BLACK RESILIENCY: COPING WITH A GLOBAL EMERGENCY AS A BLACK ARTIST
2ND AFRO-COSTA RICAN VISUAL ARTS GATHERING (II EAAV): BLACK RESILIENCY: COPING WITH A GLOBAL EMERGENCY AS A BLACK ARTIST
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019
VIRTUAL EVENT
On October 29th, 2019, Atizay proudly hosted its inaugural I Encuentro Afrocostarricense de Artes Visuales (First Afro-Costa Rican Visual Arts Gathering), known as I EAAV, at the Museo Del Jade in Costa Rica. This cultural gathering served as a crucial wake-up call to recognize the underrepresentation of the Afro art community in Costa Rica and to celebrate their profound contributions to the arts.
In its second year, Atizay's II Encuentro Afrocostarricense de Artes Visuales (Second Afro-Costa Rican Visual Arts Gathering), known as II EAAV, focused on the theme of BLACK Resiliency, highlighting the strength and adaptability of the Black community in the face of a global emergency. Last year, the event called attention to the underrepresentation of the Afro community in the visual arts scene, encouraging exploration and understanding of Afro-Costa Rican experiences. This year, from October 30 to November 1, 2020, the EAAV brought together artists and audiences to address the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic issues impacting Black lives worldwide.
The II Encuentro Afrocostarricense de Artes Visuales was held virtually due to the pandemic, gathering ten visual artists along with over twenty performers and specialists from around the globe, including Costa Rica, the United States, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. This adapted edition created a safe space for Black visual artists to share their experiences and the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Through panel discussions, a virtual exhibition, and engaging musical and artistic performances, the event fostered connections and shared experiences, even across distances. It highlighted the resilience of the Black diaspora and emphasized the importance of community and creativity in navigating these unprecedented times.
The event underscored the resilience of the Black community, emphasizing the necessity of creating supportive spaces and opportunities for artists to thrive and voice their experiences. Amidst the ongoing global crisis, the EAAV aimed to provide tools and platforms for Black artists to continue sharing their work with a global audience.
Program Highlights:
Day 1 - October 30, 2020:
The event kicked off with an Inauguration Panel featuring artists from Costa Rica, conducted in Spanish at 6 PM EST.
The opening night of the visual art exhibit set the stage for a weekend of artistic exploration, running through November 1st.
An exhilarating After Party with performances by invited artists concluded the first day at 8 PM EST.
Day 2 - October 31, 2020:
A series of workshops and talks took place throughout the day, offering insights and skill-building for artists and participants.
The visual art exhibit continued, showcasing the rich diversity of Black artistic expression.
Day 3 - November 1, 2020:
The Closing Panel featured invited artists, providing an English-language discussion at 5 PM EST.
The visual art exhibit remained open, allowing attendees to continue exploring the showcased works.
The event wrapped up with another electrifying After Party featuring live performances at 7 PM EST.
The EAAV successfully fostered a sense of community and support, ensuring that Black artists have the resources and encouragement they need to navigate these challenging times. As we continue to face global crises, events like these play a crucial role in amplifying Black voices and celebrating their invaluable contributions to the arts and society at large.
“Where Culture, Art & Diversity meet.”