MUSIC THAT RAISED US

Music That Raised Us is a contemporary art exhibition curated by Rhea Beckett, featuring artwork by Black Artist Research Space (BARS) resident artists Aliana Grace Bailey and Christopher “kolpeace” Johnson. 

Inspired by shared moments exchanging playlists, and reminiscing over music, Aliana and kolpeace transform the gallery into a space that celebrates, reflects on and acknowledges Black sonic practices and traditions. 

Working across a range of mediums including fiber art, oil and acrylic paint, and installation, Aliana and Kolpeace consider the way memory and feelings of nostalgia are evoked by sound. Both artists explore various genres of Black music to unpack familial relationships, creating colorful artworks that resonate and respond to moments embedded with music.

The exhibition features images from the I. Henry Phillips Collection, music posters from Globe at MICA, and a video collaboration between media artist J’von Keller and BARS, reflecting the way music has lifted Black people. 

ARTISTS

Aliana Grace Bailey was born and raised in Washington, DC. She is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, socially-engaged art practitioner, and passionate advocate for radical self-love, wellness, and healing. Aliana has held art residencies in Ghana, west Africa, Maryland, Washington, DC, and an apprenticeship at The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia. She has exhibited in numerous galleries, including the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Michigan, Frampton Co in New York, the Carrack Modern Art in North Carolina, and Transformer in Washington DC. In 2019, Aliana was the featured teaching artist at Evenings at the Edge: Wonder Woman at The National Gallery of Art in DC. Aliana is a recipient of the Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Foundation Fellowship, the Leslie King Hammond Graduate Fellowship, the Libby Bowerman ’82 Fellowship, and TILA Studios Above Four Fund. In 2022, she will complete a residency with MASS MoCA in Massachusetts and Elsewhere Living Museum in North Carolina. She is a 2014 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she double-majored, earning a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Art in Visual Arts Media Design. In May 2020, Aliana earned her MFA in Community Arts and a Certificate in the College Teaching of Art from Maryland Institute College of Art.

Christopher “kolpeace” Johnson is an interprofessional and multidisciplinary artist, South Carolina born and raised. He is a 2021 graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art Community Arts MFA Program. His practice intersects studio painting, live performative soul painting, murals, community artist (Workshops with youth, adults, and elders), video & photo documentation that incorporates his southern style of trill, trap, and soul performance art in an attempt to encourage the ideal black peace he grew to love and spread. With these elements of creativity combined, he refers to this as kolpeace (Kids Only Love Peace). This is a small benefactor influencing young boys and girls of color with education, stories, and encouragement through his practice. Infusing music, artistic tools, and unique unorthodox tools to produce art in a matter of minutes in front of multiple audiences in the community.

KEMETIC YOGA & sound

Michelle Blu &