Black Is King: Mila Lynn Highlights Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Breonna Taylor and More in New Exhibit
Internationally acclaimed visual artist, and the first artist in REACH Studio Art Center’s new Arts Residency Program, Lansing’s own Mila Lynn is presenting her newest artistic endeavor entitled the ‘Black is King’ Project throughout the month of February. The collection of 8 impactful figures of the Black community will be on display at REACH Studio Art Center, as well as in multiple Black owned businesses in Michigan’s major cities including Lansing, Grand Rapids, & Detroit. For more information on the project visit www.mindofmila.com.
The project is a continuation of an idea Mila had to increase Black Representation as Royalty shortly after her godson was born. “I want him to grow up in a world where he feels he belongs, and can see himself playing a meaningful role,” Lynn said. Mila wants to normalize society seeing her godson, and other Black members of the community as something other than villains & victims. The project is set to educate and uplift the Black community, by celebrating various figures including Michelle & Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Kobe Bryant, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. Throughout the month, Mila will paint new Black Kings and Queens, and there will be a different theme for each such as the King & Queen of Diamonds, of Hearts, of Clubs, and of Spades. The pieces that aren’t featured in her studio, will be featured in an affluent Black Business in Lansing, Detroit, or Grand Rapids, and the originals will eventually go on sale. There will also be prints made of each piece that will be available for purchase.
In addition to presenting the ‘Black is King’ Project, Mila Lynn has been named the first ‘Artist in Residence’ in REACH’s newly launched Arts Residency Program. As a child, Mila was one of the first students to enroll at REACH in Lansing, where she was introduced to, and developed her love of art through youth classes. It means a lot to Mila that it has come full circle. The moment was not lost on Alice Brinkman, Executive Director of REACH either. “I’m excited to have Mila Lynn call Reach Studio Art Center “home” for her artistic practice.” To promote the ‘Black is King’ project, Mila has planned multiple evening shows throughout the month of February in her studio at REACH which will feature Michigan based musician of Black Descent. The shows will be Thursdays at 7pm via Facebook and IG LIVE. These will be used to bring awareness to the Book Drive that Mila will be co-hosting February 28th. More details will be released later this month.
