PIGMENT INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES PIGMENTED BLACK ART FAIRE AT THE OTHER ART SHOW
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On Friday, during The Other Art Fair in Ravenswood, Pigment International unveiled plans for their Pigmented Black Fine Art Faire to be held during Black Fine Art Month in October. This new endeavor is not just an art fair; it will unite leading galleries, visionary artists, and influential arts organizations from across the country. Pigmented will be the first Black run art fair held in Chicago in decades and the organization is inviting galleries from across the country to participate. You may learn more about the Faire and share how you’d like to be involved by completing this survey. Dates and venues are to be announced.
Pigment International served as a media partner to the The Other Art Fair, for the third consecutive year. The collective presented artists Thomas Lockhart, Kristen Williams, Krystal Boney, Gary Gee, Ladipo Famodu, Reggie McFly, Candace Hunter, and D. Lamar Preston.
To learn more about Pigmented and to participate, complete our survey here.
View the new Pigment International website here.
ASHRO HOST SIP & PAINT TO KICK OFF 2025 ART COMPETITION
Ashro’s Onward & Upward Artist Showcase is in its fifth year of celebrating artistic expression. The clothing company hosted a Sip & Paint at Fourtune House Gallery in Chicago‘s Bronzeville neighborhood last week, where 2024’s Impact Winner, Mariah Logan, was a special guest. The Paint & Sip was led by artist Wanaki.
The Fisher, IN resident spent the weekend in Chicago and attended The Other Art Fair as a guest of Ashro’s. Of her abstract winning entry Logan said, this work of art allows me to show everyone that I am here and I’m standing out and stepping out on faith and courage.
The company’s 2025 showcase is titled Celebrate Black Joy & Triumph, according to Suzanne Sawyer, Merchandising Brand Director at Colony Brands. “Art has always been a key piece in the rich storytelling of the Black experience,” said Sawyer. We are proud to celebrate our past winners and excited about the new artistic talent this year’s contest will introduce us to.”
Artists may enter this year’s contest here. Pigment International and Umoja are media partners for this year’s contest.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S ORDER TAKING AIM AT THE SMITHSONIAN
From the NYT
President Trump issued an executive order this week criticizing the Smithsonian Institution for peddling what he described as a “divisive, race-centered ideology,” and calling to restore it to “its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.”
In his executive order, Mr. Trump claimed that the Smithsonian had in recent years “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology,” and that it promotes “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
Here’s what to know about the Smithsonian, a sprawling network of federal museums that has been likened to America’s attic, and about the president’s order.
READ EO HERE.
Statement from Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian
Dear colleagues,
As an Institution, our commitment to scholarship and research is unwavering and will always serve as the guiding light for our content. Late yesterday, the White House issued a presidential Executive Order (EO) related to cultural institutions including the Smithsonian. The EO directs Vice President Vance, in his role as an ex-officio Smithsonian Regent, to work with our Board of Regents on issues related to content.
We remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research, and the arts to all Americans. We will continue to showcase world-class exhibits, collections, and objects, rooted in expertise and accuracy. We will continue to employ our internal review processes which keep us accountable to the public. When we err, we adjust, pivot, and learn as needed. As always, our work will be shaped by the best scholarship, free of partisanship, to help the American public better understand our nation’s history, challenges, and triumphs.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING AT THE OTHER ART FAIR ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER
Candace Hunter — Artist
So thankful for Lonnie Bunch’s response (to the President’s Executive Order) about museumship, fairness, equity and what makes museum’s possible and why. He instructed his people to keep doing what they do. Dr. Bunch is trying to restore a little bit of sanity into an untenable situation.
Laren Phillips, Media Personality
“There is no America without Black culture, it’s non-existent. THis country thrives off Black energy. We have to continue to make our voices heard about this and other issues happening in the country now. Nothing will change if we remain silent.
APPLICATIONS TO ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL CREATIVE ACCELERATOR FUND DUE APRIL 9
The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. This is a $10,000 taxable award. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
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