Harlem Arts Alliance Presents: On the “A” w/Souleo
You can’t keep a good thing away for too long which is why the hit musical, Fela! has returned to Broadway for a limited run until Aug. 4. To help celebrate the return, Harlem’s Morningside Park was transformed into a dance floor for the latest installment of “Sundae Sermon,” with founder, DJ Stormin’ Norman, the cast of Fela! and social media maven Bevy Smith.
DJ Magical Mike Walker kept the music going strong at a trunk show, which featured several creative Harlemites. Those promoting their work included visual artist Aleathia Brown and her Whole Living Body Products line, poet Eluhim and Kitty Rose Jewelry. Sheba, designer of Kulture Krochet previewed her line, which is not your grandmother’s concept of crotchet. Sheba weaves and spins her yarn into edgy and contemporary wearable art in the form of jumpers, genie pants and an extensive line of accessories. For Sheba, the collection is her effort to make crotchet sexy and fun. “It creates whimsy and function,” she says. “I want to incorporate crotchet into daily lives and change the perception of it a bit. The person who wears it is bold and lives from within.”
Lovers of the visual arts convened at Strivers Gardens Gallery for the opening reception of “eMerge: Danny Simmons & Artists on the Cusp.” The evening was a success with more than 200 attendees, including media, tastemakers and supporters of the visual arts.
In an effort to further help artists over the next few weeks we will feature expert tips from those in the visual arts community. We launch with Amy Kisch, former head of Sotheby’s worldwide VIP program, Sotheby’s Preferred, and the current founder/CEO of AKArt—an art advisory agency. Kisch notes that when it comes to branding yourself, you must first look within and define success. “Each artist may have a different idea of what achievement looks like, whether it be garnering sales, critical reviews, public recognition or museum and gallery exhibitions.” After defining goals and objectives, she advises artists to consider securing a public relations (PR) and marketing expert who can help them assemble a team to focus on branding and strategy.
“I recommend hiring an expert to guide interns or staff to maximize your resources. Interns and staff may be able to execute tasks at a lower price-point while working under the supervision of a skilled PR and marketing professional, so you can put your money where it counts—the professional expertise,” advises Kisch. For additional resources, be it financial or otherwise she has a few other recommendations. “Artists should sign up for Google alerts to monitor who is offering sponsorships and grant opportunities in the visual arts. Reach out to them individually with a visually compelling, but brief email—not a three page letter—and follow-up with a phone call.”
Instead of a ring, you can sign up to get a text from the Harlem Arts Alliance, which has recently launched a new text messaging (SMS) service to help you stay on top of all the great events in Harlem. Joining is free and easy and works with any mobile phone. Text the word HARLEM to 411247 and you’re in.
Finally, Ann Tripp of the nationally syndicated, “Steve Harvey Morning Show” hosted the NY/NJ Black McDonald’s Operators Association’s 18th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser. Since 2005, the NY/NJ BMOA has raised nearly half a million dollars in scholarship funds for college bound youth in NY and NJ through its annual fundraiser.
That’s a good thing that we hope continues to come back over and over again.
For more information on HAA, please visit www.harlemaa.org.
