STATE COLLEGE — Michael Black, an area photographer and art advocate, decided to use his expansive Back Sun photography studio to bring together the Centre Region arts community in an effort to share ideas and learn new ways of seeing and hearing.
Black’s idea was to create a series of events that would feature local, national and international artists in lively discussions and performances.
“The idea behind this series is to help elevate art and artists in a non-traditional way,” said Black.
“This year, we held 14 events that featured 12 artists. We had more than 500 submissions from throughout Centre County. We reached more than a thousand people. We also visited county schools and were pleasantly surprised by our success.”
Known as BADASS — an acronym using the letters in “Artists Doing Art” series and Black Sun — the program ended its second year with a musical performance by Eric Ian Farmer and a compelling talk delivered by Susan Russell, former Penn State laureate.
Farmer’s performance offered a soulful style that was reminiscent of Richie Havens. Farmer, who recently earned his doctorate in music education, spoke eloquently about his need to blend his dual passions of music and education.
Russell, a New York actor, playwright and author, is an engaging speaker with a penchant for making powerful eye contact. Her talk included her theory that art is communication and communication is art.
“The greatest art of all is communication,” she said. In all she does, Russell is sure to extol the value of communication and — quite simply — eye contact.
Russell also has created the Center for Engaged Learning. Her intention is to bring discipline to life through art.
“You are driving the car of your life,” she said. “It is not easy being human, but it is simple. We have built what we have today. Maybe it is time to start thinking differently.”
