Category: News

  • National Convention Elects New President

    National Convention Elects New President

    Gamma Xi Phi, the nation’s leading multi-disciplinary fraternity for artists, elected author La Toya Hankins as National President during the 2023 National Convention in New Orleans, La. The fraternity also partnered with the Xavier University Art Department on a service project for local artists.

    National President La Toya Hankins is the author of SBF Seeking and K-Rho: The Sweet Taste of Sisterhood. She has published multiple short stories with JMS Books, including “Married to the Struggle,” “Heat Wave-Southport,” and “Challah and Calloo.” Her work has been featured in anthologies “Black From the Future,” and “Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Stories,” published by BLF Press.

    “I am inspired and appreciative of the support of the members of Gamma Xi Phi in selecting me as National President,” she said. “I look forward to continuing our mission to honor the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social Justice and service.”

    Sister Hankins has been involved in Gamma Xi Phi as a charter member of Theta Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi in the Raleigh/Durham area, where she has served as Program Director. Before her election to National President, she served as Gamma Xi Phi’s National Secretary.

    Outgoing president Rashid Darden served as the third National President from 2015-2017 and the fifth National President from 2019-2023. Brother Darden will now hold the position of Member Emeritus, serving as Program Director of Phi Chapter in North Carolina.

    Read about the Board of Trustee members who also were elected. The 2023 National Program theme is Gammas Out Loud: Artistry Maximized Professionally.

    This year’s theme for the 6th National Convention was Awakening in the City of a Million Dreams. Representatives from the fraternity’s many chapters joined the Xavier University Art Department to host a discussion about the business of being an artist. The group of more than two dozen split into small teams representing a variety of disciplines, giving participants the opportunity to receive insights into pursuing their chosen art.

    Gamma Xi Phi also hosted a social event, Amethyst Hour, at the Royal Frenchman Hotel & Bar, with more than 50 artists, creators, and community members in attendance.

    The fraternity hosts a National Convention every other year and will host its next convention in Charlotte, N.C. in 2025.

    Gamma Xi Phi is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which honors the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice, and service. Your ongoing support is appreciated.

  • Theta Chapter Brings Dance to the Forefront

    Theta Chapter Brings Dance to the Forefront

    Durham, North Carolina- Theta Chapter doesn’t tip toe around giving the gift of Dance Education


    DURHAM- Gamma Xi Phi, Theta Chapter brought together internationally recognized Black male dance educators and performers to discuss the past and potential of Black men in the world of dance September 24 during a virtual program.

    The program, facilitated by Thomas F. DeFrantz, research professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at Duke University, featured a conversation between renowned dancers Willie Hinton and M. Clayton Barrier. The trio discussed the relevance and necessity of Black men being a force in the world of dance. Participants learned about the impact fellow Black male dancers made on them spotlighting local legends Chuck Davis and Mel Tomlinson and as well as their goals to encourage the next generation.

    “The conversation was empowering and edifying. Our goal in bringing together members of a community engaged in the work of carrying on the legacy of Black men in dance was to raise awareness of the importance Black men play in the craft. The panelists achieved that and more,” La Toya Hankins, Gamma Xi Phi national secretary and Theta Chapter program director said.

    A little about our key guest panelists for this event:

    Willie Hinton

    Hinton, a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and current instructor at Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, recalls his start in the world of dance at Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC when he dealt with the perception from fellow male students who were engaged in athletics while he participated in dance class. Their curiosity evolved into respect as they were able to view the work that went into his study thanks to his dance class located in a room over the high school gym featured a window for students to observe. Hinton obtained his first professional job shortly after college graduation and, since then, has performed with The Rebecca Kelly Dance Company and Dance Kaleidoscope. Hinton has also been engaged as an educator as Artist in Residence at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

    M. Clayton Barrier

    Panelist Barrier, a graduate of North Carolina Centra University, cites Hinton as one of the forces that has impacted his dance journey. The Durham native has created hundred individual choreographic works including a murder mystery piece he created that only the dancer tapped to be the murder knew the answer to the whodunnit. He currently serves as an educator at the Longleaf School of the Arts. He is also a member of the National Dance Educator Organization.

