In my Community-Engaged ePortfolio (CP-eP) I analyze existing communication and information responses to Feminist Theory and Black Archival Practice for Black Women Artist, Cultural Workers and Organizers at Build Your Archive located in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Greater Metro Atlanta as part of my work for the CIS 675 course (Community-Engaged Scholarship) during fall 2024. On this page, I provide the final thoughts and evaluations of the outcomes of the exhibition.
Impact & Outcomes
Profile & Exhibition Recap for kin to red dirt on white carpets, courtesy of jasmine nicole williams, Kyle Chattam, 2024
In 1995 bell hooks argued, "We are desperately in need of new models. Ultimately, new agendas can be set and successfully implmented by funding agencies only if individuals working within these spheres of power embrace the spirit of change that calls us all to deepen our awareness, to intensify our commitment to art as the practice of freedom"
In March 2024, I was notifed that I was selected as a Cohort 3 Leader for the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing. This unrestricted funding allowed me to pay all of the documentarians that we hired but also the artist who designed the exhibition identity.
The most tangile outcomes were that I found a flow respecting jasmine's studio practice and designing the exhibition. As well as the documentarians were able to photograph and capture video at various points of high engagement including: Opening reception, The Artist Talk, and Sound Bath.As of September 2024, the exhibition has been de-installed and I have a seen a glimspe of that "practice of freedom" between jasmine and Build Your Archive.
Reference:
Hooks, B. (1995). Art On My Mind: Visual Politics. New Press. p 144
Plan of Action
Step One: Plan out 2025 calendar and reach out to community partners to partner on unreleased programming.
Step Two: Develop a funding campaign that can sustain the work of both Sierra and Jasmine, as artist, archivist and cultural workers.
Step Three: Re-design website to reflect fundamental and organizational changes that incorporate the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing THRT framework.
Step Four: Launch funding campaign in December 2024 / January 2025 adjacent to the release of the 'kin to red dirt on white carpets' artist talk
Step Five: Deliever hard copy of all exhibition assets including photographs, posters, videos, studio visits et. al on an external harddrive to artist and consider a repository where duplicate materials can also live.
Milestones & Projections
Sierra King at the Archivist Brunch, Digital Photograph, courtesy of Sixty Inches From Center, 2024
As I reflect on past work in regards to Build Your Archive including the Diversity and Inclusion and Social Justice Projects it has positioned the organization to expand it's network beyond Atlanta,GA and continue to help me refine the methodology and framework under which we operate.
I am projecting that Build Your Archive will continue to support jasmine nicole williams in documenting her career as an artist and cultural worker. As well as determining how as an orginization to best serve other Black Women Artists, Cultural Workers and Organizers who want to prioritize building their archives.
2024 Orginizational Milestones:
Feburary 2024 - The Memory Keepers presentation supported by Disapora Solidarities Lab
Feburary 2024 - Received Fiscal Sponsorship through The Field NYC, for personal artistic practice that can be utilized for Build Your Archive
March 2024 - Selected for Cohort 3 of Cultural of Health Leadership for Racial Healing Institute and received funding to pay for exhibition and documentation fees
April 2024 - Attended Southern Memory Workers Institute at Highlander Research and Education Center
August 2024 - Installed jasmine nicole williams solo exhibition 'kin to red dirt on white carpets'
August 2024 - Moderated Artist Talk with jasmine nicole williams at Swan Coach House Gallery
August 2024 - Partnered with Jasmine Wilson to offer a sound bath as programming
August 2024 - Presented at Sixty Inches from Center's Chicago Archives and Artists Festival in Chicago,IL
August 2024 - Presented Grad School work during poster alongside SJ4A Cohort at Society of American Archivist Conference
September 2024 - De-installed jasmine nicole williams solo exhibition 'kin to red dirt on white carpets'
September 2024 - Faciliated "One Photo At A Time" Workshop at The High Museum in Atlanta,GA
November 2024 - Final documentation assets were delievered, artist statement and artist talk were published and distrubted on social media platforms
December 2024 - Publish online via youtube and distribute through social media channels, the artist talk held at Swan Coach House Gallery in Decatur,GA. As well as release 2025 funding campaign through fiscal sponsor the field.
References:
https://chicagoarchivesandartists.org/2024-participant-bios