Free People Afro Art and Fashion Show

FREE PEOPLE AFRO ART AND FASHION SHOW intends to celebrate the African American art and style perspective and bring awareness of these creatives to the Dallas community through fashion design and art. Designers and artists have been handpicked, each with a unique design aesthetic,that contributes to their individual style story. The FREE PEOPLE art show will shed light on current social issues, creating progressive dialogue amongst its spectators, and most importantly, highlighting the vast diversity within the DFW Metroplex.

Come Saturday, January 7, 2017 for a night of epic creative proportions. Complimentary drinks and DJ SO4KIS setting the tone, this event is conscious and sexy. After 5 attire is strongly suggested. Enjoy a traditional gallery presentation, curated by Nychelle Elise and a style showcase presented by Ashley Williams. Prepare to see original designs from:

Devaun Robinson
Akisha Kirkland
Mykel Rose
and an accessories presentation from Bow Tie Mike

Highlighted visual artists include:

Nychelle Elise
Kirk NOIR 1 Garnett
The Noiz
Fragyle Art
Spencer Evans
Veulah J
Riley Holloway
Pamela Danai
Aleisha Art
Fela Raymond
Gabby Rachel
Angela Webb
JetheVANDL
John Owens
...and more!

Get your tickets here

WOMEN IN TRANSIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Over the years, It’s been said by many male artists that out of all the creative inspirations to be had, The Woman is by far the ultimate source of their inspiration, whether it be music, photography, fashion or design. Perhaps because The Woman, by nature, has the capacity to create something extraordinary and give it birth. While the concept of men celebrating their female muses is common and flattering, it often overlooks the many contributions of their female counterparts. They represent a diverse collective that occupy this city’s artistic space. Over the next few weeks we will profile some of Dallas' most phenomenal female creatives and discover what inspires them. It will then all culminate in a celebration of them at our meet and greet cocktail reception for these dynamic ladies. These are our "Women In Transit." 

You are cordially invited to join us in a celebration as we honor these phenomenal women. The evening will consist of drinks, good people and sounds provided by one of our very own honorees Ursa Minor

[DON'T INSERT TITLE HERE] The Guide Toward Creative Freedom & Success

words by Marco Smith

There was a song in the mid 2000's  entitled "Can't Stop Won't Stop" that was pretty popular.  Aside from the obviously infectious beat and the slick bars being delivered by the Young Gunz, the song was largely popular because of what it represented and the message it was delivering.  At its core it represented this mind state and work ethic that quite simply put...won't stop.  You hear people all the time talk about their "hustle" and their "grind" in a failed attempt to emulate Diddy's own legendary work ethic. Because after all he was the first one to tell us all how "he won't stop".  But unfortunately when it comes down to the "day to day" and the work, for many it is just talk.  However that isn't the case when it comes to Justin Adu.  He is the walking embodiment of "Can't Stop Won't Stop".  I have personally had the opportunity to work with him and watch him work for from afar.  He really doesn't stop....ever!  He is literally a walking ball of creative energy that is always a step ahead and constantly thinking of the next thing.  Now that energy has manifested itself in his first literary offering entitled "Don't Insert Title Here" The Guide Toward Creative Freedom & Success which is here to help us all harness our own creative potential.

What led you to write this book?

I finally arrived at a place in my life about 3 years ago that I figured out how to merge all of my creative talents together. I believe that when you have knowledge you should share it with others and I remember graduating from college (both undergrad and grad) and applying for jobs and being told that I had too many things on my resume. Almost as if I was doing too much.  I wanted to create a body of work for people to read and be motivated by. Hell, even after sitting with it for a while it made me jump start my next project already, so I’m pretty excited to hear what other people think. It is a short read that is to the point and filled with visuals.

What are you hoping to accomplish or want the book's impact to be?

I would love to hear stories from other creatives on how they get over those creative roadblocks. I'm really looking forward to hearing the feedback from others. I want to start a silent movement which I think has already begun of more people being about it rather then talking about it. My goal in life is to do anything and everything creatively that I aspire to do regardless of where I live, no matter how limited my resources are or what anyone is telling me.

Who is this book for?  What audience are you speaking to or trying to reach?

 I’m speaking to that kid in high school who doesn’t know what they want to do. The college student that doesn’t know what they want to major in. The graduate student that finally figured it out but is too burnt out to get out there and do it and the young professional that doesn’t know where to start. Hopefully through reading this book all of those individuals will have more concrete guidance on how to begin their journey.

Where does the title derive from?

So maybe about 10 years ago I was redoing my CV (curriculum vitae) which I do often and for the life of me I didn’t know how the hell to present myself. So I put everything that I did on it, which was a lot.  But all in all what’s interesting is that I live a life of identifying people before I identify their title. Titles are overrated and some people don’t even live up to what is expected of that title. So for me a "title-less" society of individuals doing cool things makes more sense to me.  I always recognize the body of work and what they have done before I look at their title.