    DeFrantz and panelists discussed the imposter syndrome of not believing in the strength of one’s talent, how support from fellow artists makes in success and the power of Black male involvement in the craft.

    “Dance is a salad that everyone can eat from, and Blackness is just part of the expression. It is history, it is a form of documentation, and it is spiritual.” Hinton said.

    The Black Men in Dance program event is part of the Gamma Xi Phi’s National Program of I SWEAR-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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  • a gxp halloween spectacular

    a gxp halloween spectacular

    New York- Delta Chapter rings in Hallows Eve with a night of chilling stories


    The Delta Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi brings the bone chill on October 22nd with their event: From The Depths of Darkness: A Night of Terror. A night filled to the brim with talent by some of our members blessed with the gift of storytelling and masters of the pen. Hosted by Brother Marc Abbott along with guest appearances from Sister La Toya Hankins, Brother Kirk Johnson and Brother Steven Van Patten, each brought their flare to the short stories they wrote for this night of horror. Truly a great way to kick off the spooky season!

    A little about our authors participating in our event

    Brother Marc Abbott

    Brother Marc Abbott, member of Delta Chapter and the host of our Event. An award-winning African American writer from Brooklyn, NY, with a portfolio of works that span genres such from Plays (his first novel, Gamble of Faith, having a 3-year run), YA novels, and in 2013 pivoting to the Horror genre. Flourishing in this genre, Brother Marc has created “Welcome to Brooklyn, Gabe” which is featured in the Bram Stoker nominated anthology New York State of Fright and “A Marked Man” featured in the Hell’s Heart horror anthology. In 2019 he co-authored Hell at the Way Station, which he won two African American Literary Awards (Best Anthology/Best Science Fiction). The sequel, “Hell at Brooklyn Tea“, was released in January 2021.

    Sister La Toya “Toya” Hankins

    Sister La Toya Hankins is the author of SBF Seeking, and K-Rho: The Sweet Taste of Sisterhood, and the Program Director of the Theta Chapter. The North Carolina native is an East Carolina University graduate who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in political science. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and is the National Secretary for Gamma Xi Phi, a predominately African American organization of men and women in the arts.

    Brother Steven Van Patten

    Brother Steven Van Patten is a Brooklyn native and member of the Delta Chapter. The author of the critically acclaimed Brookwater’s Curse trilogy and has had a hand in writing multiple anthology series such as, Hell’s Kitties, Shopping List 4 and the Stoker Award nominated New York State of Fright

    Along with a plethora of other honors and accolades, SVP won three African-African-American Literary Awards in 2019, two for Hell At The Way Station (Best Anthology and Best In Science Fiction) and one for Best Independent Publisher. He’s also written episodes of the YouTube series’, Extra Credit/Extra Mythology, and is currently a contributor for the Viral Vignettes, a charity-driven YouTube comedy series benefitting The Actor’s Fund.

    Brother Kirk A. Johnson

    Brother Kirk Johnson, Trinidad born and raised is a writer currently now living in Brooklyn, is a member of the Delta Chapter. A man with a love for the weird/cosmic horror, heroic fantasy, and Sword & Soul. Having created many short stories and stories throughout his career. The creator of the “Far Afield Press” creating books like The Obanaax: And Other Tales of Heroes and Horrors and works being featured on books such as “Hell at Brooklyn Tea” and “Hell at the Way Station”.

    To watch this event please click on the link below!

    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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  • Newark Chapter Adds four

    Newark Chapter Adds four

    NEWARK, NJ- The Gamma Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, a professional fraternity for artists serving Newark, New Jersey, initiated four new members on Saturday, October 15, 2022. This occasion marked the first in-person ceremony in the fraternity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This infusion of creators and innovators expands the organization’s membership and places it on a continued path of celebrating “Art, Society & Justice: For Decades to Come.”

