August 5, 2024
Artists

Black Evanston artists discuss craft, culture and passion


Four Black Evanston artists came together to discuss and celebrate their craft, culture and passion on Saturday night at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

From left to right, Chef “Q” Ibraheem, culinary artist; Laurice Bell, executive director of the Shorefront Legacy Center; musician and composer Chris Greene; playwright, director and educator Gloria Bond Clunie; and visual artist Sam Onche after the panel discussion Saturday. Credit: Carlos D. Williamson

“That Art Thing We Do,” a panel discussion presented by Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, featured award-winning playwright and director Gloria Bond Clunie, culinary artist Chef “Q” Ibraheem, musician and composer Chris Greene and visual artist Sam Onche. Laurice Bell, executive director of the Shorefront Legacy Center, moderated the discussion Saturday as the artists opened up and shared their stories.

After a brief introduction from Tim Rhoze, artistic director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Bell took the stage and brought out the panelists. She opened the discussion by asking the artists if they view themselves as business people working in the arts or artists who have to learn business.

“I would say the term ‘artist’ is the best term that describes me,” Onche said.

Laurice Bell, Gloria Bond Clunie and Sam Onche participate in a panel discussion about Black artists. Credit: Carlos D. Williamson

Onche briefly talked about how deeply his roots impact his work.

It comes into play by “making sure that I am aware of my heritage and how I can use that to essentially tell a story,” the Nigerian-born artist said.

When Clunie was asked the same question, she said she’s more focused on her art than anything else. She took it a step further and talked about the importance of art.

“Rather than just seeing art, we should be art,” Clunie said. “And I consider myself a Black artist because I think art springs from who we are. I was born in the segregated South.”



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