SPARC352 Community Art Awards
Unapologetic Vol. 2
Yvonne Ferguson
Unapologetic, Vol. 2 is a collection of portrait art that highlights the complex history of Black lives and their perseverance despite the censorship they experience. In conjunction with the show, Yvonne created an interior mural at the Cotton Club of Bo Diddley, BB King, Sarah McKnight, and Ella Fitzgerald, prominent historical figures tied to the history of this historic Gainesville landmark. Yvonne also partnered with the Caring and Sharing Learning School to empower and educate the youth. They learned the history of the Chitlin circuit and its role in providing the Black community a network of venues for art, entertainment, employment, and revenue in the segregated Jim Crow South. The field trips also gave students the opportunity to incorporate their own touch into the exhibit with the creation of a collaborative painting of the Sankofa bird.
View some of Yvonne’s work at www.diasporicpigments.com
Expressions Through Music
1000 Voices of FL
1000 voices of FL INC is a not-for-profit corporation to encourage bridges between the diverse members of the Faith Community through education and fellowship as well as assist in providing core necessities for its members. President Joy Banks has spent 35 years as an educator, private music instructor/vocal coach and youth mentor.
This project provided weekly music appreciation and music theory educational experiences that explored woodwind, percussion, brass, and stringed instruments, which were introduced and performed by experienced musicians from Gainesville and surrounding communities. Through collaboration with community businesses such as Pulp Art Studio, participants learned about the business side of studio recording and theater performance. The project concluded with a culminating showcase, where participants received certification in their two areas of advanced study and showcased their new talents and abilities to their family, friends, and community.
Microphone Mentors
Marley Montano & ARTSPEAKSgnv
This project consisted of free classes for youth ages 12-18. Participants’ main area of study was public speaking. Guest speakers and business leaders from the community made appearances during each class, offering advice on public speaking, communication, leadership, and other related topics. If students understand that if they can become masters of organizing and confidently presenting their thoughts and ideas in a structured, easy-to-understand format, they will become more effective communicators and potentially gain the ability to influence others in impactful ways.
Owner & Lead Creative at Marley Montano Productions, Marley The Messenger is a Florida-based, Venezuelan American rapper & producer. Their primary collaborating partner was E. Stanley Richardson, a local poet, author, actor, the inaugural poet laureate of Alachua County, and founder of the nonprofit poet & artists support organization, ARTSPEAKSgnv.
WeCAN: Community Art Narrative Workshop Series
Chyna Miller & Robin Wilkerson
In collaboration with Partnership for Strong Families, an organization deeply involved in supporting underserved communities in Gainesville through resource provision and relationship-building, including engagement with the Porter’s community, this artist team engaged patrons to co-create artworks reflecting their distinct narratives and cultural heritage. Furthermore, in partnership with the Black Joy Restorative Justice Collective, resources for integrating restorative Black Joy practices into daily life were offered.
Chyna Miller is a Visual Arts graduate from the Mississippi School of the Arts currently completing a Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences at UF. Simultaneously exploring Arts in Public Health at UF Center for Arts in Medicine. Robin Wilkerson studied photography at Santa Fe College and dedicates herself to teaching art to children and adults with a philosophy centered on creativity, self-expression, and a love for the artistic process.
Stop the Violence GNV
Nathan Ross INC
Stop The Violence GNV engaged youth in a variety of ways and gave them ownership of the project, while also connecting youth with community leaders and resources. The mentoring and community building component of the project incorporated graphic designers, musicians and producers, photographers/videographers, media specialists, Radio personalities, and more to teach and mentor. The youth created and developed the artistic themes of music and artwork to create an album, composition of lyrics and/or poems, writing and producing the music, recording music, videography, graphic design, and more.
Stop The Violence GNV utilized the Living L.A.R.G.E. curriculum developed by John Rollins and MOTIV8U of North Central Florida. This consisted of leadership skills and principles, how to build and maintain productive and healthy relationships, and how to set goals and attain them. Scholars also learned financial management tools and strategies, entrepreneurship skills, vocational training, and engage in positive mental and physical exercises including stretching and meditation.