    The new members are visual artists, educators, writers, actors, poets, and arts administrators, representing the largest cohort of members in the chapter’s history.

    The new initiates are:

    Gamma Attorious Renee Augustin wears a black head wrap and looks off in the distance.  Drying roses are hung upside-down on a wall behind them.

    Gamma Attorious Renee Augustin, a nonbinary (they/them), queer, performance poet, filmmaker, and educator from Wanamassa, New Jersey. Their work focuses on transformation and community, and their hope is for their art to serve as a catalyst in the liberation of all people from oppressive systems. Attorious received their poetry MFA at Rutgers University-Newark. They are the host of Lampblack’s Instagram Live Series, “The Inky Bulb” and an artist-in-residence with New Jersey Performing Arts Center, where they were co-artistic director of NJPAC’s 2021 performance “Phronesis: A Focus on Frequency.”

    A portrait of Gamma Tasha Grant, wearing a gold head wrap.

    Gamma Tasha Grant (they/she) is an Afro-Costa Rican queer and non-binary multi-disciplinary arts & social justice educator, applied theatre practitioner, and cultural worker from Newark, New Jersey. Tasha has worked in education, activism, youth development, and gender and sexuality education as a facilitator, devised theatre director, teaching artist, high school teacher, and college lecturer. They are the founder and Artistic Director of Maroon Theatre Project, a New Jersey-based Black feminist theatre collective that creates programming and curriculum that fosters critical consciousness, activism, and healing in youth through the arts. Rooted in liberatory pedagogy, Tasha works to reimagine theatre-making and education by focusing on young peoples’ social-emotional development and providing them with access to social justice and political education. Tasha prioritizes queer, transgender, and non-binary youth of color to create affirming spaces for multi-marginalized youth. Currently, they serve on the editorial board for Youth Theatre Journal and holds a BA from Utica University in Psychology, with a minor in Theatre, and an MA in Educational Theatre for Colleges & Communities from New York University.

    A portrait of Brother Jaquair Gillette, wearing a green shirt.

    Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Brother Jaquair Gillette is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey. He is an actor, poet, producer, and community artivist. He recently released his festival award-winning film “3rd & 4th Chapters.” He has been featured in roles in plays and television shows such as August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson for Now Theatre, Inc., Orange is The New Black, Godfather of Harlem, Tommy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, FBI, and Law & Order: Organized Crime. He recently released his debut spoken word poetry book entitled Defiance & Desperation available on numerous eBook platforms. In addition, He is a three-time featured poet at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NYC. He is the annual open mic host of Paterson Poetry Festival and has performed in poetry cafes and venues across the U.S from New York City to Los Angeles. Jaquair continues to stay active in his hometown of Paterson as a commissioner on the Paterson Arts Exchange and as an associate producer for The Urban Blackboard Program for Public Access Television.

    A portrait of Dontae T. Muse

    Gamma Dontae T. Muse is the owner of the award-winning Above Art Studios in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is also the best-selling author of Tripping Over Canvases: How to Open Your Own Art Gallery with No Prior Experience. Dontae has participated as an advisor to or on the boards of New Jersey Art Administrators of Color, Institute of Music for Children, Black Girls Who Paint, Blk Art House, National Endowment for the Arts, New Brunswick HeART Festival, New Brunswick NAACP, Arts New Brunswick (Art Council), and Morris Arts.  He is also an advocate for fair access to health insurance for artists and fair payment to artists for artistic services, and curates the movements #nostarvingartists and #paytheartist.

    Augustin said they connected with Gamma Xi Phi’s principles. “They build up to the expansion of Gammas as individuals and community through intentional creation, service, and gathering.”

    Muse stated, “I hope that I can add valuable relationships that can help procure more resources to better serve the artist community.”

    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.

  • 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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  • Arts Fraternity Charts New Artistic Paths With Three New Chapters

    Arts Fraternity Charts New Artistic Paths With Three New Chapters

    CONWAY, NC- Gamma XI Phi, the fraternity for artists and creators, initiated seventeen new members July 31, 2022, during a virtual ceremony. The infusion of creators and innovators expands the organization’s membership and places it on a continued path of celebrating “Art, Society & Justice: For Decades to Come.”


