Events

Artists, administrators, and educators will discuss their specific experiences as authors, activists, and placemakers. Moderators will pose questions investigating the impact of the arts as an effective form of activism. Participants will be encouraged to help formulate a list of best practices as well as lessons learned. Representatives from Open Buffalo, Buffalo Arts Studio, and the panelists themselves will be available for a question and answer session.

Featured Panelists:

• Julia Bottoms-Douglas is a visual artist, creative entrepreneur, and a contributor for Afropunk Media. She is the first Open Buffalo Emerging Artist, serves on the Board of Directors at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, and is an instructor for Buffalo City Summer School for the Arts, Buffalo Arts Teachers Collaborative, and Buffalo Arts Studio. S. She also owns Buffalo Brush, Paint and Sip in North Buffalo.
• Korey Green is a filmmaker who was born and raised on the East Side of Buffalo, New York. Growing up in a neighborhood where most people chose the street life, Korey made the decision to continue his education at Alfred State College where he pursued his interest in Creative Writing. The Forgotten City is Korey’s first project and since its completion, he has directed more than 10 short films and a host of music videos, commercials and a feature documentary The Experience.
• Bianca L. McGraw is a Pure Ink Poetry Slam Co-Host and Event Coordinator, Higher Education Advocate and international practicing multimedia installation/performance artist that uses art, poetry, performance and space as a vehicle for discussion about identity, diversity and perspectives while exploring personal, societal and communal experiences.
• Gary Earl Ross is a retired UB/EOC language arts professor. His works include the short story collections, historical novels and the stage plays, including The Trial of Trayvon Martin.
• Henry Louis Taylor, Jr. is a full professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo and founding director of the U.B. Center for Urban Studies. Taylor has written numerous books, articles, and technical reports, and received many awards for his research and practical activities.

Moderated by Max Anderson (Open Buffalo) and Shirley Verrico (Buffalo Arts Studio).