Hampton Art Lovers Presents : The Summit of Shade aka "The Shady Summit"

This summit brings together thought leaders and advocates for improved shade for low-income communities in South Florida. Where policymakers, neighborhood associations, and residents will participate in workshops to build consensus and solutions on increasing tree canopy in African-American neighborhoods and other working-class communities.

When the intensity of the pounding Miami sun becomes unbearable, the shade of a large tree can be an oasis of comfort–if there is a tree to be found in the neighborhood. Beyond comfort, trees protect our air, contribute to our health, and act as historic community markers. The tree as protector and symbol for what keeps us rooted is the subject of our community summit but inspired by our art exhibit entitled, “Under a Simple Tree: The Canopy Policy Project,” presented by Hampton Art Lovers at Green Space Miami. The provocative series, a kind of meditation on the life-giving and community-building significance of trees, will also present solutions for increasing Miami-Dade’s dwindling tree canopy.

The art exhibit is organized into three parts representing the crown, the roots, and the leaves of the trees that nourish us. Curator and Co-Founder of Hampton Art Lovers, Christopher Norwood collected leaves from sights of social and historic importance in Miami Dade County trees that artist Brandon Clarke then used in his mixed media artworks. For example, leaves from the tree that stands between two historic black churches in Seminola in Hialeah, a tree in Coconut Grove that serves as an informal gathering spot, a Cypress tree on Miccosukee land, and leaves from a tree at Little Haiti’s Notre Dame d’Haiti Catholic Church.

A shade tree is a large tree whose primary role is to provide shade in the surrounding environment due to its spreading canopy and crown, where it may give shelter from sunlight for people who seek comfort. Through 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 capture 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: “'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 socio-economic dynamics."

In cities like Miami, asphalt is a perfect absorber of heat, and 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. As a result of the low tree canopy, 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.

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About 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. https://www.hamptonartlovers.com/

About Brandon Clarke:

Brandon Clarke is a second-generation artist whose vibrant paintings reflect his grandmother's influence and his unique perspective. With a background in architecture, Clarke's art explores self-awareness and cultural growth through bold colors and abstract forms. His mixed media approach allows viewers to interpret his work through their own experiences, inviting them to engage with the narratives he creates. Brandon lives in South Dade County with his wife and children. He and his wife are both graduates of Hampton University, where Brandon earned his Bachelor's and Master's in Architecture. www.brandonclarkeart.com.

About Green Space Miami

Green Space Miami, a Green Family Foundation Trust project, is a platform for showcasing Miami's diverse artistic talent. Through exhibitions and educational programs, Green Space Miami supports local artists and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Miami-Dade County. For more information about "Under a Simple Tree: The Canopy Policy Project," please visit Hampton Art Lovers' website or contact the gallery directly. https://greenspacemiami.org/

About FIU Commons for Justice

The FIU Commons for Justice strives to build a research-analysis-awareness-voice-solutions program to identify, illustrate, and address the deep racial and ethnic inequities in pre-event disaster exposures and vulnerabilities and in post-event resilience resources and capacities. https://commonsforjustice.fiu.edu/

About Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab at FIU

The Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL) serves as FIU’s hub for public-facing humanities research, teaching, and engagement. Our lab uses FIU’s status as an urban research institution and its strategic location in Miami to capture and magnify the creative, scholarly, and pedagogical expertise of faculty, staff, and students who are committed to doing public-facing work. https://wphl.fiu.edu/index.html

Host or Publisher Hampton Art Lovers