June 3rd 6-10 PM in partnership with Joplin Marley Studios on the southside of Chicago is the opening reception for the Connect International Showcase. The Connect Residency is a networking and exhibition program servicing emerging artists founded by myself. More recently in 2021, I had a solo exhibit in New York City for two months, as well as being part of a group exhibit in France. Closing out 2021, I exhibited at a museum in Canada as well. Recently I founded the Connect International residency. This is an international networking and exhibit program for emerging artists. Artists from all over the world applied. I selected eight residents: four from Chicago, and four internationally. The participants were from Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, and France. June 3rd I partnered with a gallery in Chicago, Joplin Marley Studios, for an opening reception.. The program worked virtually. We met via Google Meet for three weeks and the first hour was a virtual open studio. I gave advice on networking and advice on marketing. I introduced a “skill 15” – a fifteen minute presentation on a skill emerging artists identified needing to know. These skills include exhibit proposal writing, and speaking about your art. The second hour included interviews conducted by myself with art industry leaders. These guests included Emmy award-winning filmmakers, gallery owners from Portland, curators from NYC, professors with international reputations in the arts, and fine artists. All of the participants are creating art for this exhibit and it is my mission to simultaneously foster community appreciation for the arts and the exploration of individual identity with emerging artists. To continue the program and draw attention to the community benefits of the arts I would love to discuss a feature.

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