Exploring the theme of revolutionary love is integral, according to artist and curator Myah Jackson. She’s bringing her traveling artist showcase, themed “Black Revolutionary Love,” to Chicago this month. 

The one-day live event will take place on the West Side at 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. at Malcolm X College on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, to honor “the connection between love and Black History Month,” Jackson explained. It will highlight local talent and live performances.

Tickets for the showcase range from $15 to $45, and can be purchased on the website. Artists interested in participating in the showcase also can apply on the site. Upon being chosen, participants then workshop with other artists for the show’s theme. Artists are also allowed to do a freeform piece as part of the “open mic” session.

“[Malcolm X College] just perfectly aligned with the revolutionary love theme, honestly, which I’m so excited about, especially at this time,” Jackson said.

Through her nonprofit, My First Love’s Artist Cafe, Jackson uses artists’ cafes — which are typically reserved for the visual arts — as an inspiration for her showcase. Jackson said she sees art as igniting conversations. 

Although she chose the show’s theme of revolutionary love before the election of President Donald Trump, Jackson said that she couldn’t think of a better topic for people to be a part of during this current political moment.

“Especially during Black History Month, especially on Valentine’s Day, which I think can be commercialized to be a little bit more romantic. Romance is more than just intimacy with a partner. And I think the cafe really does that work of exploring romance,” Jackson said. “Romance is just something that you were not expecting, that pleases you or provides pleasure in any kind of moment, and the cafe is all about [being] in the moment.”