The Essence of Democracy is an Arts Project ONLINE virtual event series featuring conversations with artists whose work gives voice to those often unheard. Ann Lalik, gallery director and arts coordinator at Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV), will moderate the panel consisting of the artist, PSU-LV faculty or staff and a student whose discipline, life experiences and interests align with the artist’s message and concept.
Ify Chiejina's "Thrown Off The Boat" acrylic painting.
The webinar series amplifies voices that are often stifled through racism, gender discrimination, homophobia, ableism, etc. Often fear or ignorance allow the perpetuation of suppression through systemic oppression.
The third event in the series will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Featured New York City artist Ifeatuanya Chiejina (Ify) will be joined by PSU-LV Chancellor Tina Richardson and PSU-LV student Makayla Brown-Paul, in this event. Titled “Dying to Dream,” the subject matter symbolically illustrates the black experience through times of slavery, colonialism and racial discrimination.
Ify Chiejina, New York City artist, will speak at the next virtual Arts project online event.
Chiejina is a visual artist born and raised in Queens, New York. Chiejina is a black Igbo female with ideas, thoughts, and truths that are rooted and reflective of different customs and traditions. As a Nigerian-American, Chiejina considers the tensions and complexities that come with being brought up in an African household, in a western society. Chiejina has completed a certificate program from the Caribbean Cultural Center of African Diaspora Institute’s Community Arts University Without Walls in 2015. She has participated in residencies at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Chiejina has showcased her art for SMO Contemporary Art, Prizm Art Fair, Penn State Lehigh Valley and her paintings are in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection. Chiejina has also completed cover art for the Criterion Collection and is one of the founding members of the Southeast Queens Artist Alliance, (SEQAA).
All Arts Project ONLINE events will be hosted via Zoom and are free and open to the public. Each session will be in webinar format with a Q&A opportunity at the end of the program. Visit the Essence of Democracy registration page to sign up and receive the zoom information.
This series is supported by the Dr. Ann Williams Visiting Innovator Program Endowment, Student Activity Fee and the PA Council on the Arts.
Contact Ann Lalik with questions at [email protected] or by calling 610-285-5261.
