Season of Black Art Launches on 10/29

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 26, 2023

CONTACT: Jackie Wright, Wright Enterprises, 415-525-0410

SAN FRANCISCO’S SEASON OF BLACK ART (SOBA) CELEBRATING BLACK CULTURE & CREATIVITY ENLISTS OVER 200 VERSATILE UNSUNG ARTISTS IN NEW ART SERIES THROUGH FEBRUARY 2024

The Sunday, October 29th  launch of “The Season of Black Art” kicks off the monthly arts presentations with Black Literature, Narratives & Business at the African American Art and Culture Complex.

San Francisco - The African American Art and Culture Complex is the home from which over 200 emerging and unsung artists will launch a new arts series Sunday October 29th  through February 2024. The captivating celebration of Black creativity and culture via the inaugural “Season of Black Art” series in San Francisco provides an extraordinary collection of diverse artistic exhibitions featuring  hundreds of talented Black artists and collectives, presenting an array of artistic expressions including. Experience thought-provoking speaker series, interactive presentations, and awe-inspiring performances.

From the avant-garde to artistic classics in music, literature, spoken-word, visual and performing arts “Season of Black Art” is an awakening of Black artists that were incubated post COVID by the AAACC with funds from the City of San Francisco Dream Keeper Initiative.   These unsung artists will have their emergence monthly through February, 2024.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for the artists, the Black community and our overall society to get a chance to see the resilience, vibrancy and creativity of people they may have otherwise overlooked,” said Rodney Earl Jackson, actor, producer, and creative force behind the accomplished decade old SFBATCO theater company that has developed many new works and ventures such as the collaborative “New Roots Theater Festival.”  “I am honored to work with the directors of AAACC and the emerging artists to show San Francisco and the world what a creative force we are.”

“Season of Black Art” will launch on Sunday, October 29th, 1-5 p.m. with a four-hour happening of creativity with community and artists melding their energy to forge a new beginning that accentuates the AAACC as a solid foundation for promulgation of artistic ventures. 

“You could say it’s a coming out party for the complex,” said Melonie Green, Co-director of the African American Art and Culture Complex. 

“The Season of Black Art” is not just about entertainment.  The center is a platform to empower economically as well as enlighten culturally,” added Green’s twin sister and Co-director Melorra Green.  The Green sisters are affectionately known in the community as “The Twins.”  

With a diversity of presentations from writers, poets, preachers, new and established business owners, to political leaders, the public is invited to join the creativity Sunday as an afternoon of Black cultural activation gets underway, featuring Phelicia Jones, Reverend Arnold Townsend, Shante Saulsberry, Rico Hamilton,  Stormy Henry, Lewis Joan, Alie Jones, and more artists from the AAACC Creative Cohorts.  Free Food from Dixson Delights and Entertainment from the Bay’s very own STUNNAMAN02.   Registration is Free/The public is encouraged to register for seating and catering considerations.  For registration and more information visit www.seasonofblackart.org.

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NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS

Statement on Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting

“The African American Art and Culture Complex grieves with the citizens of Lewiston, Maine in the wake of the life altering mass shooting Wednesday night, said Rodney Earl Jackson Jr., Director of ‘The Season of Black Art.’” “Trauma experienced in our society affirms the reason why the arts are so important as science shows our work goes beyond entertainment and economic empowerment.  The arts help our mental health and brings about healing of our physical bodies and our psyche.”

ABOUT

The Season of Black Art (SOBA)  

SOBA will illuminate and educate the Black community about itself and to engage communities of all ethnicities to have a fuller view of the Black experience besides the rigidity of news and limited media narratives, The African American Art and Culture Complex (AAACC) presents a captivating celebration of Black creativity and culture at the Season of Black Art showcase in San Francisco from October 2023 through February 2024.  SOBA series of extraordinary events will feature hundreds of talented Black artists and collectives, presenting a diverse array of artistic expressions. Audiences will experience thought-provoking speaker series, interactive presentations, and inspiring performances. It is for Everyone. Featured artists and ticket details will be posted regularly at seasonofblackart.org  as they are announced.

The African American Art and Culture Complex (AAACC) is operated with a vision to be a space for Black Creatives and Communities to thrive. AAACC is a space for Black creatives to present, gather, and learn, while being a space for all to experience Black art and culture. Individuals and organizations are engaged that align with its mission and core values: Creative Equity, Excellence, Freedom of Expression, Fun & Innovation and Health & Wellness.