News

“Chromatic Expressions” by Megan Lewis: A Celebration of Vibrant Diversity at the Community Folk Art Center

On View from March 25th – May 4th 2024

Chromatic Expressions Exhibition at The Community Folk Art Center, Painting of Person in Yellow Hat, CFAC Logo

The Community Folk Art Center is thrilled to announce the opening of “Chromatic Expressions,” a captivating art exhibition by the esteemed artist Megan Lewis. The exhibition will be on view from March 25, 2024, to May 4, 2024, inviting art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Lewis’s vivid world of figurative painting and muralism. Lewis will also have an artist talk on April 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Community Folk Art Center where she will delve into her creative process, inspirations, and the themes explored in “Chromatic Expressions.”

About the Artist: Born in 1989 in Baltimore, MD, Megan Lewis is an accomplished artist who graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Her artistic journey has been marked by a commitment to celebrating the beauty, resilience, and complexity of the Black experience. Lewis’s work as a figurative painter is characterized by her masterful use of the palette knife, infusing her creations with bold colors, geometric patterns, and intricate textiles. Through her fantastical subjects, Lewis invites viewers to contemplate the thoughts and emotions of her characters, each embodying a unique narrative shaped by chance encounters and the artist’s boundless imagination. Embedded within Lewis’s layered canvases are profound conversations on the social and historical portrayals of the Black body. In her statement, Lewis shares her journey of self-discovery and artistic expression, rooted in her experiences, memories, and aspirations.

The Community Folk Art Center is honored to host “Chromatic Expressions,” a testament to Megan Lewis’s extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to artistic innovation and social justice, says executive director and curator Tanisha Jackson. As a beacon of cultural and artistic pluralism, CFAC is dedicated to promoting the work of artists of the African Diaspora and fostering dialogue, understanding, and appreciation within our community and beyond. Join us in celebrating the opening of “Chromatic Expressions” and experiencing the transformative power of Megan Lewis’s art. The exhibition promises to be a journey of discovery, inspiration, and celebration of the rich tapestry of human experience.

Art Unveiling Ceremony: The Ancestor as Foundation

You are cordially invited to witness the unveiling of “The Ancestor as Foundation,” crafted by the esteemed artist Dr. David MacDonald, Professor. Emeritus. This captivating artwork has been commissioned and generously gifted to the Department of African American Studies in honor of the legendary Toni Morrison by the esteemed Dr. Janis A. Mayes, Emerita faculty.

Dr. Mayes served the Department of African American Studies, teaching Black World Literatures in English and French languages, from 1982-2020. Toni Morrison was the Jeannette K. Watson Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Humanities at Syracuse University in 1988. Recipient of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature, Toni Morrison completed her first novel, The Bluest Eye, (1970) in Syracuse, New York.

RSVP Today 

Date: March 28, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Community Folk Art Center
805 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210

Art Unveiling Toni Morrison and glass case

Poetic Black Fusion Writers Workshop

Calling all Poets! If you’re looking for a writing community to enhance your skills and creativity then look no further. Join Cedric T. Bolton and Kofi Antwi on Saturday, March 30th at 12:00 PM for Poetic Black Fusion writer’s workshop.

Poetic Black Fusion is a writers’ workshop that provides access and opportunities to poets of the African Diaspora living in Central New York. This program is a social outlet for community members to develop as writers, and express themselves from the page to the stage.

Register Today

Snaps & Taps Open Mic – Celebrating Women

Join us on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30 PM for Snaps & Taps Open Mic Night in celebration of Women’s History Month. Hosted by the one and only Sofia Rodriguez with music by DJ Shy Guy! Whether you’re a poet or musician this open mic is the place to be. So grab your friends, bring your snaps and taps, and let’s make some magic together.

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Snaps & Taps Open Mic Night image of Sofa Rodriguez

CommuniVersity – Financial Planning

It’s never too late to start your financial planning journey. Join us on Saturday, March 23rd at 12:00 PM for an informative conversation on college education funding, retirement planning, long term care, and more with Beatrice Oduor, Dr. Dorothy Rombo and Jecinter Otieno. This event is free and open to everyone.

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CommuniVersity Financial Planning image of Beatrice Odouor, Dr, Dorothy Rombo and Jecinter Oteinto

‘Unveiled Echoes’ An Artist Conversation with Jalen Law

Join Jalen Law, artist of ‘Unveiled Echoes’ for an open discussion with the community as he reflects on his artistic journey and the power of technology within the arts. Take an interactive look into the rich history of The Erie Canal with an exhibition that brings narratives to life.  This event is free and open to community. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 16th, 3:00 PM

Community Folk Art Center, Gallery 

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Jalen Law at The Community Folk Art Center with painting of William Douglas

Tony International Live Jazz Under Spoken Word

Get ready to groove to the sounds of Tony International Live Jazz!

Join us on Friday, March 1st at The Community Folk Art Center for a night of musical performances and spoken word with house band SMX Shawn Seals. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the show will begin at 7:00 PM. General admission for this event is $20.00

To purchase tickets please get in touch with event headliner, Tony Eiland at 315-876-2284.

A Celebration of Black Icons In Dance

Get ready for a night of inspirational dance performances with Charles Haislah, The Creative Arts Academy, and CFAC-DanceLab as we pay tribute to dance trailblazers through history. This event is free and open to the community!

Saturday, February 24th, 5:30 PM

Community Folk Art Center, Black Box Theater

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The Right To Read Film Screening & Discussion

Join the Syracuse Onondaga County NAACP and Community Folk Art Center for a special screening and panel discussion of The Right To Read. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, February 22nd, 5:30 PM 
Community Folk Art Center, Black Box Theater & Gallery

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Guest panelists for the evening include, Dr. Katrina Allen-White, Principal, Syracuse City School District; Courtney Mauldin, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Teaching and Leadership Department at the Syracuse University School of Education; Carin Reeve, Director of Literacy for the Oswego City School District; and Mary Curcio, New York State Representative for “Read to Them,” Vice President of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, member of the advisory board for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Oswego County, Executive Director of Victory Transformation, a men’s homeless shelter and former Superintendent, McGraw Central School District, The panel discussion and Q & A session will be moderated by Tanisha M. Jackson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of African American Studies and Executive Director of the Community Folk Art Center.

About The Film: The Right To Read,  shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most powerful foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.

CommuniVersity : The Art of Generational Wealth

It’s never too late to start your financial planning journey. Join us at the Community Folk Art Center on , February 13th at 6:30 PM for tips on how to preserve your legacy through investing. Financial literacy is the cornerstone of empowerment and success in today’s complex world. Understanding how money works, from budgeting and saving to investing and planning for the future, is not just a skill; it’s a key that unlocks doors to financial freedom. Join the dynamic discussion led by CFAC Education Outreach Coordinator, Cedric T. Bolton, alongside special guest, Emad Rahim, Ph.D., Syracuse Surge Entrepreneurship Manager at CenterState CEO. Topic include: cryptocurrency, real estate investing, and entrepreneurship. 

Register Today