A view of the 2,500 square foot gallery at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago.

We were greeted by the classical music of two musicians during the opening of the "Creative Cornerstones" exhibition which featured a display of Black Age Art Stars, Afua Richardson, Arie Monroe, Ashley A. Woods, Eric Battle, John Jennings, Corey Greene, Rebekah Younger, Joe Curie, N. Steven Harris, Yaounde' Olu, Turtel Onli, and the late greats Dwayne McDuffie and L.A. Banks.

Here we are trying to bring the exhibition vibeto those who could not make it. This Black Age Art Stars' display will run until mid-November. We are so grateful for all of the creative folks who have flowed through this movement.

"Indie today: Black Age Forever"!
The location is also the home of ONLI STUDIOS.John Jennings' worx rock. He is the most dangerous man in the BlackAge!!!! lol!!!!
Fans were able to collect ONLI STUDIOS' Black Age products over the weekend open house.
This set up of display cards spoke volumes to the persistent march of annual Black Age events.
The Art is the Message!!!!!!!!
Showtime is da right time!!!!!!!

Hundreds of people flowed through over the weekend event.

We attracted museum founders,

collectors' organizations & city officials.

Fans, collectors, curators and the curious were surprised to encounter the impact & quality of illustrations created by various Black Age Art Stars. Afterwards they purchased books from ONLI STUDIOS. Creative Cornerstones is the title of this group exhibition.
"Black Comix", the book, was prominently displayed as part of the Black Age display.

OPENING RECEPTION THIS WEEKEND: This is the Black Age display in this important annual group art exhibition at the Bridgeport Art Center for 2011's Chicago Artists Month. Also it will feature a screening of the historic DVD "Black Age Central" from the 2010 Black Age of Comics Convention: Featuring creatives like Arie Monroe, John Jennings, Afua Richardson, Corey Greene, Rebeckah Younger, Eric Battle, N. Steven Harris, Turtel Onli and more. The theme this year is to show how visual artists network to form productive communities. The landmark "Black Comix" coffee table resource book and a variety of Black Age graphic novels will also be available for researchers or collectors. Ours is such a growing community.

Click on link. Look down at the small thumbnail scroll bar to find this image. Submit your vote!

http://bit.ly/q7mRwu

ONLI STUDIOS will present a Black Age Exhibition at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago opening Oct. 21st, 2011. 34th and south Racine. 4th floor. See the works of various Black Age Art Stars and feel the power of the Black Age.
Turtel will represent the Black Age movement with his Rhythmistic fine art entry to the Rush Philantropic / Bombay-Sapphire national Artist Search contest Oct. 15th at Gallery Guichard. The two local winners will advance to the prestigious Miami Art Basel.
This open house and exhibition will include a display that shows how the Black Age is a prolific visual artist driven network as well as a creative movement. Bridgeport Art Center.

You are invited to visit ONLI STUDIOS is located on the 4th floor of theBridgeport Art Center in Chicago.

Friday October 21st: Group Exhibition & reception.

4E Gallery 4th Floor and Open Studios: 5pm to 10pm.

Saturday, Oct. 22nd: Open Studios 1pm to 6pm

"Creating a community Through the Arts"

Panel discussion 5th floor 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Sunday, Oct. 23rd: Open Studios 1pm to 6pm.

Artful Brunch 3rd Floor Noon .

Call 773-726-1610 for appointments.

ONLI STUDIOS will feature a Black Age Centric showcase of enlarged illustrations in the Creative Cornerstone exhibition to show how the Black Age movement is fueled through the networking of artists from Chicago to an ongoing influencial national level.

Opening Oct. 21-23rd at 34th & south Racine in Chicago. Fri. 4pm to 20pm. 4th floor. Phone 773-726-1610 for appointments or info.

ONYX CON 2011 Youtube channel link. Check it out.

I drove to Atlanta for the 3rd ONYX CON recently to get my Black Age on. It was amazing. Positive! refreshing! Inspiring on all levels as it closed the 2011 Season of the Black Age.

