My love letter to the West End was inspired by James Baldwin's love letter to Lorraine Hansberry entitled Sweet Lorraine. The works selected are a reflection of our collective joy, struggle, and legacy. Through photography, paint, collage, and sculpture, these works amplify Black brilliance. The fictive kinships in these works are parallel to the theme of Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. This collection is a testimonial. It is a radically imagined future where Black folks in the West End can thrive without tribulations; sing without suffering; exist without exploitation. Dedicated to Shauntee “Cricket”, Gladys “Peaches”, and Willie B. (Momma)--three of the most prolific, yet unknown women in the West End.

My SWEET FIRE collection was made possible by Clare Hirn, Louisville Visual Art, and the Play Cousins Collective through the CURATE.PURCHASE.INSPIRE fellowship.

​The work was installed by Julie Leider with accent walls painted by Charisma Lusco of Queen Painters.

Sweet Fire Artists

REGAL
Tomisha Lovely-Allen, 2021 (28"x72" oil on canvas)
@lovelyallenart

STEPHANIE!
Sandra Charles, 2022 (48"x60" oil painting)
@sandraspaintings

ME!
Iniejah, 2022 (11"x14" mixed media)
@JuneBugWent

WEST END BEGINNINGS
Lance G. Newman, 2022 (Poetry)
@Mr.SpreadLove

UNTITLED
Jonathan Cherry, 2020 (Dye sublimation on aluminum series)
@johpcherry

OUR WEST END
LaNia Roberts, 2022 (Mixed media series)
@laniarobert

CAN I GROW?
Ashlee Phllips, 2022 (Framed portrait series)
@thriftingwithashlee

WATOTO THRONE
Mizizi Youth Artist Collective: Opare, Sankara, Iniejah, Kassius, Jenna, Paige, Jru, Jaxon, Paxon, Koi, Jaidyn, Kishaya, Stephon, Sage, Ory, Makel, Lyric, Grant, Ga’Zyiah, Baby Chad
Upcycled throne sculpture
@PlayCousins_Collective

BLUE SKIES
Jenna, 2022 (11"x14" acrylic)

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