Colorful Language: A Virtual Poetry Pop Up

May 29, 7pm

Poets Joel Chace, John Gavin White and Mia X recite their rhymes and rhythms inspired by the works in the Newark Museum’s Normal Bluhm Metamorphosis exhibition. Afterwards, engage with the poets in a round of improv poetry. This program is made in partnership by the Newark Museum and Gallery Aferro.

This session will be accessible on Zoom and Facebook Live. Sign up to attend here

Joel Chace has published work in print and electronic magazines such as, The Tip of the Knife, Unlikely Stories, Eratio, Otoliths, Word For/Word, and Jacket.  Most recent collections include Kansoz, from Knives, Forks, and Spoons Press, War, and After, from BlazeVOX [books], Scorpions, from Unlikely Books, Humors, from Paloma Press, and Threnodies, from Moria Books.

John Gavin White is a poet, philosopher and educator. A former Research / Teacher’s Assistant in African- American Studies and Women and Gender Studies at Fordham University, White’s research is centered in “black male self-recovery in the U.S.” and the “philosophy of the poetic.” He has been featured several times on the world famous Apollo amateur night along with having performed or lectured at a number of universities in the U.S. and abroad, ranging from University of Minnesota to Queen University Belfast in Ireland, to the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. His debut poetry collection, “I, John de Conqueror” is forthcoming this fall through Spuyten Duyvil publishing.

Margie ‘Mia x’ Johnson is a spoken word artist, mother, community activist, organizer, teaching artist and Newark nurturer. She is the host and producer of “People’s Open Mic”, where she provides space for poets and artists at Gallery Aferro. Additionally, she teaches creative writing and poetry, serving as a youth developer for various community organizations, a teaching artist for NJPAC’s in School Assembly Program and a “Brick City Voice” in the Dodge Poetry Festival.  She self-published her first collection of poetry, “Norky”, in 2018.  She is also the organizer of an annual public art demonstration “Hug the Block” created in 2012 which brings poetry and street performances to her Newark neighborhood. In 2013, she presented her first TED talk, “Why I Hug My Block”, in conjunction with TEDxBroadStreet , an independently organized TED event fueled by the theme “Reach, Rise, and Revive,” that took place at Rutgers Business School in partnership with Newark residents.  Follow her ig @besthingcreated.

People’s Open Mic ONLINE

June 24, 7pm hosted on Zoom by Gallery Aferro

Newark’s longest continuously running open mic returns (online) for the solstice. This monthly event welcomes all people and emphasizes inclusivity, love and respect.

Feel free to listen and enjoy from the audience, or participate with your own poetry in front of a supportive, yet passionate crowd. Zoom link to be posted closer to the event. Contact: info@aferro.org

 

Gallery Aferro welcomes the new decade with a celebration of rebirth and revolution for its 12th Annual Benefit Art Auction & Party. This year’s theme — Change is Constant — highlights a night of iconoclastic expression combined with music, food, cocktails, and prizes. Hundreds of artworks will be available for auction will bring together art lovers and art buyers to proudly mark the beginning of a new era of social, civic and cultural awakening. 

The fundraiser will help Aferro create new innovative projects, including an interactive poetry phone booth and multi-interdisciplinary events, and maintain popular programming, such as artist talks, educational outreach, publications, legacy work for women and LGBTQ+ elders, and year-round exhibitions featuring established and up-and-coming artists, as well as Newark’s oldest ongoing artist workspace program. Last year, thanks to donor and community support, the residency program expanded to offer two fellowships designed to serve underrepresented groups in the arts community — artists who are parents and women-of-color artists. 

Eager art enthusiasts who’ve come out to the benefit in the past will notice the new date change. The fundraiser was held in June for 11 years straight, but now finds a new home in the Fall 2020 season, capitalizing on the theme Change is Constant. Another change for the event is the much-demanded addition of auction bidding by phone, a first for Aferro’s fundraiser.

“The world is changing. And artists have always been at the forefront of change … Aferro is now in its 17th year as a woman-led artist space bridging inclusivity and discovery, while holding space for grassroots community initiatives, and for all who wish to support,” said gallery co-founder Emma Wilcox. “Our core belief is that art is for everyone.” 

The evening will also include all new artwork never before seen at an Aferro auction, including works from artists like Bisa Washington, Jo-El Lopez, Abel Barroso, Faith Ringgold, Geri Hahn, Xaviera Simmons, and Dahlia Elsayed. Imagery for the event was designed by Elsayed, known for diasporan landscapes rooted in cartography, comics and cosmology. When attendees aren’t bidding on their favorite pieces, they can enjoy rare vinyl tracks from DJ Kortez, raffle contests, a piñata, a Nasto’s ice cream bar, and delicious nibbles like artist-made cupcakes.

Tickets are available for $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Special VIP tickets with early access to artwork for sale and a VIP happy hour are also available for $125 in advance or $150 at the door. Gallery Aferro is located at 73 Market Street in Newark, New Jersey.

For more information, contact Candace Nicholson, Gallery Manager, (973) 353-9533, cnicholson@aferro.org

See everyone really soon!

#galleryaferro #aferrocreateschange

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March on Market: 2020 Gallery Aferro Open Studios
TBA

Please join us this summer for “March on Market” Open Studios, featuring three artist-run spaces on one downtown block!

• Gallery Aferro, 73 Market St., aferro.org
• Index Art Center, 237 Washington St., indexartcenter.org
• Newark Print Shop, 304 University Ave. Flr 2, newarkprintshop.org

Connect with art and ideas in Gallery Aferro’s 20,000 square foot building with this twice-a-year-only day when all five floors are open to the public! Enjoy three new exhibits, conversation, exploration, and a dozen flavors of fresh popcorn to enjoy as you stroll.

Full list of participating resident artists here

Artist-run Gallery Aferro’s resident alumni now number more than 100 and include Fulbright scholars, Eyebeam alumni and a wonderful cross-section of contemporary practice by different generations of artists. Two fellowships have been established to support artists who are parents, and women artists of color, and the program continues to evolve and expand.

On view:

Main Gallery: Glimpse, featuring 80+ local and national artists and collectives, this show is comprised of a substantial, immersive range of sketches, sketchbooks, artist books, lists, musings, drawings and studies, “black books,” proof sheets, and doodles on napkins or the backs of envelopes dating from as early as the 1940s to the present day. Select sketchbooks are available to be perused.

Eleta J. Caldwell and Rodney M. Gilbert Memorial Gallery: By the Time You Cut Teeth You Are Already Ancient by interdisciplinary installation artist Maria Driscoll McMahon, is, in part, a time-traveling, time-compressing meta-genealogical investigation that ruminates on the psycho-socio-political implications of mass DNA testing, patriarchy, loss, anemia, and other things.

Elevator Music 6 features Newark-based Miranda Janetza, a singer-songwriter inspired by her Puerto Rican roots, jazz, blues, boleros, plena y bomba, and Flamenco.

Image detail: Juno Zago