural by The Artist Seven decorates the side of building along Brainerd Road near the McCallie Tunnel. The large-scale painting is part of the artist's Burnin' Bridges Mural Project, winner of an ArtsBuild Equity in the Arts grant.
A large mural by The Artist Seven decorates the side of building along Brainerd Road near the McCallie Tunnel. The large-scale painting is part of the artist's Burnin' Bridges Mural Project, winner of an ArtsBuild Equity in the Arts grant.

If you go

› What: Reception for Equity in the Arts grant recipients, with light refreshments and music by DJ Tryezz.› When: 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday.› Where: ArtsBuild, 301 E. 11th St., Suite 300.› Admission: Free.› RSVP: www.eventbrite.com.› Information: http://bit.ly/ArtsBuild_EIA.

A new production company has debuted its "Power Piece"; a graffiti artist has completed a mural on Brainerd Road; and a dozen other projects meant to enrich the city's arts scene are in the works thanks to recently awarded Equity in the Arts grants.

The new program, administered by ArtsBuild with support from the Benwood Foundation, backs projects led by local black and Latino artists. Grants of up to $10,000 were awarded to eight artists and organizations, who will be introduced at a reception Tuesday evening at ArtsBuild.

The goals for the new grant program are to help build the careers of local black and Latino artists, increase sustainability of cultural organizations that focus on black and Latino arts, build community awareness of black and Latino arts within Hamilton County and to support collaborations between black and Latino artists and other arts organizations within the community, says Julie Jackson of ArtsBuild.

Benjamin Banks of grant recipient Lucid Tales Productions, a start-up business specializing in media and performances, says he and his co-founders, Caleb Thomas and Susan Pyle, had originally planned to debut their project in February. The chance to receive an ArtsBuild grant was incentive enough to delay "The Power Piece" until this month.

"It has been a tremendous blessing to have received the grant, not just for monetary value to secure the venue and pay our actors, but also knowing that we've created something that ArtsBuild feels is needed in our community," he says.

Their goal, he says, is "to create stories and pieces that will inspire others to rise up and share their stories as well."

GRANT WINNERS AND THEIR INTENDED PROJECTS

» The Artist Seven: Burnin' Bridges Mural Project.

Activities coordinated by this graffiti artist and muralist include a large-scale painting on Brainerd Road at McCallie Tunnel, a large-scale mural on Main Street by artist Joy Taylor and a Burnin' Bridges Block Party and Paint Jam, scheduled June 24-25. Also in June, Seven will lead five days of training for an apprentice artist to create his or her first large-scale mural.

» Nabil Ince a.k.a. Seaux Chill: "Freedom Ave." album release party and concert.

This R&B musician, producer and poet released a new album in March with a listening party at the Edney Innovation Center that included visual elements with every song and an interactive art space for creating while listening. On Sept. 7, he will hold a concert at The Camp House that will feature a live backing band and students from East Lake Expression Engine.

» Creative Discovery Museum: Artist-in-residency program.

The museum is establishing an artist-in-residency program as part of a larger initiative to expose guests to a wider assortment of art forms not represented in its current exhibits. Isela Arredondo (jewelry making), Josiah Golson (drawing) and Randy Peterson (steel pan music) will serve eight- to 12-week residencies starting this summer through December.

» Association for Visual Arts: HUghES & Views: A Salon.

AVA's newly renovated front gallery will be used for a series of performances and discussions led by local black and Latino musicians, visual artists, dancers and poets on the third Thursday of each month through November. Many of the participating artists will explain and, in some cases, demonstrate their artistry and inspirations.

» Lucid Tales Productions: "The Power Piece."

This Chattanooga-based entertainment company presented its first social-justice short play, "Unity," featuring local artists who study acting, singing, poetry and dance. Each stage production in the series will deal with issues facing the community.

» Alex Loza: "Embracing Your Raices, Abrazando Tus Roots."

The co-founder and executive director of the Center for Latin American Visual Arts will hold painting workshops in June and July at Art Creations near Hamilton Place; present a solo exhibition, "Sapiyqunapaq: My Roots, Mis Raices," Oct. 5-Nov. 5, at Southern Adventist University; compile the exhibition "Embracing Your Raices, Abrazando Tus Roots," featuring artwork created from the previous painting workshops, in the Hunter Museum Studio Gallery, Nov. 1-30; and offer a celebratory exhibition with all of the previous paintings at AVA in January.

» Charlie and Iantha Newton: "A Shared Diversity" art installation.

The husband-and-wife artists, founders of Splash Youth Arts Workshop, will explore the different meanings and possibilities of diversity by collaborating on two-dimensional artworks that will be displayed in diverse and unconventional venues to reach a broader audience for black art. Venues include AVA (July 3-29), Chattanooga City Hall (Sept. 4-Nov. 3), North River Civic Center (Jan. 1-March 30) and Chattanooga Theatre Centre (dates to be announced).

» Pablo Mazariegos: "Resilencia - First Generation Latin Women" documentary.

Mazariegos, a marriage and family therapist and documentary film producer, will introduce two first-generation Latina women in "Resilencia," the story of their resilience and contributions to Chattanooga's culture. Dates will be announced for the film's premiere at The Camp House and for multiple screenings during National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

Upcoming Events