Art After Dark: Power of the Pen at Harvey B. Gantt Center

Art After Dark: Power of the Pen

Friday, November 4, 2022 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Harvey B. Gantt Center
551 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: Free

The Gantt’s Fall Art After Dark event will celebrate the confluence of art through written word from song lyrics and poetry to magazine articles and fiction literature with the Black Art Library pop-up exhibition.

“The Black Art Library is a collection of books and other art history ephemera on Black visual art intended to be an educational resource to share within the Black community and beyond. We intend to introduce or expand the community’s knowledge of Black art from the past and the present through art books.” – Asmaa Walton, Black Art Library

 

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Throughout the evening, exhibition creator Asmaa Walton will host programs that give guests a creative and thorough insight into the collection.

Art After Dark Schedule:

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Black Art Library: Discussing the Importance of Preservation

Learn about the inception and journey of the Black Art Library (@blackartlibrary) from founder and Detroit native Asmaa Walton, including what is next for the project.

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Melodic Minimalism

What hue is your favorite song? What textures do you feel when it plays loud through your speakers? Participants will give their favorite songs’ color and texture in this multi-sensory workshop led by artist Jaillin Johnson (@ori.jai).

 

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6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – The Life and Words of Kendrick Lamar

Take a deep dive into the career of Kendrick Lamar, exploring how his life reflects that of so many Black men of his time, led by poet and entrepreneur Sir Abstraxx (@sirabstraxxx).

 

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6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Men of Change Trivia Night

Enjoy a fun trivia game exclusively created for the Men of Change exhibition that will deepen your understanding of the exhibit. From the featured men to the commissioned artists to the layers of cultural and historical context.

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Black Art Library: DIY Journals

A book and journal-making session with Asmaa Walton. attendees will be able to use a variety of materials to make a book or journal they will be happy to take home.

 

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8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Iconic Black Magazine Photoshoot

Inspired by the legacy of John H. Johnson, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, this experience allows guests to commemorate their Art After Dark experience in front of life-size Ebony and Jet magazine covers. Led by photographer Dionna Bright (@dionna_bright),with the life-size magazine cover created by Garrison Gist (@2gzandcountin).

 

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8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – A Lyrical Culture

A live band led by Nero Tindal IV (@nerotindaliv) will take guests through a journey of Black music that has built generations of culture with timeless words. With covers like “Let’s Stay Together” to “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” prepare to sing along word-for-word.

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Rooftop Party

DJ Tonto will provide the jams on the rooftop with a setlist that spans many decades.

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