    The new members are visual artists, educators, writers, actors, arts administrators and filmmakers. While their talents may run the artistic gamut, according to National President Rashid Darden, which unites them is their character.

    “These are men and women of integrity who have devoted their lives to the arts in some way.  We believe that their zeal for the arts and for justice will unite them with one another and with all the members of the fraternity.”

    Members were inducted into two existing city-wide chapters and chartered three new chapters located in New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, and Atlanta, GA.  The organization also inducted members into chapters that serves the South Atlantic Region and Southwestern Region.

    Eight embers became part of the Delta Chapter based in New York City. The members induction represents the largest intake of members into a single chapter since Gamma Xi Phi founding in 2010.

    • Cristina Lynn Acevedo
    • Timothy Benston
    • Shawnasia Black
    • Luisa Maria Butler 
    • Secile Doseau
    • DeMarius “Champ” Kilpatrick
    • Kayla Sharon Smith
    • Husein Yatabarry

    Doseau said she connected with Gamma Xi Phi’s focus on philanthropy. 

    “I’ve always loved helping people and my community in any way I can. It’s always given me a certain comfort or joy and it’s something that I believe I will enjoy doing with Gamma Xi Phi.”

    Theta Chapter which serves the Raleigh/Durham area added three new members

    • Dasan Ahanu
    • Jonathan Issac Champion
    • Leslie Cunningham

    “My hopes for my own career during my journey with Gamma Xi Phi will be to grow as a spiritual being, a woman, an artist, business owner and philanthropist. My goal will be to stay open to learning, be a good friend and collaborator with my Gammas, and serve my community with passion.” Cunningham said.

    The Beta Lambda Chapter which serves the South Atlantic Region at Large added member Marla Taviano who is based in Columbia, SC

    Regina Renee Nyègbeh became a charter member of the Delta Lambda chapter which serves the Southwest Regional-At-Large. She is based in Denver, CO 

    Ansel Augustine became a charter member of the Lambda Chapter which will serve the New Orleans area.

    Herman Beavers charted the Mu chapter which will be based in Philadelphia.

    Nsenga Burton and Tiffany Jade Lezama became charter members of the Nu chapter in Atlanta, GA.

    Augustine said he hopes to be able to create another avenue to serve and advocate from those in the New Orleans area that have struggled for recognition.

    “My hope with becoming a member of Gamma Xi Phi is to create new partners to assist with helping preserve what makes New Orleans unique and sacred.”

    Darden said he feels good about the organization’s newest members contributing to the organization plan grow and thrive.

    “The Summer 2022 class has a wide range of gifts that will invest in Gamma Xi Phi for decades to come. From Marla and Regina Renee’s deep love of literature to Timothy’s penchant for capturing everyday beauty through his camera lens. Besides the new members’ artistic experiences, there are several with experiences in the nonprofit sector and the fraternal world–these are experiences that will continue to bolster GXP’s standing among professional fraternities.”

    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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  • Theta Chapter Hosts Mental Health Panel

    Theta Chapter Hosts Mental Health Panel

    DURHAM- Theta Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, a fraternity for artists which serves the Raleigh/Durham area, invited the public to Relax and Relate during a virtual program on May 22.

    (more…)
  • Beta Lambda partners with APO Alumni to provide Black Books to rural jail

    Beta Lambda partners with APO Alumni to provide Black Books to rural jail

    During Black History Month 2022, the Beta Lambda Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, serving rural and remote areas of the South Atlantic Region, partnered with the Mu Alpha Alumni Association of Alpha Phi Omega to provide over 90 books for the Northampton County (NC) Detention Center and to the Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop for incarcerated youth.

    (more…)
  • Arts Fraternity Welcomes First Honorary Members in Seven Years

    Arts Fraternity Welcomes First Honorary Members in Seven Years

    Gamma Xi Phi, the fraternity for artists and creators, has initiated two honorary members.  They are the first to receive such honors since 2015.

