Sat 7/29 @ 2-6PM
Cleveland poet/educator Ali Black covers themes of Black life in Cleveland neighborhoods in her work. She is poetry editor of the Gordon Square Review and author of a book of poetry titled If It Heals at All.
“If It Heals At All (IIHAA) centers the Black experience in Cleveland, Ohio,” she says. “It is a reflection of the violence, racism, illness, love and joy that is rooted in Cleveland.”
She’ll be presenting a one-night-only special event of art and poetry based on the book, taking place at Breakforth Studio, 2310 Superior #230. It will feature several large-scale text-based pieces foregrounding certain lines from the poems while she reads from the poems.
“The title of my project focuses on healing, challenging viewers to question the healing process,” she explains. “Do Black folks ever truly heal from the ravages of racism? Do we ever stop grieving? What does it mean to heal? Are we ever healed from the illnesses that plague us?”
The project is part of SPACES Satellite Fund. It’s free and open to the public.
spacescle.org/events/2023/07/29/if-it-heals-at-all