Hampton Art Lovers Presents: Shady Speaker Series

Shady Speaker Series

Hampton Art Lovers presents the Shady Speaker Series in partnership with GeoAg. This series is a part of the "Under a Simple Tree: The Canopy Policy Project" featuring the Art of Brandon Clarke Presented in Partnership with Green Space Miami.

The Shady Speaker Series of discussions highlights the growing trends for African Americans to reclaim agrarian roots and promote conservation efforts. Hosted by Richard Campbell of GeoAg.

GeoAG is the study of growing plants in rocks. THE Shady Speaker series highlights innovative methods to grow and sustain vegetables, fruits, and flowering plants with limited to no use of soil and fertilizers. The use of gravel in the cultivation of crops may represent the most resource-efficient method of growing crops ever to exist, especially in the concrete jungle where working-class communities are dominated by asphalt and little to no tree canopy.

Guests:

• May 21st | Christopher Norwood and Jumane N'Namdi - Shady Tree Demonstration Projects (Overtown & Little River)
• June 18th | Marvin Dunn - Teach The Truth Garden (Overtown)
• July 16th | Jennifer Tisthammer - Miami Dade County Conservation Efforts

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Hampton Art Lovers Presents: "Under a Simple Tree: The Canopy Policy Project" featuring the Art of Brandon Clarke Presented in Partnership with Green Space Miami

A shade tree is a large tree whose primary role is to protect the surrounding environment with its branching canopy and crown. The urban tree canopy protects neighborhoods from the heat of the sun and provides a place for residents to rest and gather. Miami’s old shade trees are a symbol of refuge and reunion.

Through Brandon Clarke's artwork, the exhibition highlights the significance of neighborhood trees in Miami-Dade, intertwining their stories with the communities they inhabit. Hampton Art Lovers commissioned Brandon Clarke to create the artwork for "Under a Simple Tree," selecting him for his unique ability to depict the essence of objects through his conceptualized art style. As an artist and architect, Clarke employs various mediums and styles, infusing his pieces with authenticity and provoking viewers to contemplate their identities.

Christopher Norwood, Curator and Cofounder of Hampton Art Lovers, states: "'Under a Simple Tree' transcends traditional art exhibitions by engaging with the community on a deeper level. Through Brandon Clarke's work, we aim to foster meaningful conversations about the role of trees in our neighborhoods and their impact on socioeconomic dynamics."

Art as advocacy combines creativity and activism, using visual storytelling, raising awareness, building empathy, and calling for action to inspire, educate, and motivate. The exhibition aligns with Green Space Miami's mission to elevate local artists and promote cultural dialogue within Miami-Dade County. In cities like Miami, trees are vital in mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving air quality. "Under a Simple Tree" not only celebrates the beauty of nature but also prompts us to consider the environmental and social implications of tree canopy disparities. Under a simple tree is where the community is formed. It’s under the shade of a tree that people meet, play, and counsel. This show will showcase the neighborhood trees of Miami-Dade while sharing the stories that connect them to their communities.

In cities like Miami, asphalt is a perfect absorber of heat. Along with concrete, it releases that captured heat into the air for hours, even after the sun disappears, contributing to the "urban heat island effect". A well-placed tree, on the other hand, can keep a building 18 degrees cooler than if it were fully exposed to the sun. In Miami-Dade, areas with a median household income of over 70k dollars per year have a greater percentage of shade. Due to the lack of trees, low-income neighborhoods experience higher temperatures and therefore more public health concerns. In the summer of 2021, Miami-Dade partnered with the University of Florida and Florida International University to conduct an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment, specifically outlining this disparity.

"Under a Simple Tree" provides a unique form of community engagement. This show engages various neighborhoods and residents, identifying trees that have meaning to that locality. In this process, Hampton Art Lovers collects oral histories as a part of our ongoing partnership with Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL) at FIU, and FIU Commons for Justice. These oral histories will be cataloged for public record and presented as a part of the exhibition. The audio and visuals will be developed into a documentary film that can further the reach of this show beyond its run at Green Space Miami.

One of the main themes of the oral history gathering and the show is the intersections of global warming and climate change with socioeconomics in Miami communities. How do the roles of trees change in neighborhoods with scarce resources? What happens when the shade lessens due to the ability to care for a tree, while heat increases due to the warming of the earth? This project will address these questions head-on.

Hampton Art Lovers:

Hampton Art Lovers promotes African American Fine Art and fosters cultural understanding through exhibitions and educational initiatives. As advocates for Black arts, Hampton Art Lovers seeks to amplify the voices of artists whose creativity enriches communities and inspires dialogue. hamptonartlovers.com

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