Gamma Xi Phi

Month: September 2022

  • A Night of spoken word and art in motion

    A Night of spoken word and art in motion

    CHICAGO- Kappa Chapter brings the flow of spoken word and the brush with their Open Mic Night Event

    Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists, presented a virtual open mic night hosted by Sisters Venise Keys and Dionne Victoria, with a spotlight on the work of Chicago native traditional artist, Marcus Alleyne.

    Marcus Alleyne is a Chicago artist, with a passion for visual art. An artist influenced by music, nature, Black culture, spiritualism and more, with a broad variety of styles and artistic know how. His mediums vary from the specific projects he works in but he displays a mastery of multiple, such as clay, paint and watercolor. His creative process, birthed from a sense of urgency on his projects, leads to works, at points look as if they were made by different artists. Throughout his career his work has been featured in the South Side Community Art Center and the Black Hammer Organization, as well as several places in his home of Chicago.

    The event featured other speakers from the audience, of all ages, focuses and backgrounds bringing their work to the forefront, with our hosts bringing the fire to help light the way. Among the speakers were one of our newest members, Gamma Leslie Cunningham, one of our past GXP President, Sister Sharnell Bryan, and, a special treat, one of Sister Venise’s students, Ms. Camari Bains. While many gave their all, showing us passed works and sneak peaks of works in progress, Marcus Alleyne, was at work painting a beautiful freeform portrait in the background. At the end, we were enamored by his finished piece as well as the stories and poetry we heard throughout the night.

    It was a time of celebration and creation with members, friends, and newcomers alike. We hope to see you again in the atmosphere abound with poetry, literature, and comedy.

    Open Mic Night is a Wellness Event and part of Gamma Xi Phi’s I SWEAR National Program, which focuses on Service, Wellness, Edification, Advocacy and Recognition.

    Gamma Xi Phi was established in 2010 at Ramapo College to provide a fraternal outlet for students engaged in the arts. Today it maintains a presence of working artists from Vancouver, British Columbia, to the northeastern and southern regions of the United States.

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  • “Art & Fear” Gamma Xi Phi’s First International Chapter Collaboration

    “Art & Fear” Gamma Xi Phi’s First International Chapter Collaboration

    DOTHAN, AL- Gamma XI Phi, the fraternity for artists and creators, is elated to have a union of the Iota Chapters in this Wellness Event!

    On August 27th, 2022, the Iota and Epsilon Iota Chapters of Gamma Xi Phi had their first collaboration event discussing the book: Art and Fear by Robert Bayles and Ted Orland. This event was helmed by Gamma Xi Phi Sisters, Toni Toney and Jen Samson. The former, a new member of the Iota Chapter, which covers the Montgomery and Southeast Alabama, and the latter, the Program Director of Epsilon Iota Chapter, which currently covers Canada and all future international members.

    The event covered the first five chapters of the book: The Nature of Art and Fear, The Actual Fears of Art, Fear and the Self, Fear About Others, and Finding Your Voice in Your Work. Using these opening chapters to home in on the endeavors of a singular artist will go through. Iota and Epsilon Iota Chapters also wanted to cover the subject of “Artists needing other Artists”. This subject bringing the importance of an artist’s need of community and like-minded souls when creating pieces.

     Being held in an open-forum style of discussion, each of the 20 participants were able to speak freely on each chapter and participate through the chat. This giving all the opportunity to talk about how they resonated with the ideas brought to the table by the hosts or if having read the book, offering quotes and their personal experiences to the audience.

    This collaboration event was a night of fun, communication, connection, and bonding.

    Art and Fear: A Discussion is a Wellness Event and part of Gamma Xi Phi’s I SWEAR National Program, which focuses on Service, Wellness, Edification, Advocacy and Recognition.

    Gamma Xi Phi was founded on October 7, 2010, on the campus of Ramapo College. The purpose of the organization is to honor the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice and service.

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