Local tattoo and beauty
salon use the arts to
sponsor
youth
programming
This table
holds items
sold in the
Silent
Auction at
the Evening
of Art event
on Sunday,
April 10.
BY ASHLEA JONES
FOR THE CHRONin F ?
Local artists joined together Sunday, April 10, to con
tribute their talents to the Evening of Art event sponsored
by the Basement Tattoo and Beauty Studio at the Delta
Arts Center. This event was a fundraiser to generate
money for youth art camps. This all-black affair featured
over 20 pieces of canvas art from two local tattoo artists
and showcased four spoken-word artists.
"The canvas art featured was painted by the tattoo
artists at the Basement Tattoo and Beauty Studio," said
Marlin Wilkins, owner of the Basement Tattoo and Beauty
Studio. "These artists aren't just skin artists, but canvas
artists as well."
Erran Hamlin and Shawn Merci Wright's art pieces
were displayed at the Delta Art Center amongst artists
such as Donald Sawyer and Joseph King. Hamlin, who
has been a professional tattoo artist for three years,
demonstrated his artistic talents by painting live for the
audience. Neither Hamlin nor Wright identify their pieces
by naming them. "1 paint for fun," Hamlin said. Ironically,
I want the individual to enjoy each piece and put their own
meaning to it." . .
"I let my paint brush speak for me. I like to learn what
people like to see, get a new vibe. That takes my creativity
somewhere else," said Wright.
A live performance of Soul, funk, pop, and R&B
Photos by Ashlea Jones
Tattoo Artist Erran Hamlin paints live at the
Evening of Art event on Sunday, April 10
selections were delivered by Soul Jam, a local North
Carolina band. Lead vocalist Joy Rivers and her fellow
band members played high energy tunes by artists such as
Frankie Beverly and Maze, Michael Jackson, and Bruno
Mars, to name a few. "I really enjoy art, poetry and obvi
ously music," said Rivers. "So, I'm really enjoying
tonight's event." .
Spoken word artist LB, Cognitive Complexion,
Justice, and Smooth entertained the audience with their
live poems that discussed social issues such as societal
conformity, politics, sexual assault, inner racial prejudice,
and even romance.
The Basement Tattoo and Beauty Studio will have
other upcoming events that will support their goals. "We
don't want to just make a financial gain, we want to
deposit something back spiritually," Wilkins said. "We
have some programs we're putting together. Since we are
located on MLK, we have the ability to use the lot on the
side of the studio as well."
The proceeds from Sunday's event will be used to
sponsor youth art camps. "We are going to try to do three
four-week sessions," said Wilkins. "We're also going to
do a writer's camp with the spoken word artists. We're
going to teach our youth how to express themselves on
paper." ?
The Basement Tattoo and Beauty Studio is located at
1321 Hardesty Lane in Winston-Salem.
R&B selections were delivered by Soul Jam, a local
North Carolina band at the Evening of Art event on
Sunday, April 10.
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'Driving While Black'
receives rave reviews during
RiverRun
International
Film Festival
BYTEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
In most cases, racial
profiling is no laughing
matter. That is, until now.
In the new film
"Driving While Black,"
that played last week at the
RiverRun International
Film Festival, co-directors
Paul Sapiano and
Dominique Purdy use com
edy to address the growing .
trend of police officers
pulling over blacks more
often than whites.
Sapiano, w
said the idea
for the film
began when
Purdy, who
grew up in
Los Angeles,
began telling
stories about
how the
police would
pull him over
' on a regular
basis for no
reason.
During an
interview
with The
Chronicle,
Sapiano said at first he did
n't believe him, but after
riding around with the star
of the film, he soon found
out Purdy was telling the
truth.
"I couldn't believe it at
first," said Sapiano. "After
riding around with
Dominique and seeing
what he and others face on
a regular basis, we decided
to start writing the script."
The dark comedy fol
lows Dimitri, an inspiring
artist in his everyday strug
gle to make a living deliv
ering pizzas, but as a young
black man, he is faced with
extra challenges navigating
the busy streets of Los
Angeles. Throughout the
film, Dimitri has to deal
with constant harassment
from a number of police.
Sapiano said he loved
the idea of using comedy to
address a serious topic. He
mentioned he wanted to do
r L
something that had not
been done before.
"There have been a
number of dramas on the
topic, but there has never
been a comedy. We wanted
to do something different,"
Sapiano said.
Although the film is
filled with laughs, it is also
deeply rooted in reality. A
number of studies done in
recent years have proved
that black drivers are more
likely to be pulled over for
minor violations than
whites. Here in the Triad,
blacks make up more than
50 percent of drivers pulled
over.
Following a showing
last Sunday, Purdy men
tioned comedy has a way
of introducing people to a
topic that they otherwise
wouldn't pay attention to or
know anything about.
Purdy also told the packed
house at the Hanesbrand
Theatre that the film
reflects his own personal
encounters with the LAPD.
"This is an everyday
thing for the black commu
nity," said Purdy. "As soon
as the police get behind
you, even if you aren't
doing anything wrong, you
get that feeling that you
may get pulled over."
Purdy mentioned the
film will make more people
aware and teach valuable
lessons as well. He said the
main thing he wants people
to take away from the film
is that this issue is every
one's problem.
"The film can teach
people who get pulled over
how to remain calm," he
continued. "That can make
a big difference, especially
for people of color."
After the final showing
of the film last weekend, a
number of festival goers
said the movie does a great
job of balancing real life
situations with comic
relief. Many also echoed
Purdy's statement that the
film could be used as a
learning tool.
"The film
doesn't hide
or sugarcoat
anything.
That's what I
appreciate
most,"
Veronica
Rodriguez
said.
D r .
Carlton A.G.
Eversley of
Winston
Salem said
he thought
the film was
verv rplaf
able. Eversley, who teaches
at Carter G. Woodson
School, said it is very
important that people of
color have a plan, especial
ly when dealing with
police.
"The film was amaz
ing," said Eversley.
"Unfortunately, for black
people in America, this is a
real issue. The film shows
our youth that sometimes
you may be angry, it's best
to just remain calm to
ensure you make it home
safely."
For now, "Driving
While Black" can only be
viewed in its entirety at
various film festivals
across the nation.
According to Sapiano, they
are working on a major dis
tribution deal. For more
information on the film and
to watch a clip, visit
www.drivingwhileblack
movie.com.
fr
ho is white,
"The film doesn't
hide or sugarcoat
anything. That's what
I appreciate most."
-Veronica Rodriguez
"This is, to come out with it immediately,
the most marvelous show." The London Times
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Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm/Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm
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