345 Art Gallery hosted the “Portrait Narratives in Black Form” Exhibit : A Night to Give Recognition to Black Artists in Chicago
The 345 Art Gallery celebrated artists of color in the North Lawndale community for the opening of the “Portrait Narratives in Black Form” exhibit - a one night only event.
Held on Saturday, Feb. 22, artists were given a platform to gain more exposure for their art and people from all over came to support.
With the theme being “portrait narratives,” the artists fabricated portraits of African descendants to capture their essence in a unique way. The art contributed to the exhibit varied from photography to graphic design pieces. Artists like Jeff Beckham, who uses acrylic painting for art therapy, and Brittany Harris, who uses bright colors and shapes to celebrate the black diaspora, were a common sight at the event.
Local photographer, Yolanda Richards hosted and planned the event with the help of other artists from around Chicago. She believes events like these are important because they bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together, in order to create an experience they can share. Black History Month was also a large focus for the event.
According to Richards, the event was very special to her in particular because it gave her a chance to drive investment to local, black artists, something she believes many people can benefit from and within herself. She also hopes to empower young artists through future events, helping CPS students see art as more than just a hobby. Attendees were encouraged to donate money, with proceeds going towards a youth art organization. A prize raffle and spoken word performance were also available for people to enjoy.