A Higher Hand Guides Me

ARIA | A Higher Hand Guides Me is a bold affirmation of creation/creativity as an act of communion with God. This opera is inspired by the work of Lou Nell Sims, a self-taught mixed media artist who hails from the Tenth Street Historic Freedmen's Town District. Using a wide range of art mediums, her work is a practice of reshaping forms of worship in her image. With a compelling Christian faith, Sims guides viewers into her holy, creative practice through abstract forms that hold deep spiritual meaning. This performance serves as a sonic dedication to Black vernacular expression, improvisation, and worship.

Presented by Johnny Brown

A dynamic tenor and multidisciplinary performer based in Dallas, Johnny Brown is known for weaving together musical genres into immersive storytelling experiences. He’s been featured with the Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Opera, the Orpheus Chamber Singers, Verdigris Ensemble, the Dallas Bach Society, Grammy-winning artist Kirk Franklin, and more.

Creative Direction by Hakeem Adewumi

A Nigerian-American photographer, creative director, and Fulbright Fellow, based in Dallas, TX. His work explores the intersections of Blackness, spirituality, identity, and memory across various mediums, including portrait photography, installation, and archival storytelling. His recent work has been exhibited as the Artist-in-Residence for the esteemed Gardner Museum in Boston and the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth.

In Partnership with [bc] Workshop

The buildingcommunityWORKSHOP (bcWORKSHOP) is a Texas-based nonprofit design center committed to improving the livability of communities through thoughtful, inclusive design. Their work centers community voices, especially in under-resourced neighborhoods, and creates spaces where art, architecture, and storytelling intersect.

Host or Publisher Juneteenth House