upcoming grant deadline: 05/15/2024
PAINTED BRIDE ARTS AND ADVOCACY PROJECT CULMINATES IN DOUBLE FEATURE AND EXHIBITION BY PHILLY ARTISTS
PHILADELPHIA, PA— BrideNext, Painted Bride Art Center’s newest arts initiative, culminates in a double presentation and gallery exhibit on November 17 and 18 at 8pm. Artists ILL DOOTS and Belle Alvarez, present original works centered on gentrification and immigration, respectively.
With theatre artist Marty Pottenger as the project’s lead facilitator, BrideNext brings together Philadelphia’s millennial generation of artists, city workers, and social justice activists. In April, music collective ILL DOOTS and choreographer Belle Alvarez joined the project as artists in residence, each tasked with creating original programming to address local issues through creativity and advocacy. Together, Pottenger, ILL DOOTS, Alvarez, and Painted Bride have engaged Philadelphians through civic dialogues, potlucks, workshops, and community events. This November, the artists present their works in a one-weekend-only run of performances.
ILL DOOTS present Existence, Resistance and the Sounds of Surroundings. Centered on gentrification, this multimedia concert uses music to amplify the stories, grievances, and desires of the residents neighboring the ever-expanding campus of Temple University. The material for this production is sourced directly from conversations and workshops with individuals, community organizations, and Temple University representatives about the the displacement and cultural erasure of gentrification.
ILL DOOTS will mount an accompanying installation in the gallery that acts as both a selfie booth and a space for self-reflection. Projected video is the plan as of now as well as Selfie booth & we want to put up reflective wallpaper on two walls if possible on either side of projection. We'd also want to loop some music via speakers.
Belle Alvarez’s work focuses on justice and selfhood for American immigrants. Ageless Dream: Historias Nuestras threads together memories of home, journeys across national borders, and questions around the American crisis of immigration. In partnership with Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Aquinas Center, and New Sanctuary Movement, Belle will facilitate a dialogue rooted in movement among migrant communities and allies.
Alvarez’s portion of the exhibit, entitled So what? Reflections from Community Organizers of Philadelphia, is a series of portraits by Jeremy Zimmerman. Alvarez and Zimmerman interviewed three millennial organizers in about their life journeys, hopes, fears, and vision for social change. Bethany Welch, Jazmín Delgado, Diana Misdary live and work in between the spaces of activism and academia, neighborhood and institution.
BrideNext’s Culminating Showcase happens at Painted Bride Art Center November 17 and 18 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 General Admission. To purchase, log on to paintedbride.org or call 215.925.9914. For press inquiries, please contact Communications Manager Matthew Thompson at mthompson@paintedbride.org.
