Black Boy Art Show brings brilliance to Bridgeport

The Black Boy Art Show proves why uplifting Black voices in the arts is essential for healing, empowerment, and community pride
Jeremiah Fristoe @jfristoe at the Black Boy Art Show Chicago tour stop (Eddy "Precise" Lamarre)

Black Boy Art Show brings a powerful celebration of expression to Chicago

Thousands made their way to the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago’s Bridgeport community to witness a powerful cultural moment of creativity, acknowledgement and celebration. The Black Boy Art Show, an exhibition dedicated to amplifying the voices and creativity of Black male artists, came to town to share this message while creating commerce. People from all walks of life gathered on the South Side of Chicago and were alive with energy. They were able to witness an array of visual, digital and performance art rooted in the Black identity, crafted by the hands of Black men.


The Black Boy Art Show has grown into a cultural force across the nation. It was founded to create a safe space for Black artists and provide a platform for them to be seen. The show travels across the nation providing exposure to Black male artists, a demographic that is often underrepresented or not seen in traditional galleries or mainstream institutions.

Vendors filled out the Zhou B Art Center with paintings, photos, digital art, T-shirts and mixed media installations. Music filled the area, networking was happening and art was being purchased. This art show has become a space to build community and economy.


Black Boy Art Show brings brilliance to Bridgeport
Brian Bridges Jr. aka BBJR at the  Black Boy Art Show Chicago tour stop (Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)

Among the crowd was Brian Bridges Jr., also known as BBJR, a rising creative and Chicago native who reflected on the moment:

“We are at the Black Boy Art Affair. There’s been a great time, great energy, and a lot of people. I love to see all my brothers putting together artistic expression, and it’s just good to be able to express yourself and show the world how good we are at making art.”

His words echoed the larger purpose of the event: recognizing Black boys and men not just as artists, but as necessary storytellers in a world that too often silences their voices.

Rolling Out asked why it is important to recognize Black men in art specifically. Bridges continued: “Because in a lot of different mediums, we’re underrepresented. But we have a voice when it comes to making art. And I feel like we see the world in a way that makes us create some of the best art possible.”

Bridges’ statement encapsulates the moment. When Black boys are given space to be creative and express themselves, they grow into healthy Black men. These men create works of art that can inspire and move the masses toward change for the better. This show goes beyond the aesthetics and into a space for healing.

Each artist opened up a window to their world and experience. It was a representation of the diversity of the Black male experience. The South Side of Chicago has made deep cultural contributions to the world. Having this type of event on the South Side highlights this fact and brings the light to an area that is misrepresented around the world.

Love, laughter and light filled the rooms. The artwork was the heartbeat, and community is being born from it. The Black Boy Art Show is a movement and a space for Black men to be free in who they are and how they show up in the world.

Check out a few pictures from the event below.

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Eddy "Precise" Lamarre
Eddy “Precise” Lamarre is a staff writer and brand strategist at Rolling Out, covering arts, culture, business, and community leadership. A Chicago-based multi-hyphenate, he’s also a photographer and rapper, known for his acclaimed project Ladies Love Mixtapes. Follow him on X @precise_chi. Stay Focused, Positive and Productive. Stay Focused, Positive and Productive
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