2021 GRANTEES
Celeta Hickman
A Black Bead Story: The Digital Spectacles is the brainchild of local artist and educator, Celeta Hickman. A Black Bead Story is a series of short films featuring the creation of period design beadwork. Models, dancers, and performers create an intimate digital experience through their engagement with the beads as well as each other.
Celeta poses the question, “If African Americans aren’t expressing health and vitality in this region due to inequality how can we use performative arts in self-determined ways to bring joy to our communities to imagine what was and what can be?”
These films are a space to consider the answers to such questions while honoring how history, traditions, and practices inform the future and dreams of it.
Celeta is the Artistic Director and works alongside a creative team.
Curtis Reaves, a documentary filmmaker and fine art photographer, is the current film team lead. He is the co-founder of C-clear Empowerment, a nonprofit that provides youth and adult employment and training programs centered around art, technology, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Andre Solomon is the a licensed and experienced drone filmmaker and also the Executive Director of The Citizens Science Lab.
Eric Smith is the videographer and works closely with Curtis and Andre to capture multiple shots and nuanced perspectives for A Black Bead Story. He is the Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of Crew Production LLC. Crew Production LLC has partnered with The International Association of Blacks in Dance and Hill Dance Academy Theatre.
Fortunately, in 2021, in addition to her work on A Black Bead Story, Celeta was also able to partner with another 2021 AE&E Fund grantee and create accompanying educational materials for When We Gather.
Celeta created two sets of educational materials - one for 6th-10th grade students and the second for educators and community leaders. The educational materials include ongoing reflection opportunities and strategies and art-making activities to engage and encourage students to embrace their creative abilities.
As a local artist and educator, Celeta has partnered with local schools and arts organizations to expand students' educational and artistic experience through her educational guides and facilitated activities. The collaboration between Celeta and When We Gather has continued, furthered, and deepened the engagement with the film while also providing more opportunities to gather and be.