Black Book Sessions Draws Street Support
Many young people can’t imagine making art their career, but several streetwear and action-sports brands are out to change that. Black Book Sessions is a day-long event where teens and 20-somethings can learn about the opportunities for aspiring artists from professionals in the field.
Retailer Tilly’s and brands RVCA, Stuuml;ssy, Famous Stars and Straps and Hybrid are among the companies sponsoring the event, which was founded four years ago by artist Eric Martinez.
The next event is set for May 21 at Westwood College’s campus in Ontario, Calif. The five-hour workshop includes classes in drawing and painting, street-art creation, recycled jewelry and accessories, finger knitting, sock puppets, T-shirt converting, and making art from recycled materials. There will be Q&A sessions with industry insiders and an art contest.
Westwood College has been getting the word out to local high schools, and Tilly’s has been promoting the event on its website. At least 2,000 people are expected to attend.
Martinez is one of the 35 in-house artists at Hybrid, which is how the T-shirt company got involved, according to Gavin Dogan, who, with his brother and Hybrid founder Jarrod Dogan, runs the T-shirt company.
“When art classes are the first to be cut, there’s this message that you can’t make a career out of the arts—especially when you come from the urban community,” said Gavin Dogan. “We want to teach kids you really can make a career out of art—and we’ll show you how.”
For more information, visit BlackBookSessions.org.—Alison A. Nieder
