Reflecting Upon the Introduction to Simone Leigh

During this voice bite, Ashara discusses the brilliance of those from the African Diaspora, and reminds the audience that Black culture is everywhere.  Being Black is not something one should be ashamed of.. Be proud,  embrace your presence, your knowledge, your beauty.  Don't enable others to make you feel small due to their lack of exposure, knowledge, and/or connectivity to various dimensions of society and community.  Drop the mic. Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite Ashara Ekundayo talks about the lack of Black artist equity and how White supremacy and racism has impacted the lack there of as it relates to Black art, artists and their opportunity to enjoy generational wealth. She also discusses how artists are in one of the best positions to make decisions about their own works and how institutions present, align and engage with networks that matter to them. Black artists are now demanding that institutions authentically make space for collectors of color and/or collectors from their communities as well as put mechanisms in place for collectors to see, acquire and support works from artists of color and their craft.  Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite, Paul Henderson discusses the power of social media and how following, sharing, and exposing thoughts of others regarding art, the art market, and art spaces enlightens your team, community and helps to spark conversations about art. During these digital times, new ways of work and engaging can make the difference between a gallery closure and/or global relevance as an institution.  Paul also discusses the decreased need for folks to utilize institutional validation as it relates to what is valid/quality art.  We urge you to listen to this entire episode during morning coffee, your lunch break and/or dinner preparation.   of art and society. Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite it is stated what the entire podcast is about. Jewell Sparks, Paul Henderson, and Ashara Ekundayo discuss the state of art and inclusion across the globe. They discuss Black artists, youth, the White gaze, it's limitations and more. By discussing trends in the art industry, they address various issues and identify solutions which gallerists, curators, and cultural strategists can take in order to impact the future of art and society. Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this episode Jewell Sparks, Paul Henderson, and Ashara Ekundayo discuss the state of art and inclusion across the globe. They discuss Black artists, youth, the White gaze, it's limitations and more. By discussing trends in the art industry, they address various issues and identify solutions which gallerists, curators, and cultural strategists can take in order to impact the future of art and society. This episode is quite relevant as the BAAR Art Journey and Residency program announces participants throughout the upcoming week who will live and work in Berlin, Germany from October 2 - November 12, 2022. The goal of the program is to enable Black artist equity and generational wealth. This particular episode explores Black culture, the definition of mainstream art, how the art world can become more inclusive, the presentation of Black art, and how it can be packaged, purchased, and collected. They discuss the Influence and power of Black culture and its impacts across the globe.  Cover Art: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft Jewell Sparks:   Jewell studied art foundation sculpture and painting simultaneously during her pursuit of a BS degree in molecular biology at Haverford, College. She is currently obtaining her Christie’s Art Business Masterclass Certificate, and is the founder and visionary behind the BAAR Art Journey and Residency program. As a venture capitalist, global innovation strategist, media professional, and diversity, equity and inclusion expert, she has always had a passion for the arts and sciences.  Jewell has served on boards for public/private arts, media and community redevelopment initiatives focused on maintaining culture and uplifting communities throughout her entire career. As one of the original Board members of the Museum of the African Diaspora's (MoAD) Vanguard Leadership Council, she was responsible for engaging mainstream networks to artworks of the African Diaspora. While living in SF, sh served as the membership and events chair for the young professional boards of the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Symphony. Jewell was the acting VP of Strategic Development for The Jazz Heritage Center (JHC), which was a museum, cultural center, and jazz art gallery (Lush Life Gallery). Paul Henderson: Paul is the innovative leader of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA). Paul contributes weekly as a legal expert and political analyst on television, appearing in more than 500 televised programs on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, and more. As a collector Paul is focused on art that is intentional about reflecting communities of color with an advocacy lens of social justice.  His collection includes works from both emerging artists and notable blue chip luminaries. Henderson has contributed at numerous events addressing both collectors and important art institutions (MoAD 2021, Artbasel 2021, FOG Design = Art2022, Frieze 2022, Christie's 2022). Ashara Ekundayo: Ashara is an independent curator, artist, cultural theologian, creative industries entrepreneur and organizer working internationally across cultural, spiritual, civic, and social innovation spaces. Her intersectional worldview offers both an Afrofuturist and radical Black feminist framework to the public sector by centering the lives, traditions, and expertise of Black womxn of the African Diaspora. She sits on the Advisory Boards of the Global Fund for Women “Artist Changemaker Program,” San Francisco MoMA SECA Committee, and the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music.  In 2019 she founded and currently stewards Artist As First Responder, an organization and 6-point philanthropic, interactive arts platform that reifies artists whose practices heal communities and save lives. 

This episode kicks off Season 2 of the “Raising the BAAR in Art, Culture, and Society podcast series. During this season we talk to #womeninart from across the globe. During this episode, the founder of BAAR Art Journey and Residency (Jewell Sparks) sits down with co-host Carolina Carreteiro and artist Cristina Canale to discuss her art journey. Cristina discusses her transition from South America to Germany, and the impact of these cultures on her mindset, creativity, and personal journey. They discuss the value of stepping outside of one's home country in order to reflect, create, and engage unapologetically.  Cristina Canale was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1961. She lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Cristina Canale’s work is often based off prosaic everyday scenes, which she extracts from advertising photography. Her paintings result in elaborate compositions that intertwine the figurative and the abstract, often blurring one with the other. Cover Art: Cristina Canale, Green nails, 2022,100x80cm, oil on linen Music: Song: You Don't Know Me (Nah Nah) Artist/Performer: STORRY Written and produced by STORRY & Yotam Baum

