Imagine Freedom Closing Party + LIVE Auction: RSVP today and receive a viewing pass to The Prison in Twelve Landscapes!
New Mural at 4400 Telegraph!
Image of BUILD UNITY mural, designed by Leslie Lopez, Dom Villeda, and the Second Saturdays community
Dear Critical Resistance friends,
Before the pandemic hit, Critical Resistance (CR), neighbors, and movement partners were gathering at 4400 Telegraph in North Oakland for a community event series called Second Saturdays. Event activities include story circles uplifting our people, participatory mural planning, music, food and simple CR outreach. In the highly gentrified neighborhood, we aimed to learn from current and former longtime community neighbors about how our plans for 4400 Telegraph can increase community well being and to design a new mural to uplift these lessons.
Muralist and grafitera Leslie “Dime” Lopez led mural brainstorms with community after each story circle, which she then shared with North Oakland sign painter Dominic “Treat-UNice” Villeda. Both artists have deep roots in the neighborhood, and together, we created a mural reflective of community expressions and learnings from Second Saturdays. During these challenging times, we are still organizing to make abolition irresistible!
In honor of the Second Saturday of October, we are humbled to share this new mural with you all! Their artwork on the walls are not only beautiful, powerful messages but function as vibrant community elevation and protection of this space. Please check out the Second Saturdays People's Reportback to learn more about the Story Circles, and stay tuned for more 4400 Telegraph updates.
Toward liberation,
Critical Resistance
P.S. Also enjoy both Leslie and Dom's artwork in the Imagine Freedom: Art Works for Abolition exhibition and auction, info below.
Check out the Second Saturdays People's Reportback HERE.
"Making Abolition Irresistible" videos and Closing Party!
Next Artist Talk on CR Facebook Live
Sat, Oct 10 @ 4pm PDT – Sadie Barnett with Essence Harden Link to CR Facebook
We have started an Imagine Freedom: Art Works for Abolition video playlist, including the artist talks from our "Making Abolition Irresistible" webinar. Watch all the videos here.
Closing Party + LIVE Auction on Tuesday, October 13th
RSVP today and get a free viewing pass for The Prison in Twelve Landscapes film.
Tue, October 13, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM PDT
Virtual Exhibition of the artwork at 5:30pm PDT. Arrive early to enjoy.
Live auction of artwork by Lava Thomas, Kenturah Davis, Shawn Theodore, Theaster Gates, Wangari Mathenge, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, and Hank Willis Thomas.
also featuring
Dr. Leigh Raiford, Host Committee
Poetry from Fred Moten, Host Committee
"In the Studio" with Meryl Pataky, Featured Artist Women's Center for Creative Work, Movement Partner sponsor
*Raffles * Guest appearances * and more*
Imagine Freedom: Art Works for Abolition is now LIVE on Artsy.net.
We invite you to look at the incredible artwork, place bids, and share this newsletter with your community. Works on artsy.net range from $50+, and the exhibition is worth a look!
P.S. Looking for art under $100? Be sure to check out Nisha K Sethi’s new “JOY!” print, custom-made for Imagine Freedom! You can buy a print here; all proceeds go to CR. Nisha is a printmaker and member of Trust Your Struggle collective. (You too can run a DIY art sale and donate proceeds. Email us to learn more.)
Curatorial + Planning Committee:
Ashara Ekundayo (Curator) * Hans Kuzmich * Jess Heaney * Maya Futrell * Mieke Marple *Shirley Leslie * T Rasheed * William Ramirez
