It Takes A Village | Artivism In A Pandemic

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It Takes A Village | Artivism In A Pandemic

November 18, 2021

7:00 pm

9:00 pm

PREMIERE FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION

Under the direction of award-winning, New Jersey-based filmmaker Kiymora Smith of The Gold Standard Production, this documentary film chronicles and highlights an ambitious, year-long, public art and community engagement initiative in East Orange, New Jersey, placing it at the center of an historic, cultural and social convergence, as was similarly occurring in cities across the United States. In response to the police-killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020 and to support the Black Lives Matter movement, a volunteer group of East Orange-based artists and a local non-profit launched a unique, mural project. The initiative commissioned sixteen area muralists and was fueled by support from an international arts powerhouse and an aggressive GoFundMe campaign. In April 2021, a 9,000 square foot, hand painted mural was prominently installed in the City's historic Manufacturer's Village. This industrial complex was built in the late 1880's as the original corporate headquarters for Johnson & Johnson, then known as Seabury & Johnson. The mural designates Manufacturer's Village and the City of East Orange as a place of creativity, community and social awareness. As you will see, creating public art is a unifying experience that strengthens our sense of humanity and connectedness to one another.

The film is complemented by original music from East Orange’s own internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Adegoke Steve Colson and Iqua Colson, along with award-winning music producer Carter “Roc” Mangan, Jr.

To view the trailer and to learn more about the project background, visit www.manufacturersvillageartists.com/blm-project

Filmmaker Bio

Kiymora “Kay The Kreator” Smith is a dynamic Cinematographer with a style that easily appeals to the eye. Learning early in her career, the concepts of photography, she applied those same theories to her video making, such as shaping light and perfecting composition. Kreator thoroughly enjoys working as a Cinematographer and aims to create visuals with meaning.

Kreator has been working as a Professional Cinematographer since 2012 but has been operating under her company The Gold Standard Productions since 2016. One year later, she teamed up with Director Yucef Mayes to create her first short film Zahra and The Oil Man, which went on to win multiple awards globally and received recognition from many festivals including The American Black Film Festival, The Bronze Lens Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard FF and The Pan Afican FF to name a few. In addition, ZAOM was featured on ABC & CBS as part of the African American Short Films series.

PANELISTS

Kiymora Smith, Director of Photography, www.kaythekreator.com

Malcolm Rolling, Lead Artist and Muralist, www.725studios.com

Simone Bailey Campbell, Muralist, www.screamingblushop.com

Cynthia Vaughn Muralist, www.cjgallery.com

This event is presented in partnership with MAM’s African American Cultural Committee (AACC). For more information about the AACC, please email [email protected]

FM headsets for sound amplification are available upon request.

By registering for this event you agree to follow all COVID safety guidelines, and agree to our waiver. Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or negative PCR test taken with 72 hours required for ages 12 and older. Masks required for ages 2 and older.