Coffee Ceremony & Reflection with Eyakem Gulilat

In Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, there's a saying: “Buna dabo naw” (Coffee is our bread). According to legend, a 9th-century goatherd discovered coffee when he noticed the lively energy of his herd after they ate red berries. Coffee has since become a powerful connector of people.

Artist Eyakem Gulilat began incorporating the Ethiopian coffee ceremony into his practice during his Tulsa Artist Fellowship to engage with the Tulsa community. Traditionally, the coffee ceremony in Ethiopia has been a time to exchange news, discuss local events, and share wisdom passed down through generations. Gulilat continues this tradition, using it as an opportunity to bring people together, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company over coffee grown in the Asikana region of Ethiopia.

Originally from Ethiopia, Eyakem Gulilat’s work is rooted in a quest for belonging. Gulilat focuses on the complexities of cross-cultural encounter perceptions of time, memory, and place. His artistic practice questions the role of photography in contemporary American society and provides new ways of looking. Gulilat obtained his MFA from the University of Oklahoma and BA from Abilene Christian University. He has participated in numerous artists in residence, including at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, New York; at Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, Oregon; and at Light Work in Syracuse, New York. Gulilat has won several awards, including the 2012 National Endowment for the Arts grant in collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Fellowship, and the National Photography Fellowship Competition at the Midwest Center for Photography. Other awards include the En Foco New Works Photography Fellowship, the CASE-PRH Fellowship Center for Arts and Social Engagement at University of Houston. His photography work has been exhibited throughout the U.S. and in Canada and has been acquired for private and public collections. Gulilat is a 2024-2026 Tulsa Artist Fellowship awardee.

11:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Build In Tulsa doors open. Brunch menu by Prism Cafe.

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM (RSVP required)

A Dialogue On Being

Le'Andra LeSeur will host A Dialogue On Being, a panel discussion with Jessica Moss and Alexandra Jane about critical perspectives on Black art and cultivating space for the well-being of Black artists.

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM

Connection & food continues.

12:20-1:00 PM (RSVP required)

Coffee Ceremony & Reflection with Eyakem Gulilat

Join artist Eyakem Gulilat for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a tradition of sharing stories, wisdom, and community over coffee from Asikana.

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Connection & food continues.

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM (RSVP required)

The Racial Reckoning in Art and Performance

Yale University scholar and Park Avenue Armory Curator of Public Programming Tavia Nyong’o will discuss racial reckoning in theater, dance, and performance. Artist and Queen Rose Art House founder Kalup Linzy will moderate the audience conversation.

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Conversations conclude.

About Tulsa Artist Fellowship

With the belief that arts are critical to the advancement of cultural citizenship, Tulsa Artist Fellowship supports artists and arts workers in the heart of Oklahoma’s Green Country. Socially invested artistic practitioners live and work here, intentionally engaging with our city. Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) cultural initiative.

About Build In Tulsa

The mission of Build in Tulsa is to close the wealth gap in America by catalyzing the creation of multi-generational wealth through tech and entrepreneurship. Rooted in the legacy of Black Wall Street, Build in Tulsa is committed to providing opportunities for entrepreneurs who have historically been denied resources and funding.

Visitor Experience

The north entrance to Build In Tulsa is located at 124 Reconciliation Way, between MLK Jr. Blvd and Boston Ave in the Arts District. For wheelchair accessibility, please use the south entrance, which can be accessed through the Build In Tulsa parking lot at the SW corner of Archer Street and MLK Jr. Blvd. If you have any questions about accessibility, need to request accommodations, or want to share feedback, please email [email protected] or call (539) 302-4855.

Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a cultural initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Open House programs are made possible, in part, by The Bush Hughes Foundation for Progress. Special thanks to the dedicated staff, visionary awardees, artistic contributors, cultural partners, media platforms, presenters, culinary experts, and champions for supporting this ambitious weekend.

Host or Publisher Tulsa Artist Fellowship