Black Art Story
FRONT and CENTER/ED a Black Artstory | Myrtle Avenue | Feb. 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd
Brooklyn style and fashion bring the history of Black Brooklyn front and center, providing the artistic and historic material to speak on the past, present, and future. Brooklyn style is privileged as art, artifact, and a method to connect with the past today.
Black Artstory Month on Myrtle Avenue Black Artstory Month is an annual series that celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made and are making within the visual and performing arts world. Every year the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership partners with local artists and arts organizations to present the month long celebration, and activate the main street with public art & FREE cultural programming. This year, Myrtle Avenue is working with Black Gotham Experience (BGX) an immersive multimedia project that celebrates the impact of the African Diaspora on New York City with walking tours, a photography-based graphic novel series, and events.
- Friday 1st | Black Artstory: Kick Off Event | 7-10pm | BLDG 92 63 Flushing Avenue BK, NY 11205
- Friday 8th | Black Artstory : Drink & Draw | 7-10pm | The Emerson 561 Myrtle Avenue BK, NY 11205
- Friday 15th | Black Artstory : FRONT and CENTER/ED Exhibition | 7-10pm | Putnam’s 419 Myrtle Avenue BK, NY 11205
- Friday 22nd | Black Artstory : Fashion Presentation | 7-10pm | 47 Hall Street BK, NY 11205
February 1st // Panel + Kickoff / BLDG 92 Navy Yard (63 Flushing) / 7-10pm
Kamau Ware opens up with a brief presentation on Black Brooklyn history, then moderates two distinguished panels – one on Brooklyn and the other on Style, unpacking the intersections between history with style. Each panel will include a Q & A. Light Refreshments by Wray’s Caribbean Seafood will be available before the panel begins.
Brooklyn Panel – Prithi Kanakamedala, public historian + Rob Fields, President & Executive Director of Weeksville Heritage Center
Style Panel – Constance C.R. White, author, journalist & brand consultant + Barron Claiborne, photographer
February 8th // Drink & Draw / The Emerson (561 Myrtle Avenue BK, NY) / 7-10pm
Models for you to sketch will be styled by Charles Johnson and Naana Badu. Select drawings will be curated live and installed in The Emerson for an exhibition. Music by Frei. Hosted by Kamau Ware, William Ellis, and Kei Williams.
Charles Johnson @jecoriel
Naana Badu @badubasics
February 15th // FRONT and CENTER/ED exhibition / Putnam’s Lower Level (419 Myrtle Avenue BK, NY) / 7-10pm
Join us for an exhibition that takes an historic and whimsical gaze on Black Brooklyn Style.
Ajamu Kojo
Asha Hanna
Brock Mills
Felicita “Felli” Maynard
Justin Johnson
Kamau Ware
Kay Hickman
Keith Williams
Kristen Williams
Kwesi Abbensetts
Momar Clemons
Nathan Williams
Ryan Spence
Sophia Dawson
Tiffany Smith
William Ellis