"I like what is happening in the NFT space because it promotes community. It does not make sense to me that people can buy your works then turn around and flip it to take care of their family, but the artist and their family is not also taken care of. The utilizations of new technologies can help to minimize this." Solo the Artist During this full episode, Jewell Sparks of BAAR Art Journey and Residency / UNITED17 Ventures sits down with Solo the Artist to discuss his creative process and the importance of collaboration.  They discuss the impacts of being supported by positive environments, working on teams and creating via listening to your inner self and our ancestors.  About Solo the Artist Solo the Artist is a LA based multidisciplinary artist that was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Playing basketball in college and then overseas in Denmark gave him essential tools that has been the foundation of his journey. After a career ending injury he then took his passion for storytelling to the screen to become an actor in television and film working on projects such as Alieu the Dreamer, Top Gun Maverick, Young and the Restless, Hawaii Five-O and Bosch. Acting prepared him with many vehicles of expression, especially the ability to be completely vulnerable which allowed him to find his true passion of becoming a contemporary artist. Solo creates abstract figurative work through a multilayer language of wisdom that he calls “F.E.E.L.” A process in which Solo describes as, “Creating art through being a vessel of (F)aith to possess the (E)nergy of (E)mpowerment through (L)ove. We all have a story and I want that to be reflected in every piece represented.” Solo tells short stories in different mediums that are divinely delivered in that moment and energetically translated creatively by giving it a voice. Cover Art: Solo the Artist, We are all just figuring it our as we go, 2021, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 48 in

During this voice bite, Solo the Artist talks about being a team player. He points out that not everyone has the same strengths. This is a good thing. Find and align with those who complement your strengths.  Solo the Artist is a LA based multidisciplinary artist that was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Playing basketball in college and then overseas in Denmark gave him essential tools that has been the foundation of his journey. After a career ending injury he then took his passion for storytelling to the screen to become an actor in television and film working on projects such as Alieu the Dreamer, Top Gun Maverick, Young and the Restless, Hawaii Five-O and Bosch. Acting prepared him with many vehicles of expression, especially the ability to be completely vulnerable which allowed him to find his true passion of becoming a contemporary artist. Solo creates abstract figurative work through a multilayer language of wisdom that he calls “F.E.E.L.” A process in which Solo describes as, “Creating art through being a vessel of (F)aith to possess the (E)nergy of (E)mpowerment through (L)ove. We all have a story and I want that to be reflected in every piece represented.” Solo tells short stories in different mediums that are divinely delivered in that moment and energetically translated creatively by giving it a voice. Cover Art: Solo the Artist, We are all just figuring it our as we go, 2021, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 48 in

During this voice bite, Solo the Artist thanks BAAR ART Journey and Residency for posting information regarding Simone Leigh's representation of the United States at the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2022.  Simone Leigh's "Sovereignty" was focused on Black femme subjectivity. Simone Leigh's Birmingham (2012) was estimated to be worth 150,000 - 200,000 USD and was auctioned off at Sotherby's on May 19, 2022 for 2,167,500 USD. Birmingham was created by Simone Leigh to represent the resilience of Black women and the Church Bombing of 1963, a racially motivated attack that claimed the lives of four young Black girls and was a catalyst for the civil rights movement. This year, Leigh became the first Black woman to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale, winning the Golden Lion for her presentation in the Arsenal. According to Sotherby's Birmingham is a masterful example of Leigh’s elegantly defiant exploration of Black female resilience and regality that establish her as a quintessential voice of American art today.  About Solo the Artist  Solo the Artist is a LA based multidisciplinary artist that was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Playing basketball in college and then overseas in Denmark gave him essential tools that has been the foundation of his journey. After a career ending injury he then took his passion for storytelling to the screen to become an actor in television and film working on projects such as Alieu the Dreamer, Top Gun Maverick, Young and the Restless, Hawaii Five-O and Bosch. Acting prepared him with many vehicles of expression, especially the ability to be completely vulnerable which allowed him to find his true passion of becoming a contemporary artist. Solo creates abstract figurative work through a multilayer language of wisdom that he calls “F.E.E.L.” A process in which Solo describes as, “Creating art through being a vessel of (F)aith to possess the (E)nergy of (E)mpowerment through (L)ove. We all have a story and I want that to be reflected in every piece represented.” Solo tells short stories in different mediums that are divinely delivered in that moment and energetically translated creatively by giving it a voice.  Cover Art: Solo the Artist, We are all just figuring it our as we go, 2021, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 48 in

"Helping other artists is part of my artistic practice." Harold Smith During this episode, Jewell Sparks talks to artist Harold Smith while he is sitting in his studio in Kansas City. They discuss Harold's art journey and career transformation. Harold first started selling his art on ebay back in the day. He recently retired from teaching after 35 years of being a computer science teacher.  Throughout his dual career as a self taught artist and a teacher, he wanted to transition to teaching art, but that was not an option due to the shortage of computer science teachers within the public school system.  Since his retirement, Harold has been granted a 3 year residency by Studios Inc,and a cash grant from a Charlotte Street Foundation.  According to Harold, his work addresses the black male experience, and encounters he has had throughout his own life. Harold is a member of the African American Artists Collective, and enjoys mentoring other artists on a regular basis.  Harold reflects on the lives of some of his childhood buddies and expresses that childhood experiences can teach one to be less judgemental of others.  Harold's art has been collected across the globe. Most recently, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art added a piece of his art to their collection, and Harold Smith's paintings are easy to spot in the TV show "Bel - Air." You can also purchase some of Harold's work on Artsy and other platforms.  Cover Art: Harold Smith, Black Man, Brown Suit, 2021, Acrylic on Canvas 48 x 36in. Image courtesy of Jewell Sparks, The Sparks Family, Inclusion Factors Collection