{"id":2986,"date":"2017-12-08T00:02:57","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T00:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/?p=2986"},"modified":"2017-12-08T17:04:01","modified_gmt":"2017-12-08T17:04:01","slug":"a-home-for-the-emerging-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/?p=2986","title":{"rendered":"A Home for the Emerging Artist"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” full_height=”yes” video_bg=”yes” video_bg_url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1XTmzCkOdJQ&feature=youtu.be”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I was presented the opportunity to write a piece on whatever I wanted. I was stumped. I’ve been longing for a chance to write about something I care about for three years, and when the time came, I had no idea what to do.<\/p>\n

What I did know was that I wanted to tell a story about someone or something that’s enhancing its community.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, I found BAND.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]BAND stands for Black Artists\u2019 Networks Dialogue. It is an art gallery and a cultural centre located in Parkdale.<\/p>\n

BAND gallery\u2019s mission is to bring visual arts by black Canadians to the centre stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea is to push forward the representation of black artists and cultural workers. It\u2019s showcasing their work, supporting it, their development as artists, administrators, workers within the art industry – locally, nationally and internationally,\u201d says Yao Togobo, BAND\u2019s art director.<\/p>\n

Here’s the story of a seeing a void and taking matters into your own hands.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”AN IDEA” tab_id=”1512686373939-dfacbfa7-dde2″][vc_column_text]2008.<\/p>\n

Barack Obama was elected the 44th<\/sup>\u00a0president of the United States, making him the first black president in U.S. history.<\/p>\n

This was a monumental moment for not just African-Americans, but black people all over the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaxine and I determined it was an international black holiday. Literally. I left the office and never went back,\u201d says Carter.<\/p>\n

This motivated Carter, Maxine Bailey, Julie Crooks and Karen Tyrell to form BAND.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”3293,3292,3291,3290,3289″][vc_column_text]BAND hosted its first event called \u201cWho\u2019s Your Obama?\u201d which talked about the hopes of black Canadians having their own political figure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe notion was who would inspire us to be politically active. Who would inspire us to not just sit on the sidelines making comments and judging but to actually roll up our sleeves and do the work,\u201d says Carter.<\/p>\n

Carter and BAND co-founders invited friends, colleagues and artists and raised almost 400 dollars to pay for incorporation fees.[\/vc_column_text]\n\t \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here for more photos of ``Who's Your Obama?``<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>[vc_column_text]Karen Carter discusses the impact of Barack Obama’s election from a Canadian perspective.<\/p>\n\n\t

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