Excerpts from the New Renaissance...
Yesterday, I got to kick with two sister-friends of mine, Michelle "Love the poet" Nelson and Phylicia Ghee, a phenominal mixed media artist and recent graduate of MICA during a day in the life of them. Phee had a brief artist talk at an art gallery on 23 and Charles st...Gallery Myrtis. Then, she was part of an exhibit at the Load Of Fun Gallery called "SKIN". Michelle hosted the open mic held to compliment the event. It's a pleasure to be able to watch these sisters and my wife do what they do. I don't know if you know that is currently a renaissance of epic proportions happening in the arts community here in Baltimore. Yesterday was testament to that. Within just my small circle of friends, there are nothing but legends that are heading the creative tsunami that is defining a renewed interest this city. Not to boast, but my wife, Tya Anthony of Eyeni Photography, chronicles through her lens so very perfectly, the energy in the room. Michelle has single handedly, worked to plant heirloom seeds in the next crop of writers and reciters, (check for Adeke Rose...one of Michelle's "Live Lyrics" star pupils and feature for yesterday's open mic) and Phylicia, through the mediums of Photography and pretty much anything else she can get her hands on, recreates experiences, growth, energy, sexuality, pride and womanhood. Baltimore's skin is riddled with pothole sized pimples, needle tracks, dirt and the scars of Jim Crow degree burns. Billie and Pac carried the "Creative Anger" that Femi "Dri Fish" Lawal, ever so eloquently and prophetically coined probably about 10 years ago now. Everywhere we go, Baltimore artists stand out. No matter the medium...there is a raspiness to every artists voice here that can only be compared to a Tina Turner riff. The rest of the world must have forgotten about Pennsylvania Ave in it's heyday. This city has historically produced some of the world's best and most beloved artists...and little do y'all know, it still is. Just stay tuned!