Artblog | activist

March 25, 2022 by Roberta

Velocity Fund launches fifth year of funding for Philadelphia Artists with open call for innovative projects

Artblog is excited to let you know about The Velocity Fund’s 2022 open call for projects in and with communities in Philadelphia. We love this direct-to-artist funding source! We believe that art belongs in the community, and projects belong in the hands of artists, and The Velocity Fund helps make that happen. Read on and be sure to consider applying for your innovative project.

March 11, 2022 by Roberta

Kristal Sotomayor on ‘Expanding Sanctuary,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Kristal Sotomayor is the subject of our fifth and final Added Velocity 2021-2022 spotlight interview series! Her project “Expanding Sanctuary” was first funded through Velocity Fund in 2020, and now with $15,000 in additional funding through Added Velocity, she will further her 26-minute documentary “about the campaign to end the sharing of the police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement led by Juntos and the Latinx immigrant community in South Philly.” Learn more below!

February 28, 2022 by Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University

Black activist and icon Angela Davis saluted with documentary exhibit at Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University

“Angela Davis – Seize the Time” brings together 220 objects, many from from the archive of Oakland’s Lisbet Tellefsen. On view are papers from her short, troubled employment at UCLA in 1969, and material from her arrest and trial for part in a fatal shootout (she was found not-guilty). During her incarceration pre-trial, Davis inspired many artists, who created work to support her case, including Elizabeth Catlett and Faith Ringgold. Some of those works are included in the Zimmerli show, along with art by contemporary artists Roberto Lugo, Coco Fusco and others, whose works are in dialog with Davis and her struggles. The traveling show is on view at Zimmerli through June 15, 2022, and moves to the Oakland Museum of California in the Fall of 2022.

October 7, 2021 by Susan Isaacs

Recollections of Peter Williams (1952-2021), prolific painter and activist

Susan Isaacs, who had the pleasure of curating Peter Williams twice, writes a thoughtful post on the painter’s work and fondly reflects on their shared moments together. Susan misses Williams, and says his death is a loss to us all- both personally and politically.

March 12, 2021 by Susan Isaacs

Diane Burko talks about flying with James Turrell, becoming a climate activist, and current work

Artblog contributor Susan Isaacs connects with climate art activist Diane Burko in a Q&A conversation about climate activism, art historical influences, and Diane’s current artwork and upcoming exhibitions.

August 10, 2020 by Kinaya Hassane

Jeannine Cook’s historically informed activism is a gift to Philadelphia

Artblog contributor Kinaya Hassane interviews owner of Harriet’s Bookshop and long time activist, Jeannine A. Cook. Jeannine believes art, especially writing, is integral to an equitable and just future.

April 8, 2019 by Wit López

Candy Alexandra González on creating ethnographic art about migration, identity, and healing

In this 31 minute long podcast, Wit speaks with artist and activist Candy Alexandra González about their artistic practice and upcoming exhibition, “Mirror Talk” at 40th street AIR on Saturday, April 13th, at 12 PM!

April 1, 2019 by Morgan Nitz and Roberta

Jacob Chris Hammes on curating, art-making, capitalism, and comedy

Jacob Chris Hammes is an artist, curator, teacher, and founder of the gallery Pilot Projects. In this podcast Morgan Nitz and Roberta talk with Chris about funding, the importance of discourse, seasonal- (and capitalism fueled-) depression, pond theory, and hear a few jokes. Catch Jacob Chris Hammes’s upcoming solo show, at the new gallery, Information, 2024 E Westmoreland St, on April 13th, 2019. The interview was recorded at Pilot Projects and is 31:40 minutes.

February 25, 2019 by Samuel Brown

Artists’ fundraiser Prints for Protest at Second State Press helps many of today’s protest groups

Sam Brown sees a provocative show at Second State Press of printed posters made by the group “Prints for Protest.” He appreciates how many different ways artists in the show connect with protest issues alive today.

January 7, 2019 by Tina Plokarz

Aaron Terry Reassembles a Revolution at The Delaware Contemporary

Tina Plokarz takes a trip down to WIlmington to view Aaron Eliah Terry’s current exhibit at The Delaware Contemporary. Terry, who is a current member of Vox Populi, (as is Tina), makes collages, prints and sound installations that explore the relationship between music, visual culture and political activism from the 1960s and 70s until today. Get down to The Delaware quick before “Syncopated Samizdat” closes on January 10.