FREEQUENCY features art from Black artists whose work is positioned in an Afrofuturistic frame. It imagines what the future of the Black experience is while acknowledging that it must include and honor the past and present as well because our time is not linear. FREEQUENCY is the vibration of the ancestor, Black people who exist now, and the generations to come.
Curated by: Iyana Hill and April Sunami
Participating Artists: Dejiah Archie-Davis, Marcus Blackwell, Aishel Brooks, David Butler, Arris' J. Cohen, Diamoni "Wyze" Davis-Ferguson, Ajanaé Dawkins, Praise Godswill, Latosha Matthews, Lisa McLymont, Walt Neil, Dr. H. Ike Okafor Newsome, Alek Shabazz, Marshall Shorts, Ky Smiley, April Sunami, Jaden Taylor, Nina Wells, Pheoris West, Michele West, Diamond Young
Instagram: @irrepressible.soul
View the video of last year's exhibition and community programming!
Exhibition: Tuesday, May 21–Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Urban Arts Space
On view concurrently with A Love Letter to This Bridge Called My Back
Programming
*This page will be updated with times and locations as event details are finalized.
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 25, 4–6 PM at Urban Arts Space
Irrepressible ReDo: Saturday, June 8, 7–11 PM at Urban Arts Space
Irrepressible Soul's The Ball and The ReDo, hosted by The Freshest Events, come together to bring you the Irrepressible ReDo. Join us for an evening of sounds featuring five DJ's spinning exclusively on vinyl to keep the dance floor buzzing while immersed in a gallery full of art centered on Afrofuturism. Come out dressed to impress in Futuristic Fly attire and catch the vibes.
Hale Center Panel Event for Juneteenth: Thursday, June 13, 12–2 PM at the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center on Ohio State campus
As you engage with our panelists, enjoy a heartfelt meal, and create your own version of Black joy through artistic expression, we hope you learn that you are in control and have agency over the multitude of ways you choose to express your story. Allow yourself to be inspired by the Black creatives we have present at our 2024 Juneteenth Celebration!
Juneteenth on the Ave: Saturday, June 15, all day at the Maroon Arts Group BOXPARK
A Juneteenth celebration in the historic Bronzeville community. In collaboration with Maroon Arts Group, Canvaas Consulting, and Look Ma’ No Hands the event will center creative community programming.
Panel at the Jubilee Day Festival: Sunday, June 16, 3:45–5 PM at the Ohio History Center
At 3:45 p.m. in the Ohio History Center—following a spoken word performance by Cynthia Amoah—Urban Art Space's Dr. Terron Banner will host a panel discussion featuring Arris' Cohen, Iyana Hill, Christopher Hearn, and Ajanaé Dawkins.
Bar, Art, and Music (BAM): Thursday, June 20, 5–10 PM at the Columbus Museum of Art
At the Columbus Museum of Art, BAM brings people together at the museum for libations, great art, and music. For Black Future Month, CMA is partnering with Irrepressible Soul to program a BAM based on Afrofuturism, featuring live music and spoken word performances as well as Black vendors.
Black Literary Week: Thursday–Sunday, June 27–30
At Urban Arts Space and other venues, this Literary Week honors storytelling within the African diaspora, including Spoken Soul (homage to poetry), the Love Letter to This Bridge Called My Back panel, a panel on Afro-sci-fi literature, and a writing workshop held at the Linden Community Center. The Black Literary Week is in collaboration with FIYAH Magazine, the nation's leading Black speculative fiction magazine, The Ohio History Center, and the Poindexter Village Museum & Cultural Center.
- Love Letter Panel Discussion with Dr. Joni Acuff and Dr. gloria wilson: Thursday, June 27, 6–8 PM at Urban Arts Space
- Artist Commune on FIYAH: Black Speculative Fiction Panel: Friday, June 28, 6:30–8:30 PM at Urban Arts Space
- Afrofuturism Writing Workshop: Saturday, June 29, 2–4 PM at Urban Arts Space
Exhibition Collaborators
- Iyana Hill: Creator and curator
- April Sunami: Co-curator
- Dr. Terron Banner: Manager of Community Learning and Experience at Urban Arts Space and co-creator of Irrepressible Soul
- Mario Hairston: Creative Director for Sole Classics in Columbus, Ohio
- Chris Hearn: Senior Manager for Canvaas Consulting in Columbus, Ohio
- Merijn van der Heijden: Director of Urban Arts Space