Sugar Hill Arts Revival Project SHARP is a LA-based collaborative initiative that allows us to honor the legacy of our creative ancestors while sparking a modern day renaissance. AMAZING GRACE CONSERVATORY GAILEN AND CATHY REEVERS CENTER USC SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS ABOUT THE PROJECT ARTS. HISTORY. CULTURE. SHARP is a multi-faceted initiative that sheds light on the rich arts history of well-known African American entertainers who resided in Los Angeles’ “Sugar Hill District” during the 1940-50’s. SHARP implores the community to engage with art, culture, and history through multiple mediums and platforms. From a virtual museum to theatrical reenactments to social media challenges, the project provides exciting avenues for cross-generational participation, in order to preserve history and expand the opportunities of future generations. Each of the project components serve as educational vessels, allowing us to recognize the persistent effort of an illustrious group of African American trailblazers. Courageous leaders who stood up against injustice and created paths for others to do the same. SHARP MISSION The SHARP project, funded through the CA Arts Council, allows us to revitalize and re-imagine the Sugar Hill Arts District not only as a historic preservation site and landmark destination of African- American history, arts, activism, civic engagement, leadership, and strategic vision — but also as a site of community building and urban renewal. The goal of the S.H.A.R.P project is to engage the community in recognizing the significance of the arts, and provide avenues for residents to participate in social and artistic initiatives, to preserve history and expand the opportunities for future generations. INITIATIVES CURRENT Living Museum SHARP Playlist Reenactments #SummertimeChallenge UPCOMING Spotlight Series: Series of engaging educational videos focused on community participation "See Yourself": Series of workshops in theater, dance, music, and visual artistic expression "Know Your Rights": Interactive programs focused on civic engagement, activism, & entrepreneurship Living Museum AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE VISIT THE MUSUEM HERE Students from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and the USC Gayle Garner Roski School of Art and Design served as artistic, research, and design interns in the development of the museum, under the supervision of Anita Dashiell- Sparks. The virtual museum leads participants through a guided interactive tour of seven icon- specific rooms (Hattie McDaniel; Loren Miller; Ethel Waters; Louise Beavers; Ray Charles; Butterfly McQueen; Little Richard). As viewers explore each room they are prompted to click the “wall art” that includes short infographic blurbs, portraits, video clips, and audio recordings. SHARP PLAYLIST The museum also has a LISTEN HERE correlating music playlist of songs from artists who lived in, or frequented, Sugar Hill. FEATURING MUSIC BY CAB CALLOWY LENA HORNE RAY CHARLES BILLIE HOLIDAY LITTLE RICHARD & MORE Reenactments Performers from the Amazing Grace Conservatory are featured in the virtual museum, under the artistic direction of co-founder, Wendy Raquel Robinson, as they dramatize the lives of these historic figures to showcase how artists and activists from the past are inspiring and impacting the current and next generations of artist scholars and leaders. WATCH THE SIZZLE HERE #SUMMERTIMECHALLENGE The #SummertimeChallenge exists to provide a source of comfort and connection during a time of physical isolation by tapping into the universality of music…it serves as “a little chicken soup for the soul”. With just five easy-to-follow steps, the challenge has superseded expectations by garnering participation from people of all ages, backgrounds, and a diverse range of talents. WATCH VIDEOS HERE JACQUELYN HONORE-ELAM Project Director AGC Executive VP GCRC Chair The ANITA DASHIELL-SPARKS Executive Co-Project Director Co-Head of Undergrad Acting USC School of Dramatic Arts Team WENDY RAQUEL ROBINSON SHARP LEADERS AGC Executive Director/CEO AGC Artistic Director Advisory Committee Member BILLIE GREEN Deputy to City Council President Herb Wesson SHARP COMMITTEE MEMBERS REV. WENDELL MILLER YVONNE ANDERSON HELENA WILLIAMS STEPHANIE FARMER GCRC Board Member GCRC Executive Director GCRC Treasurer GCRC Board Member Pastor Pastor Assistant Lincoln Memorial Church Lincoln Memorial Church CELESTE BUTLER Social Media Director SHARP Founder of Creation Against Barriers ALEXANDRIA ELAM Marketing Social Media Coordinator Too Flare Production Team PRESTON BUTLER III Film Producer & Editor JALYN HESTER Social Media Intern AGC Student BRIA GREEN Social Media Intern AGC Student USC Interns/Research Assistants LINDSEY ESCH CHELSEA SIK DEJA THOMPSON TAYLOR RIVERS Research Assistant Research Assistant Research Assistant Research Assistant USC Student USC Student USC Student USC Student Amazing Grace Conservatory Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC) was born out of the passion for the arts and the love for children by co-founders, the late Mr. Tracy Lamar Coley and Executive Director Wendy Raquel Robinson. AGC is an NAACP award-winning program with an alumni base of nearly 7,000 youth, many of whom have received recognition in their fields of expertise from the Entertainment to Law, Education and Civic leadership, some of whom have received the highest awards in the entertainment industry from the Academy, Grammy, Ovation Award winners. But more importantly, these alumni are citizens of the world, who give back to AGC and their community. The mission of AGC is to train and develop emerging artists and at-risk youth in performing and digital arts by offering a well rounded, culturally enriching educational programs in an environment that is nurturing for their personal, artistic and professional growth. Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment (GCRC) promotes and strengthen families and communities by offering education, health, recreation and cultural enrichment programs. GCRC envisions a community that provides a nurturing environment where family needs are met and family unity, self-sufficiency, educational attainment and community pride are encouraged. USC School of Dramatic Arts Located in a city synonymous with artistic innovation and excellence, the top-ranked University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts is a leader in dramatic arts education. The School uniquely blends artistic training in a conservatory environment with outstanding faculty and the full academic experience found only within a major research university, and bridges the classical foundations of the dramatic arts with all of its contemporary and future expressions. Through programs of the highest caliber, as well as initiatives that provide access to professional experience, students are prepared for leadership in every facet of dramatic arts. Join us! WEBSITES: https://amazinggraceconservatory.org/sharp/ https://gcrcla.org/about-sharp/ INSTAGRAM: @sugarhillartsrevivalproject FACEBOOK: @SugarHillArtsRevivalProject YOUTUBE: @SugarHillArtsRevivalProject.