Art & Influence: The Power of Mentorship in Rust Belt Cities
Friday, January 17th
6 – 9 pm
Admission Free | Food & Drink Provided
Join us on Friday, January 17th from 6 – 9 pm for an engaging panel discussion on the transformative role of mentorship in the arts, featuring connections to influential figures and current exhibiting artists Edna Andrade and Joseph Plavcan. Led by Dr. Paula Burleigh, art historian and curator specializing in postwar to contemporary art, Assistant Professor of Art History, Co-Director, and and affiliated faculty with the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program at Allegheny College, this conversation will explore how mentorship nurtures creativity, collaboration, and resilience, particularly in the context of Rust Belt cities. Free admission. Food & drink provided.
Meet the Speakers
Kyra Taylor
Kyra Taylor is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Erie’s Black Wall Street, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Erie’s Black community through education, social networks, and the promotion of Black entrepreneurship. A passionate advocate, Kyra has spearheaded initiatives addressing inequities, including clothing drives and youth symposiums. A proud Edinboro University graduate, Kyra blends her roles as a Behavior Counselor, Life Coach, and community leader to inspire transformative change and foster a continued culture of Black excellence.
Lourdes Jasso
Lourdes Jasso is an artist, educator, and advocate who serves as the Associate Program Director at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House. Born in Mexico and raised in Chicago, Lourdes brings her lived experience to her work, using art as a tool for empowerment and transformation. She has been recognized as Erie Arts & Culture’s Carla Hughes Art Educator of the Year and is deeply committed to fostering creativity, social justice, and cultural identity through her teaching and artistic practice.
Dr. Tyler Titus
Dr. Tyler Titus is a social worker, activist, and the founding chair of Compton’s Table, a nonprofit that provides safe spaces and resources for the LGBTQ+ community in Northwestern Pennsylvania. With over 16 years of advocacy experience, Dr. Titus has served as Erie City School Board President and Erie City Councilor, making history in 2017 as Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender elected official. Currently, they run a private therapy practice while continuing to champion queer rights and social justice. Their work exemplifies how mentorship and advocacy can create meaningful change.
Jude Shingle
Jude Shingle is the Deputy Director of the Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT), where he leads the Art Department in providing free arts programs for teens across Erie County. Jude’s work fosters creativity and collaboration through initiatives like the Teen Arts Career program and Big Art Day. Previously, he founded the Idea Lab at the Erie Public Library, a maker-space that empowered hundreds of community members with access to advanced technologies. Jude’s commitment to integrating the arts into education and the community is both innovative and impactful.
Antonio Howard
Murals by Antonio Howard specializes in turning blank walls into opportunities to learn and reconnect, rebuild, and revitalize communities through process-driven community mural-making. Some of his clients include Erie Insurance, Mercy Center for Women, and the Autism Society of Northwestern PA. You can learn more about Antonio and his work at www.AntonioHoward.com.
Benton C Bainbridge
Benton C Bainbridge is a video artist, educator, and founder of FEED Media Art Center in Erie. His career has taken him around the globe, creating immersive installations and performances showcased in venues like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Benton’s return to Erie has brought new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, as FEED provides a space for artists to explore creativity using both vintage and cutting-edge technology. His passion for fostering artistic dialogue is shaping Erie’s art landscape in remarkable ways.
Panel Moderator
Dr. Paula Burleigh
Dr. Paula Burleigh is an accomplished art historian, curator, and educator. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Art History at Allegheny College, where she also co-directs the Public Humanities Program and is affiliated with the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program. Dr. Burleigh’s research delves into postwar and contemporary art, with a particular focus on feminist speculative fiction in visual art. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications such as Artforum and The Brooklyn Rail.
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