Second Annual Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival Announces Featured Artists

(BLOOMINGTON) – The City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs, Safe and Civil City Program, Bloomington Arts Commission, and Economic and Sustainable Development Department is pleased to announce the second annual Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival (BBBAF).


The multi-day celebration seeks to raise and expand art appreciation, create space that affirms persons of color in the community, and enhance Bloomington’s spirit of inclusion.
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Maurisa Li-A-Ping was a featured artist at the 2018 Black y Brown Arts Festival.
A showcase of African, African-American, Hispanic, Latinx and Native American creative arts and artists, this year’s festival has expanded from one to three days this year and will take place at two venues, as follows:

  • Tuesday, May 14, 5:30 p.m. Black y Brown Arts Festival kicks off with a pop-up block party outside of the Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center (122 S. Walnut) featuring the following musical acts: David Davila (Matixando), Flower Mouth, Elena Escudero, Side Hustle, and Huckleberry Funk.
  • Friday, May 17, 7:30 p.m. Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center Galleries host performances by local artists including Tislam Swift, Baba Stafford Berry, Contrille Booker, Shai Warfield-Cross, and Sofia Crespo.
  • Saturday, May 18, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Family Fun event at the Banneker Community Center (930 W. 7th St.) will offer family-friendly offerings including spoken word, dance, and music performances, as well as visual arts, crafts, and art vendors.

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Art vendor Oscar Rangel with his hand-painted wares at the 2018 Black y Brown Arts Festival.
“It’s great to see the Black y Brown Festival growing into one of Bloomington’s signature art events,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “As a regional and national artistic leader, Bloomington is committed to nurturing an art scene that encompasses less frequently represented perspectives.”

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