( Click on images to enlarge them.)

Black Age Art Stars at the closing of ONYX CON. The diverse and growing Black Age movement is open to all positive creative folks.

A few of us Black Age Art Stars had work included in the important Afro Futurism & the visual arts exhibition at the Tubman Museum in Macon GA. So Steven harris & I went down to visit.

Me & my entry.

Steven "The Great" and one of his works in the show.

We took a break and greased down Jamaican style at the Scotch Bonnet eatery.

Standingo and Mase were among many of the Art Stars in the house over the course of this event. Research ONYX CON to learn more about the most important event of its type in the southern United States. Indie today: Black Age forever!!!!

The 2011 "Season of the Black Age" flowed through Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, and ended in Atlanta & Macon. Art Stars, fans, students, educators, families, and more. It is a genre. It is a movement. It is a celebration. It is growing. It is liberating. It is you! I am glad to be a part of it.

I will be going to see this exhibition at the......Tubman Museum:

Web site link: ONLI STUDIOS

We were successful in making the transition this year from being a free standing indie-convention to becoming a major component in the DuSable Museum's annual Festival of the Arts. ONLI STUDIOS seriously wants to thank all of the creative professionals, participants, educators, fans, customers, students, store owners & managers, Matt, James, museum staff, Dr. Adams, Ms Hunter and you for understanding , "Indie today: Black Age forever!"

We featured two comic store signings, a bowling party, and a two day exhibition tent at the outdoors festival that played to thousands of folks along with the Black Age Art Star crew went to the all mighty "House Music Picnic" that drew tens of thousands that day.
Faith took her lunch hour with us at the signing at Graham Crackers. Eric introduced his set of hot new limited edition "The Paragon Order" prints, Turtel presented the "NOG NU!!" rebooted book, and Steven, ( partially shown to the right) debutted his new "Brotherhood of the The Fringe" Special Gallery Edition. Black Age Art Stars were in effect!!!
"Super-Fan-Boy" followed Steven & Eric from New York over the years to catch them at the downtown Chicago Graham Crackers comic book super store to get his books autographed durng "Black Age XIV" week end. The night before we checked out a jazz set in China Town at the Lure Dinner/Night Club.
Onli checking out the popular and growing Black Age/ indie section of the super-cool First Aid comic book store. The hitz keep on comin'!!
During the signing at the First Aid comic book store in Hyde Park, Davina took a moment to show Jamilla her new holographic smart-phone.
Steven, Onli, Eric, & Joe were honored to introduce Lauren to the Black Age movement.
Steven & Eric were featured at the official DuSable Museum's "Authors Tent" on day one.

To enlarge images just click on them.

Please scroll all the way down and feel free to check out our "Older Posts" as well.

Damian Duffy sporting "The Hole" which he worked on along with Professor John Jennings. They are the brains and braun behind the creation of the landmark Black Comix" book.

Onli calls this book, "The most important book in the Black Age!"

(Steal this Book!!!!)

Damian Duffy, Co-Author of the must have book "Black Comix": will be featured signing and rapping about this book at First Aid Comics Store July 8th in Chicago at 1610 East 55th Street and at the Black Age Art Stars' Tent at the DuSable Museum's free annual "Back To Our Roots" Arts & Crafts Festival. Music, food, art, and signings. Noon until 8pm July 9th & 10th, 2011 57th & Cottage Grove in Chicago IL USA.

"Thank you for your interest and active participation in all things Black Age. As you know, the Black Age is not about race but about place. A place and space where indie-active creative minds can produce, collect, grow and share new exciting and passionate approaches to the visual narratives and products we crave. Our growing network of four annual conventions in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta & Detroit owes its success to you. I want to tell you how important you are. I love you as much as I love all things Black Age."





Turtel Onli M.A.A.T.


June 2011

Welcome to the 14th Annual Black Age event weekend.

Chicago IL, July 8th, 9th & 10th 2011.

"Bringing the Black Age to the Masses!!"

