As vaccinations start to roll out and the world begins to reopen, people are getting back to what they love. For artists and musicians, the pandemic took a huge chunk of business out of the industry.
Kierah Thompson, owner of The Vybe Lounge partnered with Colored Colors to help bring revenue back into the community and give artists the exposure they haven’t received since the pandemic started.
Thompson is a student at the New School studying arts management and entrepreneurship. The art festival serves as her capstone project but is also her way of lifting up local artists in the community.
“I basically came up with this festival because I feel like artists of color don’t really have that much access to create and showcase their work in Long Island,” said Thompson. “So this was the perfect way to create that access for them… that’s the main focus.”
Colored Colors is located in Suffolk County and prides itself on creating connections between local artists and the community. Amber Calderon, Talent and Public Relations Manager said that Colored Color’s mission is forming that bond between businesses and artists.
“That’s what really drives us is the fact that we’re able to create a platform,” said Calderon. “We’re able to create these events that have creatives come together as a community as well as those local businesses who have those spaces for that artwork to be displayed or for that talent to be displayed.”
Joshua Core, also known by his stage name Jay Javon, described himself as an authentic artist. Javon is going to be one of many artists who will display their talent at the festival. Throughout the pandemic, Javon said he missed out on publicity that would’ve helped progress his career.
“The pandemic pretty much destroyed everything I had going,” said Javon. “There were no shows, studios weren’t really open, so everything was like closed down and it was like the world was pause, so the pandemic really put a damper on everything I had going.”
Calderon said that Spotlight at The Paramount is a well-known place for artists to network and show their work to the community which is why they partnered with Spotlight.
“As part of The Paramount we pride ourselves as curators and cultivators of every type of art – both visual and performance-based.” said Krystin Banko, Spotlight at The Paramounts Curator. “And we are very happy to help Colored Colors in their mission to bring this event to life.”
Both organizations made it possible for artwork and information on talent to be displayed even after the festival takes place.
“The fine art portion of this festival will remain on display as an exhibition in the Spotlight gallery through May 23.” said Banko. “And we are very much looking forward to seeing the amazing talent that they bring to Huntington.”
The Colored Colors Hybrid Arts Festival – Live At The Spot sponsored by The Vybe Lounge will take place on April 25 at the Spotlight NY Huntington from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
