Join us for the launch of the Creative Nexus Series, tailored for BIPOC and LGBTQ artists. Kick off the evening with an Opening Artist Reception at 6:00 PM, featuring the works of Alfredo Garcia. Enjoy an engaging artist talk that provides insight into Garcia's creative process and inspirations. The reception sets the stage for a dynamic lineup of performances, showcasing a diverse array of music, poetry, and visual arts.
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
Kickoff Event Schedule:
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6:00pm: Opening reception for Gallery Exhibition of Alfredo Garcia's Work with Music by David Muñoz
6:30pm: Artist Conversation and Q&A with Alfredo Garcia and MC Jess Pope
7:00pm: Welcome and Introduction to the Creative Nexus
7:10pm: IAM
7:20pm: Lyla June
8:20pm: Jah Movement
9:20 pm - 9:30 pm: Closing Remarks
This event is a collaboration with WSLR+Fogartyville and Emerge Sarasota, and is sponsored by the Live Music Society. It’s not just an event —it’s an immersive experience designed to connect and celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of diverse artists. Don’t miss this inspiring evening in the heart of Sarasota’s artistic community!
Meet the Artists
Jess Pope
Jess Pope is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses dance, performance, photography, videography, and installation. She received a BA from Ringling College of Art and Design and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. They have danced with Moving Ethos Dance Theatre since 2008 and have shown work at the Micro WIP residency at the Ringling Museum of Art. Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, SPAACES Gallery, Festering Liberation Show at the University of Minnesota Morris, and more.
@theJPope
Alfredo Garcia
Alfredo is a Bradenton-based fine arts painter, sculptor, and owner of Arte Coyoanao gallery. Alfredo studied art at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa in Mexico and brought his rich culture and desire to excel as an artist to the U.S. His artworks convey a unique view of the world, colored by his individual beliefs and experiences. Alfredo is deeply optimistic - he believes strongly in the goodness of people and this world, which is reflected in his art and personal values.​​​​​
@arte.coyoacano
David Muñoz
David Muñoz specializes in a mesmerizing world music fusion that blends the passionate rhythms of flamenco, the sophistication of classical, the warmth of Latin jazz, the charm of Brazilian bossa nova, and the exotic melodies of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music.
@arte_de_daveed
Lyla June
Dr. Lyla June Johnston (aka Lyla June) is a poet, singer-songwriter, hip-hop artist, human ecologist, public speaker and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages. Her multi-genre presentation style has engaged audiences across the globe towards personal, collective and ecological healing. Her messages focus on Indigenous issues and solutions, supporting youth, inter-cultural healing, historical trauma, and traditional land stewardship practices.
@lylajune
IAM
Iris Agustina Morales (IAM) is a Queer multifaceted artist who intertwines performance, poetry and visual art to conjure the profound wisdom of their ancestors. Embarking on a journey of self discovery. Weaving together the realms of identity, spirituality and ancestral legacy all leading to the power of healing and transformation. She has paved way for the quest of truth and the confrontation of the shadows of her own past to reveal the beauty of resilience.
Featuring
Jah Movement
Jah Movement burst onto the Florida music scene in May 2015 with their unique reggae sound, and in less than a year had taken the circuit by storm, winning the hearts of fans young and old alike. Lead vocalist Damie Caines, formerly of popular band 'Democracy', offers his unique sound to Jah Movement's incredible music, while Shantel Norman - one of the most popular female vocalists in Southwest Florida - leaves audiences with their jaws on the floor, thanks to her incredible talent that's won her multiple awards.Their accolades speak for themselves; Manasota Honors 2021 Musical Artist of the Year, Creative Loafing’s 2019, 2018, & 2016 Best Reggae Band in the Florida Tampa Bay Area, and runner-up of the 2017 Best Reggae Band in the Florida Tampa Bay Area.
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But Jah Movement's success is not just down to their impressive awards. This talented group of musicians from the South West Florida region bring individuality to every show, showcasing a diverse range of styles from R&B to funk and soul, making for an unforgettable performance for audiences of all ages. It's no wonder they've had the privilege of opening for greats like Ky-Mani Marley, Inner Circle, and Black Uhuru.​
@jahmovementband