The annual “FLAVA FRESH !,” a juried exhibition of 50 contemporary artists of color was conceived and set in motion more than 30 years ago by D. Del Reverda-Jennings.
Del Reverda-Jennings, now 70, created the series as a way to challenge the less-than-welcoming environment that surrounded the arts field at that time in Indiana.
“Into the mid-2000s, there were very few, if any, Black or BIPOC artists even aware of opportunities commonly made available to their white counterparts,” said Del Reverda-Jenings, who is also an artist. “But with the wealth of technology that we now have, we’ve just about overcome this type of intentional negligence.”
Del Reverda-Jenings made space for underrepresented artists and creatives to be acknowledged, to survive and to strive.
She said she sees her role as “artist/curator/cultural producer and worker” as focused on assisting and bringing about even greater change, transparency and a level playing field.
The current “FLAVA FRESH !” exhibition is on display at the College Avenue library branch through Jan. 28. Visitors can vote for their favorite artwork through Oct. 21, before the artist award ceremony.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
How did “FLAVA FRESH !” get started?
My initiative was to cultivate aspiring novice, newly discovered, emerging and early to mid-career artists who practice in a wide variety of disciplines, genres, styles and levels of expertise, to help prepare them to show their work in a public sphere.
When was the first “FLAVA FRESH !” exhibition?
“FLAVA FRESH !” started way back in early 2000. The exhibition was originally called “Celebration of Spirit” and was renamed “FLAVA FRESH !” due to an Indianapolis entity using our original title.
What’s your favorite part about working on “FLAVA FRESH !”?
The artists, their creativity, their work and seeing the happiness and positivity in their faces when viewing their artworks installed in the various venues (especially beginners or emerging artists that have rarely shown their work publicly). Or the zing in their reactions to someone praising, or better yet, purchasing their pieces.
Do you show your own work in the “FLAVA FRESH !” exhibitions?
Yes, I definitely display my work during each of the series season exhibitions. I constantly produce work, and it is a tangible option to get my work out into the public purview in the same manner as I expose and promote the work of the participating artists. My pieces are not juried in any of the showcases, only the work of the participating artists.
How do you plan “FLAVA FRESH !” shows?
Clear goals, a set criteria and requirements, dedication, a structured agenda and implementation will facilitate a credible and well-received presentation. Our exhibition series is planned out and confirmed at least two years in advance. We previously held six exhibitions each year but the four annual shows that we present now is more feasible at this time.
It’s a lot of hard manual labor, which takes a high degree of commitment and physicality, which many people don’t realize. It’s like an illusion — Ta-da! Art exhibition! But it doesn’t just entail walking in and hanging a piece of artwork on a nail.
What friendships have come from organizing big community art shows?
There have been a number of long-held relationships both personal and with major arts entities created during the nearly 30 years that “FLAVA FRESH !” has existed.
Personally and commercially, I would say that Cynthia Young, the executive director of the SullivanMunce Cultural Center, is one of the most genuine and gracious people that I have ever met.
Mixed media artist Anthony Radford is my ride-or-die road warrior. We’ve been put through a whole hell of a lot, but yet we persist and continue to rise.
The College Avenue library branch was a factor in the exhibition series decades before “FLAVA FRESH !” evolved to become the platform that it has become. The library has been our base site since it was built and has hosted the final exhibition presentation, artist reception and awards ceremony of the annual series each year.
I have become close to many of the artist participants. I talk with many of them often. Some I have mentored or advised. The annual show itself is open and inviting, much like a large diverse family who receive inspiration, fellowship, information, motivation, support, growth and professional development.
How about life lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned a lot about people, their ways, perceptions, beliefs and judgement during these last three decades in the arts industry. I’ve found that once we get closer to someone or an organization, you often realize that there is much more going on, sometimes things not-so-good.
I’ve also learned from experience and by direct observation that some individuals are for you and some aren’t, and I’ve witnessed — sad to say — many of the “some aren’ts.”
Obviously in this day and age, one would think that this world has grown a bit, hopefully progressed, especially in the arts, and it may appear to be on the surface. But there are still many of the holdouts from the last 30 years that I’ve engaged with or dealt with controlling the glass ceiling and access to the small teeny tiny cracks in it.
A most rewarding factor is the manifestation of nurturing creative fellowship and appreciation for visual art and those that produce it. Our events uphold, recognize and honor the artists and offer the public artistry and creative individuals which may otherwise have gone unnoticed.
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Chi Sherman is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at chizomasherman@gmail.com.
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