What's next for you?

I’m really excited about the release and everything that is going to roll out with it. I'm also looking forward to going on my book tour and I am in the process of releasing a product. So all in all 2017 will be exciting!

You can pre-order the book here

MELANIN ON FILM

written by Marco Smith                

It has been a while since last time I spoke to our friend Joonbug.  About three years to be exact.  He was actually one of the first people I spoke with when I first started the blog.  Time flies and many things have changed since then.  His locs are a little longer, his beard a little scruffier and I'm in my third year with In Transit.  But the more things change the more they stay the same, and in my never ending quest to stay at the forefront of culture we find ourselves together again to discuss his latest endeavor "Melanin On Film" which is available though his Fresh Kaufee brand.  It's a "Kaufee" table book that serves as a tangible collection of moments with a primary focus on people of color.  The timelessness of film lends itself well to each photo and breathes life into other subjects.  

While this is supposed to be an interview it feels more like we're catching up.  As stated previously things have changed.  He's since relocated to Oakland and has been there for the past couple of years.  "It's been good man.  I was in San Francisco the first year which is a beautiful city but it had these hidden elements that I could only feel that didn't sit well with me.  There is something about the historical part of Oakland with the Panthers I kept seeing and the company I was in at the time that invited me out that just created this change and planted a seed.  Film just kept being this reoccurring theme." he says

-          Never fully embracing digital photography all of the images for Melanin On Film are captured entirely on film and shot with two cameras.  “Digital just never felt right.  I shot with a Pentax K1000 that was given to me by a friend a few years ago and a Canon QL17 Range Finder that I got at a garage sale here in Dallas for twenty bucks.” he says.  But it went past just the technique in which he chose to put these photos together.  Joonbug was on a journey in search of something deeper.   “I saw a pattern.  The art that I do has a common thread of film. Even when I wasn’t shooting with film I was inspired by film.  I’m inspired by a time that was yesterday.  The way that film captures.  Not everything was always super sharp.  It was more about the moment than it was about the technical shot.  And I feel with digital it can be more about the technical shot” he says

And for him intrinsic to that journey was the representation of people of color; hence the title of the book.  “I really like how our people look on film.  Which is ironic because color photography wasn’t initially designed for people of color.  But we tend to have more of an impression in photography.  When I see people of color in photography there is more of a story there.  A story of struggle that I can relate to and that resonates with me” he says

-      As soft spoken as he is, you can still feel the passion from which he speaks “I’m more of a vessel that creates things for people to enjoy.  There is very little representation of us.  Especially when it comes to the internet.  Typically when you search and that algorithm populates your search, there are few people of color.  So I began to ask myself how do you combat that narrative and I think you do it in small steps.  This is one of mine.”

   Go here to order your copy of Melanin On Film

Grey Area

GREY AREA
An Introduction To Various Art Series

DALLAS, TX -- APRIL 28, 2016 -- Artist J. Taylor, well known for his dynamic versatile artwork, presents an introduction to various art series at an exclusive gallery reception on April 28th, 2016, from 7pm – 10pm, located at the Janette Kennedy Gallery 1409 S. Lamar St. Dallas, Tx 75215.   “Grey Area” will consist of portrait and film works that introduce concepts from different art series that are currently being developed. This is a unique opportunity to get an early glimpse into the creative process an Artist embarks on to create a cohesive body of work.

J. Taylor is a visual artist whose works investigate the mindsets within urban environments sectioned by classism. Taylor’s free flowing style authorizes him to deliver a visual language of storytelling through various medium’s but most commonly through a combination of paint, photography, film and music.  References of American history through the experiences of Black and Brown people can be found in his work along with iconography of popular culture.   

Taylor's recent works painted in tones of grey, dismiss color and environmental aesthetic references in effort to force us to deal with the solitude of each subject matter and the stylistic characteristics in his portraiture.  The lack of visual complexity combined with techniques of pattern interruption politely escort us to the conceptual complexity whether pleasant or disturbing.

ARTIST STATEMENT
Welcome to Grey Area - Level seven.  Once you enter, everything you think you know will be questionable.  The current conditioning of your mind will be altered by fifty percent.  The order in which your life operates will be disoriented.  Your survival depends solely on your ability to interact with what and who you see unconditionally.  You as well as others around you may not share the same interpretation but need each other to advance to the next level.  You will experience confused emotions but not permanently. As a result you will organically develop relationships that will elevate your creative spirit.  Your only enemy is you.  The only rule in Grey Area is to have an open mind. Your stress level will decrease gradually over the duration of your stay.  If you have any questions... you have already entered Grey Area.  Enjoy!