Byron & Christine Johnson Lecture/Discussion Series:
A monthly discussion series with experts/speakers to invite dialogue with community members on our shared histories. The lecture discussion series became a college course in the Department of Africana Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2002.
Gullah/Geechee Trips:
Supported by institutions like Redline Gallery and Metropolitan State University of Denver, Professor Jacquelyn Benton facilitated historical tours to the sea islands off the coasts of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. She curated the 2012 exhibit, “The Water Brought Us: Passport to Africa in America,” and the 2007 Gullah Studies Institute.
Founded by Devin Arnold (known artistically as DNA Picasso), CMIA creates community and a network of resources and opportunities for music industry professionals in the state of Colorado-recording artists, singer/songwriters, producers, and vocal performers across genres. Additional support for internships, and placements for sync licensing and artist development. (Photo of CMIA/Venice mixer @ Ft. Greene, 10/2024, Denver)
”She Had So Many Children” Choir Camp (July 2025)
In memory of Christine Torrence Johnson, long-time Denver Public schools music educator, JLI will facilitate a summer camp for vocal performers with a focus on choral/choir performance.
PHOTOGRAPHY/FILM/THEATER/POETRY
I SEE WHO SEES ME:
Classes, immersions and workshops oh my! Facilitated by Najah Qamar, photographer and runway model, with emphasis placed on young people interested in learning how to curate images to articulate their world and their experiences.
Image by: Najah Qamar
THE WATERMELON SEED REPOSITORY:
Curated by Dominique Christina, The Watermelon Seed Repository is a collection of diverse writers, monologists, and actors to promote and produce original works written and directed by local artists to be performed at the Holiday Theater in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art-Denver. Particular attention is paid to historically marginalized writers and actors.
PARENTHETICALLY YOURS: A monthly poetry reading and slam curated by Dominique Christina at the Holiday Theater in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art-Denver. (Suzi Q. Smith in photo below)
“BOMBA!”: A hip hop and R&B dance internship and quarterly dance competition in partnership with R&B Jam Fest and Collaboratory. (Leilani Jayde in photo below for LAWLESS)
FIBER ART:
ANCIENT FUTURES: (Faatma Be One’): Fall 2025 exhibition: Iranian American multidisciplinary artist and program officer Faatma Be One’ will present “Ancient Futures.” (Image shows ceremonial robes & masks. Photo by Roxieee Artist: Faatma Be One’ for LAWLESS.
WITH THESE HANDS I CAN: A quilters guild and quarterly story quilt exhibit with a prize for best of show. Story quilts were essential forms of resistance and expression for enslaved people in the Americas. We honor and expand that tradition here.
PROGRAMS:
EDUCATION:
Byron & Christine Johnson Lecture/Discussion Series:
A monthly discussion series with experts/speakers to invite dialogue with community members on our shared histories. The lecture discussion series became a college course in the Department of Africana Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2002.
Gullah/Geechee Trips:
Supported by institutions like Redline Gallery and Metropolitan State University of Denver, Professor Jacquelyn Benton facilitated historical tours to the sea islands off the coasts of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. She curated the 2012 exhibit, “The Water Brought Us: Passport to Africa in America,” and the 2007 Gullah Studies Institute.
MUSIC:
Colorado Music Industry Alliance (CMIA):
Founded by Devin Arnold (known artistically as DNA Picasso), CMIA creates community and a network of resources and opportunities for music industry professionals in the state of Colorado-recording artists, singer/songwriters, producers, and vocal performers across genres. Additional support for internships, and placements for sync licensing and artist development. (Photo of CMIA/Venice mixer @ Ft. Greene, 10/2024, Denver)
”She Had So Many Children” Choir Camp (July 2025)
In memory of Christine Torrence Johnson, long-time Denver Public schools music educator, JLI will facilitate a summer camp for vocal performers with a focus on choral/choir performance.
PHOTOGRAPHY/FILM/THEATER/POETRY
I SEE WHO SEES ME:
Classes, immersions and workshops oh my! Facilitated by Najah Qamar, photographer and runway model, with emphasis placed on young people interested in learning how to curate images to articulate their world and their experiences.
THE WATERMELON SEED REPOSITORY:
Curated by Dominique Christina, The Watermelon Seed Repository is a collection of diverse writers, monologists, and actors to promote and produce original works written and directed by local artists to be performed at the Holiday Theater in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art-Denver. Particular attention is paid to historically marginalized writers and actors.
PARENTHETICALLY YOURS: A monthly poetry reading and slam curated by Dominique Christina at the Holiday Theater in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art-Denver. (Suzi Q. Smith in photo below)
“BOMBA!”: A hip hop and R&B dance internship and quarterly dance competition in partnership with R&B Jam Fest and Collaboratory. (Leilani Jayde in photo below for LAWLESS)
FIBER ART:
ANCIENT FUTURES: (Faatma Be One’): Fall 2025 exhibition: Iranian American multidisciplinary artist and program officer Faatma Be One’ will present “Ancient Futures.” (Image shows ceremonial robes & masks. Photo by Roxieee Artist: Faatma Be One’ for LAWLESS.
WITH THESE HANDS I CAN: A quilters guild and quarterly story quilt exhibit with a prize for best of show. Story quilts were essential forms of resistance and expression for enslaved people in the Americas. We honor and expand that tradition here.
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