The Studio@620 Salutes Black History Month
Curated by Bob Devin Jones and Alexander Jones
Signature Event Series Social Justice Initiative“An artist is a sort of emotional or spiritual historian. His role is to make you realize the doom and glory of knowing who you are and what you are. He has to tell, because nobody else can tell, what it is like to be alive.” — James Baldwin
Afro-futurism is a cross-disciplinary movement that re-imagines Blackness through elements of science fiction and fantasy, spanning music, art, literature, and other creative forms.
The Studio@620’s salute to Black History Month returns with another month-long exploration of Black History icons and celebrating of local talent–with a twist. In addition to acknowledging the iconic pioneers who have tirelessly fought for equal rights and freedom, we are also looking to the future and what this world, or others out there may look like. In the spirit of Afro-futurism, the Studio@620 is re-imagining the way in which black lives are celebrated, looking to artists in the community that are forging new worlds, creating new futures, while honoring the past.
Events will occur during the month of February on multiple platforms–catch live-stream poetry readings, installation dance performance, music, artifacts from the future, Instagram performances, and much much more.
Highlights include:
Saturday February 13, 2021: Lift Every Voice and Community Art Show
This exciting night will offer a combination of visual art and dance! A group art show curated by Artistic Director Bob Devin Jones and Dance Artist in Residence Alex Jones will feature a variety of styles and visions from the community. During the reception, scheduled for 5:00-9:00 PM, short dance performances will be presented. “Voices: Light the Fire; Pop-Up Shorts” will be performed by Alexander Jones and Aria Walker each hour at 5:20PM, 6:20PM, 7:20PM and 8:20PM. Advanced reservations requested and masks required in the gallery. Reservations can be made online here.
Friday-Saturday February 20-21, 2021: Tenea Johnson Future Artifacts and New Histories
Afrofuturistic novelist Tenea Johnson will present an installation featuring selections from her Future Artifacts series which combines photography and fiction.
Sunday February 28, 2021: Atavistic High Tea with Bob Devin Jones and Friends
Artistic Director Bob Devin Jones has a history of bringing people “to table” and using the commonality of breaking bread as a way to uplift and bind community and this day will be no different!
