'Black Artstory' To Celebrate Its 10th Year On BK's Myrtle Avenue

BROOKLYN, NY — An art exhibit that transforms Myrtle Avenue for Black History Month will celebrate ten years in the borough when it returns next week.

The annual "Black Artstory Month" will set up at storefronts along a 12-block stretch of the corridor near the Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy border, according to the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, which runs the exhibit each year.

This year, the theme for the exhibit will be “Democracy’s Body: An Ode to Black Womxn (Re)Imagining the Position” and will be accompanied by a series of events in area.

"This theme touches on timely conversations, but also timeless themes seen in ourneighborhood which has a long history of Black womxn leaders, both formal and informal, and organizers," said Chad Purkey, Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.

Eight artists have participated in this year's exhibit, which was curated by Bre’Lynn Lombard of UnJaded Curations and is supported by Tankhouse.

A map of the stores participating can be found on the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership's website. All art pieces can be viewed from the sidewalk.

Here's a look at the details, including the accompanying events:

WHO: Artists include Dana Robinson, Acacia Rodriguez, Sphynxx Diety, Tiffany Baker, Mz. Icar, Robert Newman, Ananda Ray, and Amanda Ocasio.

WHERE: Artwork will be displayed on eight local businesses, including: [salon]718, Peck’s, Salon Rhed, SoCo, Shic by Soketah, Green in BKLYN, Locals BKNY, and Pratt Institute.

EVENTS:

• "We are the Original: Womanist Craftivist Poetry & Collage Making"
  • WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.:
  • WHERE: Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue
  • WHAT: "In partnership with the creative wellness sphere, The Cirri, the Myrtle Avenue Senior Advisory Council shares original illustrations of personal and collective change in the face of idle institutions through poetry, monologue and movement."

• "Our Gold Fronts: Celebrating the Influence of Black Womxn in Visual Storytelling"
  • WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26 from 3 to 4 p.m.
  • WHERE: Virtual event, co-presented and hosted by BRIC Arts Media.
  • WHAT: "Celebrating the influence of Black womxn in visual storytelling. “Our Gold Fronts" will take participants on a historical journey of self representation and adornment, connecting the swag and status of grillz to the agency and power of imagery controlled by Black womxn in visual storytelling."