In celebration of Black History Month in America, the first episode of "Raising the BAAR" podcast is a conversation with three Black male artists who are community leaders and work with youth : Marc "Gazer162" McDonald @gazer162 (ex law enforcement officer), Robert Harrell Jr @rob.2.0_18 (art in schools educator), and Jamal Hall @directorjhall (film producer /creative director). This is an episode that you want to listen to closely. We address the concept of art healing communities, and the impact that social injustices have on progress. Art IS the new communication medium. #inclusion #art #society #blackmen #fineart #communities Executive Director June Smith, discusses why she picks the art that she does, and the stories that art can tell.
These three artists and June Smith, the Executive Director of Valley Arts in Orange, New Jersey, discuss what inspires them, and the impact they are making in the communities in which they live. The artists are graduates of Rutgers University and were members of 100 Black Men during their college years. They reflect on life, art, and society during the podcast and various projects which they have worked on together for athletesch as Kyle Anderson, community centers and educational institutions.
Have you heard of AVAG? Listen to this podcast to find out more about this organization and how art has been utilized to heal and educate youth in communities. Artist and community arts educator Rob Harrell Jr talks about his role and an artist for community. Jamal Hall, a filmmaker and graphic artist talks about his inspiration, and Marc "Gazer" McDonald talks about the impact he made within his community of Englewood as a law enforcement officer for 26 years and his passion as a graffiti artist.
These three creators were part of a group show in winter of 2022 titled “This is Black AmeriKKKa“ which took place in Orange, New Jersey with strategic partners @valleyartsinc (organizational partner for the @baarartjourney).
Cover Art: Robert Harrell Jr, If Trees Could Talk in AmeriKKKa, 2021, Acrylic and Textile.
Exhibition: This is Black AmeriKKKa @valleyartsinc
Rob is an educator and artist who is a graduate of @rutgersu University, and a member of @100blackmen
#RaisingtheBAAR #DiversityEdit #CreativeVoices #Exhibitions #artmatters #inclusionfactors #Rutgers #100blackmen
