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UIC Black Cultural Center: Black Heritage Month⁠ African Americans and the Arts

February 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Homes Away From Home: Black Students’ Activism and Belonging at U of I

Thursday, February 1st

Bus Departs: 12 pm Bus Returns: by 12 am

Sign up: https://go.uic.edu/homeaway

This is a FREE trip to the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) to learn more about our Cultural Centers, connect with students from UIS and the University of Illinois of Urbana Champaign (UIUC), and discuss the Black experience within the University of Illinois system. There will be an exhibit showing, panel, lunch and dinner.
Round trip bus transportation to the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield will be provided. The bus will be leaving from Student Center East (SCE) at 12 PM and returning by 12 AM. Excusal letters for courses on this day will be provided.
Seating is reserved for the first 25 students who sign up.

Art Moves: The Chicago Footwork Experience! Lecture, Performance, and Dance Workshop

Wednesday, February 7th

Lecture- BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 3:30 PM-4:30 PM

Performance/Workshop- Student Center East (SCE) Illinois C. 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

Explore the history, politics, and Afro-Diasporic spiritual roots of Chicago footwork. Footwork is an embodied and creative form of resistance to state-sanctioned violence and environmental racism. Following the lecture and performance, dancers will teach the foundational moves of Chicago Footwork, culminating in a full routine.

What’s Going On? The Healing Power of Creativity

Friday, February 9th

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 10 AM-11 AM

Creativity is essential for emotional and mental well-being. Join us as we reduce stress through collaging, coloring, bracelet-making, and writing. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided.

Black Table Talk: Love in the Arts

Wednesday, February 14th

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 12 PM-1 PM

Join our conversation! We will discuss how “Black Love” is portrayed in the arts and popular culture.

Art Moves: Open Mic

Thursday, February 15th

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 6:30 PM-9 PM

Come out for a night of music and spoken word! Hosted by UIC’s very own DJ John West!

Tracing Our Path Through Bronzeville. A film screening and discussion

Thursday, February 22nd

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 6 PM-8 PM

This documentary by Reginald J. Rice highlights the contributions of various cultural institutions in Bronzeville. Local Chicago artists will be featured and present for the discussion.

Film description: he Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago has been a creative hub that cultivated the artistry of some of the most influential artists and authors of the twentieth century. To name a few, Margaret Burroughs, Richard Wright, William Walker, Gwendolyn Brooks, and members from AfriCOBRA have all established a creative foundation in Bronzeville. Nevertheless, the significance of their contribution is not only the artwork they produced, but also the aesthetic tradition that they established. This aesthetic tradition was founded to reframe the fraudulent historical narrative of African Americans. Today, there are a number of artists who are following this aesthetic tradition. This documentary will introduce its audience to the cultural traditions that emerged from the Bronzeville community. This tradition challenged the status quo through activism, visual arts, literature, and academic research.Tracing Our Path Through Bronzeville will highlight the contributions of various cultural institutions in Bronzeville, and contemporary African American artists that attempted to redefine the image and voice of black culture. This documentary will generate a new perspective on the significance of the cultural legacy of African American art from the perspective of artists who have exhibited their paintings in the Bronzeville art galleries.

Black Table Talk: Visualizing Black Culture

Wednesday, February 28th

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 12 PM- 1 PM

Join our conversation! Images of Blacks in photography have a profound impact on how we interpret black experiences and identities. We will be exploring the power of Black visual imagery through the camera lens.

Art Moves: Can You Feel It? Celebrating 40 years of House Music

Thursday, February 29th

BCC Gallery, Addams Hall 207. 6:30 PM-9 PM

Come and celebrate the history and worldwide impact of Chicago’s own House Music with DJ John West.
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