Madison, Wis. – On Saturday, December 2, the first ever Black Art Expo will be presented by The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. The event will offer a unique opportunity to everyone in South Central Wisconsin and beyond to see, buy, and appreciate art, learn creative skills, support Black artists, and be inspired for future creative expression. The Black Art Expo is free to attend.
In addition to some 20 exhibiting artists and vendors, the Black Art Expo will offer a range of lively experiences combining live art-making demos, music, poetry, and opportunities to buy books and specialty, small-batch, and handmade items from Black business owners. The event will be inspirational, festive, and educational, and will help kick off visual arts programming before The Center becomes a physical reality.
When and Where
Saturday, December 2, 2023
12:00 – 5:00 pm
Fountain of Life, 633 W Badger Rd, Madison, WI
Free Admission
Participating Artists and Authors
An exciting and wide variety of artworks, handmade items, and books – all created by Black artists from southern Wisconsin – will be available to browse and buy at the Black Art Expo. Among the exhibiting artists are Doris Adams (quilts), “The Artist” (drawings, graphics, illustrations, paintings), Brad Anthony Bernard (paintings, prints), Shandra Bjyrd of Byrd Ceramics (ceramics), Sarah Branch of Earthly Temptations (jewelry, body butter and soap). Amira Caire of Amiradescent Art and Design (digital media, editioned prints, illustrations), Charisse Daniels-Johnson (mixed media, jewelry, wearables), Leslie Dickerson (ceramics, drawings, graphics, illustrations, prints), Brooklyn Doby of B.Denae Artistry (mixed media, paintings, wearables), Silvan Fleming Jr (editioned prints of digital artwork, drawings, paintings), Desere’ Mayo of Design by Mayo (illustrations, prints, wearables), Stephanie Prewitt of Queen P’s Throne (jewelry, woodwork), Evelyn Patricia Terry (printmaking, pastels, collage), and Della Wells (multimedia, collage, and more).
Participating authors include writer, poet, and past Madison poet laureate Fabu Phillis Carter; novelist Sherry Lucille; and author and playwright Catrina Sparkman, who will offer her own and others’ works published by her imprint, Ironer’s Press.
Talks, Demos, Kids’ Area, and Performances
Throughout the day, attendees will enjoy art talks, watch art-making demos, listen to music and poetry readings, and participate in hands-on art activities.
Speakers for art talks and artists in action will include:
- Brad Anthony Bernard (artist, educator, community arts advocate), panelist
- Shandra Bjyrd (artist), creating pottery on the potters wheel demo
- Sharon Bjyrd (artist), “Healing with Art”experience
- Leslie Dickerson (artist, educator), children’s art projects
- Silvan Fleming Jr (artist), painting demo
- David Hart (artist, writer, attorney, pastor of Sherman Church), “Origin Story of the Harlem Renaissance”
- Freida High W. Tesfagiorgis (UW Madison Professor Emeritus), “Artist Beginnings”
- Jerry Jordan (Painter/ Children’s Book Illustrator), “What I wish someone had told me years ago.”
- Leslie Smith III (contemporary visual artist, UW Madison Professor of Painting and Drawing)
- Evelyn Patricia Terry (visual artist, educator, curator, and advocate), panelist
- Della Wells (multimedia artist, past City of Milwaukee’s Artist of the Year), panelist
Art making demos will include painting, printmaking and pottery. Families can take part in free hands-on art and craft projects in a Kids’ Area.
Attendees will hear live sets from Frisson, an emerging Madison-based band blending R&B, jazz, and funk at 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00pm. Frisson is fronted by singer Naiya Dupaty, and backed by Trayvon Leal (guitar, bass), Scott Williams (drums), and Reece Dowd (guitar, bass). Madison’s past Poet Laureate Fabu Phillis Carter will read selections from recent works.
A complete schedule of talks and performance will be available online before the event at https://www.theblackcenter.org/artexpo/
For more information on the Black Art Expo, contact Annik Dupaty, Visual Arts Programming Coordinator, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture at [email protected].
About The Center for Black Excellence and Culture:
The Center for Black Excellence and Culture (The Center) will answer the decades-long absence of cultural space to celebrate and advance Dane County’s Black community. Located on six acres within the heart of a historically Black neighborhood, The Center will be a physical place where Dane County’s Black residents and others throughout the community can gather to plan for and celebrate current and future growth and advancement.
Specifically, The Center will: Celebrate and promote Black excellence; Pay tribute to Black history; Nurture and develop Black business and community leaders; Attract, connect and retain Black talent; and provide the space for conversation, connection and growth. For more information about The Center, visit https://www.theblackcenter.org/. Organizations and individuals can give to The Center at https://www.theblackcenter.org/donate.
