Exhibitions 2021: UMass Dartmouth Celebrates Black History Month in its CVPA Star Series

Thursday, February 26th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, on Thursday, February 25, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts presents New Bedford-based 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment and master percussionist Sidy Maiga, as part of its ongoing CVPA Star Series.

3rd EyE will present four local emerging artists LaCar, Riss, Missile and ChanWThePlan who will perform short sets of original music featuring R&B, hip hop, and punk rock with some dance mixed in. These performers are part of a cohort that 3rd EyE leadership mentors. Peter Lonelle Walker will share the stage as the MC for this segment.

“We’ve watched these young people work really hard to attain their dreams and goals, not only in the business of music but also on a personal level. It is rewarding to see their evolution, their growth, and their willingness to contribute to the community. They see their worth as artists when they are invited to be a part of programs like the CVPA Star Series and to share the stage with other professionals,” stated Keri Cox, active mentor and Board President of 3rd EyE.

A djembefola is the musician who gives the djembe its voice. In the hands of a master, a drum comes alive. It sings, laughs, whispers, and electrifies its audience – and Sidy Maiga knows exactly how to bring it to life. For more than 25 years, Sidy has shared the joys of drumming with students and audiences around the world. Sidy ingeniously takes a very unique approach by infusing traditional African styles with modern music, Latin tunes, Brazilian styles, and the Blues. Sidy often plays alongside house music DJ’s for events throughout New England and around the world. Learn more about Sidy at: sidymaiga.com

The CVPA Star Series is a 13-week sequence of programs designed to highlight the work of CVPA students, past and present, engage artists in the community, and contribute to New Bedford’s cultural richness. The Series is curated in collaboration with Don Burton Media and Beatriz & Company with support from UMass Dartmouth and the City of New Bedford’s #NBfestive Winter Places project. In-kind support provided by Chase Canopy and Lightworks Productions Inc.

The Series takes place every Thursday through April, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on stage inside the Swain Studio at the CVPA Star Store Campus on the corner of Purchase and Union Streets in Downtown New Bedford. Audiences are invited to watch the programs safely from outside the large street-level windows or tune in from home via live stream on www.facebook.com/umassdcvpa.

Art Jones uses original and found media to create works with photography, moving images, sculpture, and site-specific installations. His films, videos, and live media performances often take on the interrelationships between popular culture, collective memory, and power. He will explore New Bedford ahead of the scheduled performance and collect site-specific visuals and sounds to be included in his new piece and to collaborate on a shared vision with 3rd EyE.

Jones said, “I'm overjoyed at the opportunity to work with 3rd EyE on the upcoming live audiovisual mix as part of UMass Dartmouth CVPA Star Series. It's been a while since I've been able to collaborate on a performance in-person, and I'm looking forward to us creating a piece that is unique to New Bedford.”

Jones' films and media art projects have been exhibited in the U.S. and internationally at institutions such as Chinatown Soup in New York City, Times Art Center Berlin, Roulette Intermedium, Ars Electronica, MoMA, Tate Gallery, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and LA Freewaves, among others. His pop-up exhibition, “blue/lives,” can be seen through the Swain Studio windows during the event and later at Star Store’s Crapo Gallery.

Update: Due to unexpected adverse effects from his second round of the COVID vaccine, Art Jones will not be able to travel for the CVPA Star Series. His performance is postponed to a later date. All other programming will continue as scheduled. 

About 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment

3rd EyE Youth Empowerment engages, unites, and activates the community through hip hop culture and mentorship to become transformative leaders. Founded in 1998, 3rd EyE has earned a reputation for being an authentic, grassroots youth development organization that is able to connect with underserved kids where they are at and maintain long-term, meaningful relationships with those they have served. They are also the only community-based organization in the New Bedford area that uses the elements of hip hop to engage and empower youth to become role models for positive community change. 3rd EyE provides a rolling opportunity for older youth and young adults (15-24) to develop real world skills via planning and production of community events and programs. Find more info at www.3rdeyeunlimited.org.