Irrepressible Soul is a collaborative project, introspective exhibition, and community-engaged event with critical and reflexive programming centered around recognizing and celebrating the complex and intersectional Black experience and identity.
Through arts immersion and culturally responsive exhibitions, Irrepressible Soul hopes to help create a better understanding surrounding “Blackness” through art and creative dialogue.
Exhibition Statement
BLACK
To be Black is to possess the utmost resilience.
To be Black is to remain resilient in a world that is not designed for you to win.
To live and survive while being Black, to experience joy and anger while being Black, is a form of protest.
Protest comes from the depths of the soul, in the face of deep residing emotion, as an expression of Blackness…unapologetically.
Black art serves as a vehicle to channel the pain of past traumas and showcase the beauty and brilliance of a people.
Irrepressible Soul is a collection of works from different Afro-diasporic artists that reflect the complexities of the Black experience, their Black experience, by demonstrating the Black aesthetic, which conveys a refusal to be controlled or restrained.
Irrepressible Soul is a celebration, a form of liberation.
Programming Calendar
All events will be held at Urban Arts Space unless otherwise noted. See individual event pages for more details.
Friday, June 2: Confluence at Sole Classics
Saturday, June 3: The Opening
Thursday, June 8: Soul Talk: Imagining Black Art
Friday, June 9: Black Health & Wellness Event at Columbus Commons
Saturday, June 10: The Ball
Saturday, June 17: Foundation to Future for Juneteenth on the Ave.
Thursday, June 22: Afrofuturism: Black Lives, Silver Screens
Friday, June 23: Spoken Soul at King Arts Complex
Saturday, June 24 : TRUTH, BE TOLD: Black Girl Miracle Workshop
Friday, June 30: Artist Commune: Zeitgeist
Saturday, July 1: The Celebration
Created by: Iyana Hill
Curated by: Iyana Hill and Dr. Terron Banner
Program Curation: Iyana Hill, Dr. Terron Banner, Mario Hairston, Christopher Hearn
Overall Programming Collaboration: Irrepressible Soul x Sole Classics
Artists: Arris Cohen, Adéwálé Adénlé, Terron Banner, William Evans, Ira Graham IV, Cameron A. Granger, Keiwon Grimes, Neveah Frey, Sierra Hamilton, Breana Hendricks, Iyana Hill, William Hill, Josiah Jamison, L'Ouverture Jones, Tiffany Lawson, Marcus Morris, Chineze Okpalaoka, Nia Simone, Ky Smiley, Tracie Smith, Christopher Summey, Sydney Summey, Derek Walker, Nina “Nine” Wells, Akeylah Wellington, Diamond Young
Funded by: OSU College of Arts and Science Engagement Team, OSU Outreach & Engagement Grant, Stand Up for Shakespeare Fund, OSEP Sustainability Grant
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Irrepressible Soul Online Exhibition & Scholarships for Black Artists
One pillar of Irrepressible Soul is accessibility—accessibility in who can show art and view art. We are also focused on creating a more equitable arts industry by promoting Black artists. As part of that initiative, Urban Arts Space is hosting an online exhibition where Black artists will be selected to be showcased on the UAS website. Two of those artists will be given a $400 scholarship to aid in purchasing art supplies.
All artists will need to fill out the form below, including their name, email, phone, a personal statement (max 300 words), and one piece of artwork.
Submission window: Monday, May 29–June 10, 2023.
