Short Film Screening + Director Q&A — Painting Ourselves Into Society
About this Event
Join Rahsaan "New York" Thomas, Executive Director of Empowerment Avenue, for a free screening of a documentary inspired by the exhibition "Painting Ourselves Into Society," co-curated with artist Orlando O. Smith at the Berkeley Art Center in 2024. This groundbreaking exhibition featured eight system-impacted artists and explored the theme of re-entering social consciousness through art. The documentary highlights Smith's journey in bringing the project to life and shares the stories of two additional artists. Stay for a live Q&A with the director after the screening.
🎟️ Free but RSVP highly suggested (limited seatings)
📅 July 26, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
📍Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street, Berkeley CA 94709.
ABOUT EMPOWERMENT AVENUE
Empowerment Avenue is a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded by Rahsaan “New York” Thomas and freelance writer Emily Nonko while Rahsaan was incarcerated at San Quentin State Pr*son in Marin County, California. Rahsaan paroled in February of 2023 and now serves as the Executive Director.
Our approach includes building inside-outside partnerships based on distinct themes and support services. We currently have three active tracks. Writing for Liberation supports journalists, writers and poets. Visual Arts for Liberation supports visual artists. Film for Liberation, our newest track, builds power through documentary storytelling in collaboration with currently and formerly incarcerated people. Rooted in collective liberation, this track grows from the impact of Rahsaan’s Friendly Signs and Adamu Chan’s What These Walls Won’t Hold — continuing the work of transforming narratives and reclaiming our stories from inside and beyond the walls. Now Empowerment Avenue works with currently incarcerated filmmakers to bring their stories to the screen.
ABOUT THE BERKELEY ART CENTER
Berkeley Art Center (BAC) is a hub for artisitic exploration and community building that champions work by Bay Area artists and curators. Located in Live Oak Park in North Berkeley, we make contemporary art approachable at an intimate scale while serving diverese communities through exhibitions and artist-conceived events, workshops, and programs.
Since its founding in 1967, BAC has exhibited work by important local figures such as Enrique Chagoya, Mildred Howard, Jung Lui, Jim Melchert, Taraneh Hemami, Lava Thomas, David Huffman, and Carrie Mae Weems, among others.
Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 12 - 5 pm.
Interested to learn more about what's happening at BAC? Click here!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 28.52
