Recap: Ekphrasis In Black’s Kikis In The Poet Tree
A night of celebration of art, poetry, and empowerment
When walking through the doors of NorthStar Church of the Arts that night, you were met with the feeling that this experience was carefully crafted just with you in mind.
Immediately as you entered, you were invited to a bounty of food that was catered to taste good and feel good, like a precursor to the art to be consumed that evening.
At the end of the table, you were offered Capricorn’s Bounty Tea and looked up to banners depicting the star zodiac signs of the Ekphrasis In Black cohort draped on the stained-glass windows.
All of these happenings conspired to the sounds of a playlist curated for this occasion.
Black. Vibe-y. Free.
Welcome to the ethereal tea party.
On July 17th, Ekphrasis In Black, a 10-week photography and poetry incubator from our artist-in-residence, Mariah M., hosted its closing ceremony at NorthStar Church of the Arts.
This closing ceremony entitled “Kikis in the Poet Tree: a Black ethereal tea party” served as an exhibition of their works made during this time, a poetry reading, and the release party for their zine, Sips of Freedom.
On the brick walls were their works for exhibit, adorned in flowers and foliage. Family and friends of the five cohort members came out to support them with snaps of their fingers and “mmm’s” when the poetry hit just right.
From left: Charm, Nilaja, Princess, Zili & Trinity of the EIB Cohort with facilitator and TBP Artist In Residence, Mariah M. during the Kikis In The Poet Tree closing at NorthStar Church of the Arts.
Sips of Freedom
This zine serves as a collection of love letters to the black queer community, whose legacy of revolution, authenticity, and perseverance has created a beautiful memory.
Congratulations to Ekphrasis In Black for all their work during this incubator and for a wonderful exhibition and zine release.
A special thank you to the Poetry Foundation for their support in making this cohort, exhibition, and evening come to fruition.
