UrbanKore - July 2015

URBANKORE

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JULY 2015

ANDRES CHAPARRO

GUSTAVO ADOLFO AYBAR

ELYZA J.

KC BLACK ARTISTS NETWORK

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URBANKORE

JULY 2015 A Note From the Editor

Welcome to this third issue of UrbanKore magazine.

My purpose in this journal is to help promote the urban art scene in

Kansas City.

There are no advertisements, just the art.

Enjoy and consider supporting the artists in this journal.

- Harold Smith

- 7/15/2015

All material is property of the artist.

All rights are reserved by the artist.

Reproduction or duplication by any means is prohibited.

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Gustavo

Adolfo

Aybar

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Five Questions for Ramona E. Davis

Founder of the KC Black Artists Network

www.kcblackartistsnetwork.com

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1. Ramona, please tell us what is the "KC Black Artists Network"?

The KC Black Artists Network is an online artist directory, events calendar,

and art enthusiasts connector for the black arts community in Kansas City.

2. What are the goals of the network? The goal is to be a catalyst for culti-

vating audiences and building stronger relationships with local black artists

and art enthusiasts. The website and social media outlets will be central re-

source tools that make it easy to find black artists in various disciplines, sup-

port events featuring black artists and connect to other like minded people in-

terested in the black arts community.

3. What inspired you to create it? The inspiration stems from a general love

of the arts with a particular sensitivity to the black arts. I created this site be-

cause, for a long time, I've wished there was a central resource designed to

easily find black artists and keep up with what's happening in the KC black

arts community. I believe that KC has some of the best talent out here and

with KC now on the national arts radar, why not make it easy to tap into the

black arts community as well.

4. What events are coming up from the network? Initially, I'm taking it

slow to observe how people will respond to the concept through site activity

and feedback. But the plan is to keep everyone engaged by offering artist stu-

dio visits, artist panel talks and other interesting activities. The first newslet-

ter is slated for July 2015. I plan to have more details secured by then.

5. What can we expect to see in the future from the network?

Partnerships. In order to successfully survive in the arts, one can't function in

isolation. I've began to reach out to established entities to investigate possible

collaborations that are meaning for both artists and art enthusiasts.

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Andres

Chaparro

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UrbanKore is a journal dedicated to Kansas City’s Black arts scene.

Published by Harold Smith Jr.

haroldsmithart@gmail.com

Next Issue: September 2015

Submissions accepted from August 15, 2015 to September 5, 2015