The Art of Justice: A Multi-Genre Celebration of the Arts within Social Justice Movements
April 30-May 1, 2021
MTSO brought together visual and performing artists for a two-day event centered on the ways social justice is promoted through the arts. This special event was cosponsored by two MTSO initiatives, the Theological Commons and the Anti-Racism Task Force, and showcased music, poetry and visual arts through performances, workshops and scholar-led conversations.
Archived video
Welcome and introduction by MTSO Dean Valerie Bridgeman; MTSO Assistant Professor of History, Ethics, and Black Church and African Diaspora Studies Tejai Beulah; and Paisha Thomas, co-founder of Say It Loud Columbus and racial justice campaign coordinator with Faith in Public Life.
"Songs of Struggle," performed by vocalists Paisha Thomas and Bill Cohen.
"Joy as an Act of Resistance: Writing Poetry about Joy when the World is on Fire," presented by Barbara Fant, celebrated performer, poet and author of Paint, Inside Out, a collection of her poetry.
Morning centering, led by MTSO Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Worship, and Black Church and African Diasporic Studies Kyle Brooks.
"Black Music and Black Power in the Era of Black Lives Matter," presented by Mark Lomax II, composer, recording artist, drummer, activist and educator.
"The Role of the Artist in Change," presented by Scott Woods, writer and event organizer in Columbus and founder of Streetlight Guild, a performing-arts nonprofit.
"Visual Activism on Social Media," presented by David Butler, narrative painter engaging the visual essence of Blackness in culture, and professor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.