Listen Hear

Hope you can join the the Asad Family for a Kwanza celebration at Tube Factory artspace on December 30. We are so grateful that Uzuri Asad & Bashiri Asad are part of Big Car Collaborative's long term artist residency, APLR. They are a family of amazing artists, 🤩.

About Kwanza

As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.
During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and lmani (Faith). Participants also celebrate with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles and other central cultural values.
Learn more at https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

Tonight at Listen Hear is the opening of Kierra Ready’s Rooted Radience:
Women and Natural Elements Showcasing Inner Beauty

"Rooted Radiance” is an art exhibition that pays tribute to the innate beauty, strength, and resilience of black women. Through a captivating collection of ten paintings, this show artfully captures black women in their natural element, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature. Each canvas tells a unique story, celebrating the authentic lives of women while highlighting themes of prosperity and growth.

"Rooted Radiance" not only celebrates the diverse beauty of black women but also highlights their role as symbols of growth and prosperity. By incorporating elements of nature, each painting tells a story of empowerment, resilience, and the pursuit of abundance. The show aims to inspire viewers to recognize the inherent beauty within themselves and the world around them, ultimately promoting unity and understanding.
This exhibition is a celebration of the profound connection between black women and the natural world. It showcases the inherent harmony between individuals and their surroundings, emphasizing the serenity and inspiration that arise from embracing one's authentic self. Each painting captures a moment of quiet strength, showcasing black women as they are, rooted in their own radiance.

About the artist:
Kierra Ready is a visual artist and art educator creating art that captures the beauty of the outer world and the essence of inner world, inviting viewers to engage in a moment of contemplation and self-awareness.
By incorporating elements of nature, she hope to create a serene and harmonious atmosphere that encourages mindfulness, reflection and ultimately empowerment.
Curated by Dr Jarrod Dortch of Snuggy Bear Presents
Largely underrepresented in museums and galleries, “Snuggy Bear” Dr. Jarrod Nicholas Dortch is part of a movement of Black artists and curators who are hosting exhibits and creating work that shines a light on Black culture. He has been affiliated with Big Car as a Community Artist and Gardener at the Tube Factory artspace.

Women's History Month is not only a time to honor bold women of the past but bold women of the present. Today we're featuring Shauta Marsh, Co-founder/Director of Programs and Exhibitions at Big Car Collaborative.

Shauta has lived on the Southside of Indianapolis since 1999. First in Fletcher Place, then Fountain Square. Marsh and her husband, Jim Walker, started Big Car Collaborative in the upstairs of the Murphy Arts Center in the early 2000’s.

Big Car aims to promote social connectivity, cooperation, and creativity through various projects such as the Tube Factory artspace — a contemporary art museum with a cafe, studios, and community space as well as managing a long-term affordable housing program for artists.

"I come from a family of strong women who supported their families, sometimes solely, and they taught me we can do anything and everything," said Marsh.

To learn more about upcoming exhibits and events at Big Car visit https://www.bigcar.org/.