    The initiates, music educator Tamika Walker Kelly and novelist Frederick Smith, were welcomed in an intimate ceremony attended by members of Gamma Xi Phi’s National Board of Trustees and members from the New York and District of Columbia professional chapters, as well as the South Atlantic Region at-large chapter.

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  • National President Appears on Podcasts

    National President Appears on Podcasts

    Rashid Darden, the National President of Gamma Xi Phi, recently appeared on two podcasts.

    First, he appeared on the Poema Podcast, which focuses on spirituality, identity, creativity, and mental health. He spoke with host James Prescott about his own story as a Black man of Queer experience in America. The conversation also touches on ideas about representation in pop culture franchises, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Superman, and Doctor Who.

    Next, Darden appeared in two episodes of the Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership podcast hosted by author Galen Bingham. He discussed the history of Gamma Xi Phi and the culture of Black fraternal organizations, his favorite musical influences, and how good leaders show up within organizations.

    Listen below!

    Whiskey, Jazz, & Leadership Podcast

  • Welcoming Ava President

    Welcoming Ava President

    Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists and creators, welcomes Ava President as a communications intern via the Georgetown University Virtual Immersions & Experiential Work (VIEW) Program.

    Ava President is a first-year student at Georgetown University who plans to major in sociology. This Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, native volunteers with DC Reads, the Black Student Alliance, and GU Women of Color. She is passionate about activism and community outreach and is excited to work with Gamma Xi Phi in the realm of communications, design, and branding.

    “Georgetown has a long tradition of training students for leadership in service, inside the classroom and in the community,” National President Rashid Darden said. “I am grateful that Ava has decided to lend her talents to our growing organization.”

    The Georgetown VIEW Program provides real-world professional experiences to students across a multitude of industries, from the nonprofit and public sectors to law, entertainment, media, and business.

    Ava will be responsible for the research and implementation of a media campaign during Black History Month 2022.

    Gamma Xi Phi is an anti-racist, non-hazing, all-gender professional fraternity for artists and creators established in 2010 by undergraduate students attending Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. Organized on the principles of Philanthropy, Sodality, and Elevation, Gamma Xi Phi seeks to create a world in which artists are valued as thoughtful and justice-oriented leaders in their communities and in their careers.

  • Remembering Sidney Poitier

    Remembering Sidney Poitier

    I want to be at peace internally and continue to feel good most of the time.
    But, yes, you are looking at a man who is relieved. I have nothing more to prove.

    Sidney Poitier to People Magazine in 1980

    Gamma Xi Phi remembers with solemnity the life and achievements of one of the world’s finest men, Sidney Poitier.

    We honor his masterful roles in The Defiant Ones, Lilies of the Field, A Raisin in the Sun, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and To Sir, with Love, among many others.

    We acknowledge his direction of nine major films, including Stir Crazy, which was at one time the highest grossing movie directed by a person of African ancestry.

    We note his many accolades, including being the first Black winner (and first Bahamian) of the Academy Award for Best Actor, several Golden Globes, a BAFTA, an Emmy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami.

    We further acknowledge his career as a writer, as a diplomat, and as a board member.

    Finally, we gratefully thank his family members, including his six daughters, for selflessly sharing their father with the world. Gamma Xi Phi shares in your grief while celebrating Mr. Poitier’s many contributions to the arts and to humanity. The artists and creators of this fraternity humbly and gratefully stand upon his shoulders.

