In Nairobi, Kenya I worked with young photographers in the city’s Kibera slum, and started a photobook library for a weekly photography class.
In Takoma Park MD, I collaborated with Takoma Artery collective for a 'Climate Arts Cafe’ event.
I also hosted a music/visual arts series about harnessing the power of art in the climate crisis, against tyranny and war, and building community. We showcased and promoted the growth of a ‘future-arts’ movement and partnered with artists, groups, and organizations to find innovative ways to make a difference.
Viaduct Arts started as a house salon for local music and visual art with topical relevance, exploring topics like Mars, fracking, climate, social justice and others. When COVID shut that down, we moved to outdoor concerts in my driveway called Roadside Attractions, with socially-distanced audiences across the street. My driveway became a micro-local live music venue for the community. At the time, there was literally nowhere else to play in the DC area. We got city funding to pay honorariums to the otherwise out-of-work artists. RA had incredible sets by the likes of Yasmin Williams, who has since been featured in Rolling Stone and NY Times.
How can artists help in ways that are particular to art? Can art help shift the paradigm in ways that are needed? How can art/artists be leveraged for greatest impact?
Juels Bland is a Takoma Park singer-songwriter with varied roots in rock, folk, indie, and soul. He's the kind of guy that would send a bio like this: "Juels Bland is a local singer-songwriter that wants to make you feel things." Which is longer than the "human male" he first wanted to send. So besides being a character (in the good sense) let’s say for him that he's an extremely talented and expressive singer and guitar player.
