"Raising the BAAR" in Art, Culture, and Society - Diversity Edit and Artpreneurs(c‪)‬ BAAR ART Journey

During this voice bite, Ashara discusses the brilliance of those from the African Diaspora, and reminds the audience that Black culture is everywhere.  Being Black is not something one should be ashamed of.. Be proud,  embrace your presence, your knowledge, your beauty.  Don't enable others to make you feel small due to their lack of exposure, knowledge, and/or connectivity to various dimensions of society and community.  Drop the mic. Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite Ashara Ekundayo talks about the lack of Black artist equity and how White supremacy and racism has impacted the lack there of as it relates to Black art, artists and their opportunity to enjoy generational wealth. She also discusses how artists are in one of the best positions to make decisions about their own works and how institutions present, align and engage with networks that matter to them. Black artists are now demanding that institutions authentically make space for collectors of color and/or collectors from their communities as well as put mechanisms in place for collectors to see, acquire and support works from artists of color and their craft. 

Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite, Paul Henderson discusses the power of social media and how following, sharing, and exposing thoughts of others regarding art, the art market, and art spaces enlightens your team, community and helps to spark conversations about art. During these digital times, new ways of work and engaging can make the difference between a gallery closure and/or global relevance as an institution.  Paul also discusses the decreased need for folks to utilize institutional validation as it relates to what is valid/quality art. 
We urge you to listen to this entire episode during morning coffee, your lunch break and/or dinner preparation.  

of art and society.
Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this voice bite it is stated what the entire podcast is about. Jewell Sparks, Paul Henderson, and Ashara Ekundayo discuss the state of art and inclusion across the globe. They discuss Black artists, youth, the White gaze, it's limitations and more. By discussing trends in the art industry, they address various issues and identify solutions which gallerists, curators, and cultural strategists can take in order to impact the future of art and society.
Cover Art utilized for the full episode: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

During this episode Jewell Sparks, Paul Henderson, and Ashara Ekundayo discuss the state of art and inclusion across the globe. They discuss Black artists, youth, the White gaze, it's limitations and more. By discussing trends in the art industry, they address various issues and identify solutions which gallerists, curators, and cultural strategists can take in order to impact the future of art and society. This episode is quite relevant as the BAAR Art Journey and Residency program announces participants throughout the upcoming week who will live and work in Berlin, Germany from October 2 - November 12, 2022. The goal of the program is to enable Black artist equity and generational wealth. This particular episode explores Black culture, the definition of mainstream art, how the art world can become more inclusive, the presentation of Black art, and how it can be packaged, purchased, and collected. They discuss the Influence and power of Black culture and its impacts across the globe. 

Cover Art: Christopher Burch, Place is the Space, 2022, Oil enamel paint, 20ft x 40ft

Jewell Sparks:   Jewell studied art foundation sculpture and painting simultaneously during her pursuit of a BS degree in molecular biology at Haverford, College. She is currently obtaining her Christie’s Art Business Masterclass Certificate, and is the founder and visionary behind the BAAR Art Journey and Residency program. As a venture capitalist, global innovation strategist, media professional, and diversity, equity and inclusion expert, she has always had a passion for the arts and sciences.  Jewell has served on boards for public/private arts, media and community redevelopment initiatives focused on maintaining culture and uplifting communities throughout her entire career. As one of the original Board members of the Museum of the African Diaspora's (MoAD) Vanguard Leadership Council, she was responsible for engaging mainstream networks to artworks of the African Diaspora. While living in SF, sh served as the membership and events chair for the young professional boards of the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Symphony. Jewell was the acting VP of Strategic Development for The Jazz Heritage Center (JHC), which was a museum, cultural center, and jazz art gallery (Lush Life Gallery).

Paul Henderson: Paul is the innovative leader of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA). Paul contributes weekly as a legal expert and political analyst on television, appearing in more than 500 televised programs on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, and more. As a collector Paul is focused on art that is intentional about reflecting communities of color with an advocacy lens of social justice.  His collection includes works from both emerging artists and notable blue chip luminaries. Henderson has contributed at numerous events addressing both collectors and important art institutions (MoAD 2021, Artbasel 2021, FOG Design = Art2022, Frieze 2022, Christie's 2022).

Ashara Ekundayo: Ashara is an independent curator, artist, cultural theologian, creative industries entrepreneur and organizer working internationally across cultural, spiritual, civic, and social innovation spaces. Her intersectional worldview offers both an Afrofuturist and radical Black feminist framework to the public sector by centering the lives, traditions, and expertise of Black womxn of the African Diaspora. She sits on the Advisory Boards of the Global Fund for Women “Artist Changemaker Program,” San Francisco MoMA SECA Committee, and the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music.  In 2019 she founded and currently stewards Artist As First Responder, an organization and 6-point philanthropic, interactive arts platform that reifies artists whose practices heal communities and save lives. 

This episode kicks off Season 2 of the “Raising the BAAR in Art, Culture, and Society podcast series. During this season we talk to #womeninart from across the globe. During this episode, the founder of BAAR Art Journey and Residency (Jewell Sparks) sits down with co-host Carolina Carreteiro and artist Cristina Canale to discuss her art journey. Cristina discusses her transition from South America to Germany, and the impact of these cultures on her mindset, creativity, and personal journey. They discuss the value of stepping outside of one's home country in order to reflect, create, and engage unapologetically. 

Cristina Canale was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1961. She lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Cristina Canale’s work is often based off prosaic everyday scenes, which she extracts from advertising photography. Her paintings result in elaborate compositions that intertwine the figurative and the abstract, often blurring one with the other.



Cover Art: Cristina Canale, Green nails, 2022,100x80cm, oil on linen

Music: Song: You Don't Know Me (Nah Nah)

Artist/Performer: STORRY

Written and produced by STORRY & Yotam Baum