Installation

Artwork created by CVCA students, in addition to a life-size sculpture of Eugene Williams, was displayed July 27-August 3, 2017 at the site of Eugene's death. The opening of the installation featured afternoon and evening artist discussions, spoken word, music and performances by local art activists. This installation gave Chicagoans the opportunity to pause and pose solutions that will address institutionalized racism, segregation, inequity, and violence in Chicago. We need to look back on our history in order to move forward in creating a future for all of the children of our city.

Performers

Bryson Martin: After 10 plus years of recording and engineering music, and with extensive photo and film experience, Bryson Martin is stepping back out from behind the mixing boards. In the Hip-Hop group ‘Urban Definition’, a collective gathered by the Chicago Urban League’s Teen Reach Music Production program, Bryson Martin acted as an Executive Producer and Recording Artist at 18 years old, successfully recording 2 studio albums with the group. In cooperation, Bryson has shared the stage and studio with artist’s such as Common, Rhymefest, Traxster, CJ Hamilton, The Social Experiments’ Peter Cottontale, Enoch Muhammed and more. Instagram: @LookatBM | Twitter: @BrysonMartinMsc | Snapchat: BrysonDemario

Kenneth D. R. Coleman: An eccentric blend of spoken word poetry and theater, Kenny is like sunshine casting light unto darkness— he is an artist who uses his craft to bring awareness to social injustices, empower others, and inspire change. Works of Kenny can found in the Black Theater Workshop productions of And The Verdict Is… (Ensemble) and Justice Too Long Delayed (Ensemble). Other SIUE productions he's performed in include Make a Move (Ensemble), Servant Of Two Masters (Silvio), Venus (The Negro Resurrectionist), Comedy Of Errors (Pinch) and the devised production of A Good Woman (Wendell, The Water Seller). After he graduates he plans to continue using his craft to illuminate our country with change and diversity.

X'Zavier Hall: Profoundly spoken and informed on social issues, X'Zavier (aka X), uses platforms such as poetry and music to share his ideas with aesthetic. He is a student a Kenwood academy and is pursuing a career in psychology, which is often integrated in his pieces. Known for his hybrid style of rap and poetry, his lyrical spoken word performances has been showcased at events such as Louder Than A Bomb, The Lagoon, and has garnered features at a plethora of open mic events.

Mike Spex: Active in the underground pushin HIPHOP worldwide, helping release some of Chicago's best talent independently ever since his 1997 tapes in HighSchool. From helpin youth in Uptown find HIPHOP to helpin end the death penalty in Illinois, Mike does the grass roots work that must b done.

Moore is a multi-talented Hip Hop artist from the northwest Chicago suburbs - Elgin, IL. He got his start as a founding member of the Hip Hop collective Watch City. Since the groups inception in late 2010, Moore has released three official projects as a solo artist and toured the country in support of each release. His mission as an artist is to create innovative music that stands out in the Hip Hop scene and beyond. Moore blends elements of modern and golden age Hip Hop with his background in Rock, Electronic and Jazz music to create a sound that is both nostalgic and undeniably fresh.

Angrous L. Jeffries: A founding member of the hip hop collective "Watch City," rapper/producer Angrous has a breadth of experience that has shaped his sound to be like few others. From Elgin, IL Angrous rests comfortably on a boom bap foundation, and continues to experiment with the current sounds of today, which has resulted in a hybrid that fans of traditional hip hop as well as the music of today can enjoy alike."
Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter & Instagram: @Angrouswc

Goddess Warrior The Poet: I Am A Spoken Word Artist. I SPEAK AND BREATHE LIFE On The Mic. Using The art form of poetry to Not Just Entertain but to reach, teach, encourage, motivate and inspire. I am available for Hire. Weddings, private parties and events, church youth programs, after school programs, etc...In a few short years of being a Writer and performer, I have had opportunities to be on radio shows, featured in several events across Chicago, Crowned Princess of Poetry in 2016 by the International P.O.E.T. Organization, Nominated Upcoming Spoken Word Artist of the Year in the 2016 National Poetry Awards.

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