Nathan Ross, Inc. was founded in 2018 with the mission to promote and preserve the rich legacy and heritage of African American history and culture through the arts, education, and entertainment. Since their founding, they have successfully worked to conduct cultural arts and educational programming throughout North Central Florida.
Memory Quilt
Greater Duval Neighborhood Association
Since 2013, GDNA’s mission has been to revitalize the community by creating and connecting to programs and services that are designed to promote social and economic growth in East Gainesville, and they were able to fulfill this mission through the Memory Quilt project.
GDNA’s Seniors On The Move group meets three times weekly to socialize and support each other emotionally and assist with adapting to aging in place. For those in their community that are not fortunate to do so, they take their group on the move to help their neighbors stay connected to their communities and share in activities to ensure they continue to live healthy and vibrant lives and maintain their sense of belonging. There are seamstresses, storytellers, organizers, and historians that helped to facilitate a Quilt Making Story Circle whose design highlighted the stories that emerged. A mental health professional guided discussions that addressed grief, depression, loneliness, relationships, etc.
This project culminated with a special celebration at the CRK Community Center where community members were invited to help celebrate the completion of the quilt and honor the elders who contributed to the project.
Our Village Film
MyQueal Lewis
MyQueal Lewis is a creative director, filmmaker, photographer, and painter from Gainesville, FL. He owns an art company called Queality LLC and is a graduate of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. He earned his degree in social work and infuses this with his passion for art. He has created impactful murals for Gainesville and Tallahassee, blending social issues with art, as well as collaborating with companies like Beats by Dre and Disney.
Through storytelling and active community involvement, Our Village Film empowered the youth to rise above adversity and envision a brighter future. While interviewing community leaders and residents, he introduced the film’s premise and invited them to share their community pride, issues, and achievements. He also gave a group of youth direct access to equipment and lessons in filmmaking and editing. A grand premiere for the project honored the youth and community participants, uplifting and giving recognition to those who contributed to bringing attention to the issues in the film as agents of change.
This project culminated with a screening of films at the Hippodrome Cinema.
Recipes of Belonging
Flavorful LLC
In total 60 participants representing 19 countries gathered for an amazing art and cultural experience centered around the world of cuisine, bringing together immigrant and US-born residents of Alachua County. In partnership with Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative, Taino Roots, Braised Yum, and Chef Robert Colon provided backgrounds to their healthy, culturally significant meals which use locally sourced, organic ingredients from Swarthy East GNV. Based on answers during registration, participants were assigned seats strategically for each table to have a variety of countries and languages present. ARTSPEAKS led the participants in creative process to address perspectives on food and culture through poetry. Language Access Florida aided in language accessibility to better include our Limited English Proficient speaking neighbors. Local artist Turbado Marabou led a collaborative mural making session, allowing participants to contribute to a visual representation of this event. This project was an opportunity to build social cohesion by exploring and celebrating healthy food within a multicultural context. .
Flavorful is an immigrant-owned business that provides African-fusion foods, cooking classes, and culinary experiences.
Gainesville Proper
Terri L. Bailey
Gainesville Proper is a book preserving the essence of historically Black neighborhoods in Gainesville, Florida through the stories, photos, and memories of those who grew up in the city’s various Black communities. The author was surprised by the similarity of the stories from the various age groups and neighborhoods. Terri Bailey felt a book sharing the stories of those who came of age in the bosom of Black neighborhoods in her Florida city was a great idea. This project reminds us of the importance of paying homage to one’s lineage and upbringing. By combining the realms of literature and visual art, accentuated by compelling storytelling, we are able to safeguard the cultural heritage of the East Gainesville community. Terri partnered with DWMT Productions to create a mini documentary that covered the stories and memories that community members and local artists shared for the book. The final project will consist of a coffee table book, a book of poetry and black and white artwork, and an exclusive event featuring an exhibition, poetry reading, and video presentation of “When the Music was Cheap and Damn Near Free.”
Terri Bailey, founder of BLAAC2basics, is a community leader, organizer, artist, teacher, and facilitator. Holding an MA in English and Creative Writing, she has been honored with several writing and arts awards, including the City of Gainesville Business Arts Award and the Imagining America Randy Martin Spirit Award.