The Year 2020 Reflected in Art at the Black Creativity Art Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Held at the Museum of Science and Industry, The Black Creativity Art and Activism exhibition showcases some incredible and powerful images in response to the protests that occurred during the Summer of 2020.

Since 1970, the Museum of Science and Industry has displayed the works of Black professional and student artists from around the country.  The Black Creativity Juried Art exhibition is the nation’s longest-running exhibit of art created by Black Americans in the country.  This year’s exhibit extends into a three-month program and welcomes guests to explore the scientific and creative innovations of African Americans. The Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibit features art in various mediums:  paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, digital media, and photography from prominent black artists and budding youth artists ages 14 through 17.

Also located inside the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition are displays honoring this year’s Black Creativity innovators.  These are leaders in science, technology, engineering, art, and medicine.  This year’s honorees include:

• Tonika Lewis-Johnson, Creator of the Folded Map Project. This photojournalist explored the impact of urban segregation through multimedia. 
• Poet and Spoken word artist, J Ivy has promoted positivity while giving a platform to the artform. He is currently a Grammy and NAACP Award winner. He is also the current president of the Chicago Recording Academy.
• TnS Studio founder, Taylor Studio is an architect that serves the south side through architectural and graphic design. Her non-profit, “Be the Change” gives youth the chance to learn about architecture in summer camps and mentorship programs.
• Ian Brock, the Co-founder of Dream Hustle Code. The 16-year-old entrepreneur is a computer science activist.  He founded Dream Hustle Code when he was 13 and organizes after-school coding programs on the city’s south and west sides.

The Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition runs through June at the Museum of Science and Industry. For more information on this exhibit, please visit the museum’s website.

Danielle Sanders is a writer and journalist living in Chicago. Find her on social media @DanieSandersOfficial.