SOIL Emerging Artist Series
 
Why "SOIL"? - SOIL represents the many colors, tastes, and textures of society. SOIL is the foundation and sustenance of life. Because we transmit and maintain our culture through art, we use SOIL as a symbol of the diversity of our society and the richness of the art.
 
The goal of "SOIL" is to "put forth into view" both new and established artists of African decent by combining traditional and urban presentational approaches which invite the hip-hop generation to engage and identify with the artist, curator and institution in new and non-linear ways.
 
Participating SOIL Artists have included; Oscar Brown, Jr. Lezley Saar, Li Hardison, Ras Baraka, Kim Mayhorn, Eriq LaSalle, Danny Glover, Aishah Shahidah Simmons, bell hooks, Kevin Powell, Iya Ta'Shia Asante, Amiri Baraka, Ashara Ekundayo, Saul Williams, Sonia Sanchez, Carla Williams, Taalam Acey, Jessica Care Moore, Tania Cuevas-Martinez, Michael Dennis, Eli Jacobs Fantauzzi, Afeni Shakur, Mario VanPeebles, Melvin VanPeebles, Staceyann Chin, The Last Poets, Toni Blackman, Nefertiti Strong, and many others.
 
Past SOIL Sessions:
"Flesh Desires: Prophets, Panthers, Chickenheads & Pimps"
[Photography and Video Installation and Community Dialogue on Sexual Norms, Attitudes & Behaviors in Denver's Black Community] – Artists: Ashara Ekundayo and Chad McKelvey - Dec 04
 
“BrownSuga Fest” - coordinated by high school senior, Ietef Hotep Vita aka Michael Walker, from PS1 at The Spot in in Denver, CO-USA. Through this youth-developed and youth-executed event, local and national hip-hop artists including deejays, breakdancers, emcees, nutritionists and graffiti artists were able to interact within the 2005 Denver Pan African Film Festival screenings in performance and presentation. – April 05
 
SOIL Emerging Artist Youth Internship
SOIL Youth Internship goals include developing, highlighting, and encouraging the work of male youth cultural workers by mentoring their creative careers through presentation, and participation in local, national, and international forums including conferences, lectures, and festivals for one full year. The April 2005 – May 2006 Intern, Ietef Hotep Vita, traveled to Washington, DC; Amsterdam, NL and London, England to engage youth arts activists in community organizing around racial profiling, performance, and research in higher-education avenues.

Upcoming SOIL Sessions:
TBA