Saint Paul Almanac is pleased to support Saint Paul filmmaker Phillip McGraw’s documentary 8 Seasons of Art: A Black Arts Story.
8 Seasons of Art is a groundbreaking story about the Black arts community in Minnesota. The “8” in the title represents infinite creativity in the minds of artists.
In the documentary, director Phillip McGraw follows the story of painters, musicians, and poets as they use their unique and artistic style to respond to the current conditions of society.
Each of the four chapters in the film demonstrates the way and life of artists. The consequences of long-term social and economic injustice, institutional racism, and structural violence are real. The artists use their season of artistry to raise the spirit of residents in the Twin Cities.
The goal of the film is to raise the awareness of art-making and observing art as the foundation for healing trauma and building healthier communities. Some of the topics discussed by the artists include: gentrification, cultural miseducation, police brutality, afro-futurism, and the pursuit of Black joy.
Director McGraw asserts that 1) art is consciousness—a state of awareness and inspiration to create pieces of art to address the problems of communities; and 2) that unconditional love illuminates the path toward justice. McGraw’s style is self-described as “raw and unschooled,” yet he skillfully bends camera angles and uses light to accent the unfiltered truth in each artist’s interview.
This is a story for and by artists who have taken on the burden of reconnecting the mind, body, and spirit of the community with color, light, sounds, and new vibrations.
Participating artists include Kenneth Caldwell, Ta-coumba Aiken, Ron Brown, Danielle Daniels, Keno Evol, Tish Jones, Abdul Sesay, Jasmin Boudah, Joe Davis, Jamela Pettiford, Broderick Poole, Jibrell, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan, O.S.P., and Mayyadda.
Screening Event
Date: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Location: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Parkway N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: $12 per person
*Light refreshments will be served.
Questions: Email info@monarchmelaninfilms.com or call 612.469.6844.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-premiere-of-8-seasons-of-art-tickets-48150649890?aff=eivtefrnd
ABOUT MONARCH MELANIN FILMS
Website: www.monarchmelaninfilms.com
Vimeo:
Trailer 1 https://vimeo.com/280228804
Trailer 2 https://vimeo.com/280231471
Trailer 3 https://vimeo.com/280296401