  • Reflections of Re-Emergence: Symphonic Identity (Lashon Fouché solo exhibition)

    Reflections of Re-Emergence: Symphonic Identity (Lashon Fouché solo exhibition)

    CHICAGO (Winter 2022) – WILD YAMS: Black Mothers Artist Residency at THE cre.æ.tive ROOM is pleased to announce, “Reflections of Re-Emergence: Symphonic Identity,” a Solo Exhibition featuring WILD YAMS Artist and Gamma Xi Phi Sister Lashon Fouché. “Reflections of Re-Emergence: Symphonic Identity” captures the intersections of Black Female Spectatorship, examined through figural symbology, rigorous mark-making, vibrant color palettes, abstract patterns and portraiture. The exhibition is curated by Founders, Clemenstien Love | Wisdom Baty, with select programming highlighting Fouché’s Studio Practice: Artist Talk, OpenStudios, WorkShops, and Performance Art Interventions. The Opening Reception is Friday, January 7th 6:00pm-8:00pm. The exhibition is on view at THE cre.æ.tive ROOM, from January 7- February 19, 2022.

    Fouché stylised elements of color, pattern, and mark-making are multilayered, generating a kinetic flow of evocative feelings-sensibilities. Investigative themes of identity figuration, chromatic relationships and material embellishments add to the complexities of Fouché’s mark-making evolution.  Her current explorations examine non-representational abstractions of the human body and the “Black Gaze.”

    Public Programming:

    THE cre.æ.tive ROOM | 7034 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637

    Opening Reception

    January 7, 6:00pm-8:00pm Friday

    Artist Talk

    January 22, Saturday 2:00pm-3:30pm

    Moderated By: Wisdom Baty, WILD YAMS Founder

    Healing WorkShop Series | Creative Rituals of Divinity & Rootwork

    • January 29, Saturday 1:00pm-3:00pm
    • February 5, Saturday 1:00pm-3:00pm
    • February 12, Saturday 1:00pm-3:00pm

    OpenStudio | By Appointment

    • January 14, Friday
    • January 28, Friday
    • February 4, Friday
    • February 11, Friday

    (Contact Lashon Fouché at 773.663.0270, venisekeys925@gmail.com)

    Gallery Hours

    January 14 – February 12, Fridays & Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm

    Closing Reception

    February 19, 6:00pm-8:00pm Saturday

     

    About: Lashon Fouché

    Sister Venise Lashon Keys | Lashon Fouché (b. Chicago, 1991) is a visual artist, writer, performer, and educator. Fouché activates painting, drawing, objects, printmaking, movement, and writing to commune with her ancestors. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Painting and a Certificate in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Fouché’s consistent imagery and studio research on Black hair paraphernalia i.e combs, bobby pins, etc. began as an homage to her parents’ entrepreneurship in the Chicago hair industry. Fouché utilizes black cultural iconography along with elements of color, pattern, mark-making and abstraction to create dialogue centering notions of beauty, heritage, and resistance. Fouché has exhibited throughout Chicago and nationally.

     

    About: WILD YAMS – Black Mothers Artist Studio Residency at THE cre.æ.tive ROOM

    Introducing a new Studio Partnership, WILD YAMS Black Mothers Artist Residency at THE cre.æ.tive ROOM. WILD YAMS Artist Residency provides sustainable creativity + equity for Black Mother Artists in Chicago.  THE cre.æ.tive ROOM is an Art | Design collaboratorium studio located on Chicago’s southside. TCR Studio Residency Programs provide space + time to “imagine, create, envision” a distinctive Studio Practice platform for Women Creators. This new ongoing Studio Collaboration serves as a creative incubator for WILD YAMS Black Mothers, providing space, time, community, and entrepreneurial resources. A distinctive unified collaboration, both founded by Black Women with missions committed to equity + access through the Arts on the Southside of Chicago for Black Women Creators.

    Media Contact:

    Wisdom Baty, Founder: wisdombaty@gmail.com

    WILD YAMS: Black Mothers Artist Residency

    Clemenstien Love, Founder: info@thecreaetiveroom.com

    THE cre.æ.tive ROOM

  • Abe the Kid opens for RiFF RAFF at Westcott Theater

    Abe the Kid opens for RiFF RAFF at Westcott Theater

    Abe the Kid, 2021 initiate of Beta Chapter in the District of Columbia, opened for RiFF RAFF at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, New York.  Nathan Fenningdorf has the story in The Daily Orange.