Eric Battle & N. Steven Harris will be making their third appearance in the annual Black Age convention program this year. Be sure to collect their originals as well as their latest products!

Please scroll down for program details & updates.

Lodging:

Ramada Inn in Hyde Park 50th on the Lake.

Phone: 773-288-5800

International House / University of Chicago Campus

Phone: 753-2270

Produced by ONLI STUDIOS.

Battle, Harris & Duffy will be signing books at the First Aid Comic Book Store at 1611 East 55th Street in Chicago Friday 5:00pm to 7:00pm July 8th, 2011.

Last year, for October's Chicago Artists' Month 2010, during "BLACK AGE XIII" weekend Art Stars N. Steven Harris, Turtel Onli, Arie Monroe, Eric Battle & Afua Richardson went on a stroll to check out an amazing mural that was a tribute to the founder of the city of Chicago, Jean Pointe DuSable, along with visits to the Oriental Museum and the DuSable Museum. In Chicago our Black Age convention typically features a weekend of related events.

This mural was created by Statik Barnes, Max Sinsang & Troy Patterson per the Chicago Public Art Group.

BTW: The DuSable's Trading Post gift shop features a rack of Black Age books all year!!!

This year "BLACK AGE XIV" will be bringing the Black Age to the masses!!!

You can meet great Black Age Art Stars. Buy their books and original art. Learn from them. Party with them. Introduce them to your folks. Collect their prints and other products. All while helping them to bring the Black Age to the masses.

Read on to learn about this year's event as we go back to our roots. Remember to click each image to experience them in their fullest. Pictured above is a group of inspired young fans visiting the ONLI STUDIOS table at last year's "Black Age XIII". Power Royal was there portraying Onli's character, "Sustah-Girl, Queen of the Black Age. She is in the front row with her fans.

The Black Age was there on the grounds of the DuSable in 1996

as part of the African Festival of the Arts....

Now the Black Age returns as....

“BLACK AGE XIV”

CHICAGO IL USA

JULY 8th, 9th & 10th 2011

“Back To Our Roots!!”

Bringing the Black Age To The Masses!

Produced by ONLI STUDIOS Chicago IL USA

The 14th Annual Black Age Convention

Friday: July 8th:

Signings: Graham Crackers Comic Book Super Store at 77 East Madison in Chicago will host Erin Battle illustrator of the Scourge, N. Steven Harris of Vampire Huntress & The Fringe along with Turtel Onli of "NOG NU!! at noon until 2pm.

First Aid Comics hot spot at 1617 East 55th Street in Hyde Park will host Eric Battle of The Scourge, N. Steven Harris of Vampire Huntress & The Fringe along with Damian Duffy of Black Comix at 5pm until 7pm.

Black Age Art Stars & Creators Networking Bowling Bar set: 8pm to 10pm at Seven Ten 1055 East 55th Street in Hyde Park, Chicago, (President Obama's personal 'hood). First come first served.

Sat. & Sun: July 9th & 10th:

Visit our tent during the Annual DuSable Museum’s Arts & Crafts Festival. Free Admission Noon to 8pm.

Meet Eric Battle illustrator of Aspen, Marvel & DC fame,
N. Steven Harris, Creator of the “Fringe”, Tim Jackson political cartoonist, Turtel Onli, Creator of NOG, Corey Greene, Digital Colorist
Damian Duffy editor of "Black Comix" & others artists, designers and writers.

Buy original art and prints from these talented Black Age Art Stars each day
along with collecting a wide variety of Black Age Products.

Family theme cartooning works shops at the activity tent./TBA
On site authors' panels to meet the writers & illustrators./TBA

Discover the joy or reading the most exciting genre in graphic novels today.

Check us out later for updates.

Digital Colorist, Corey Greene will be holding it down at our tent July 9th & 10th 2011 at the DuSable Museum's "Back To OUr Roots' Arts & Crafts Festival.

Internet contacts:

N. Steven Harris

http://www.nstevenworks.com/ and/or www.nstevenharris.deviantart.com

For Tim Jackson
http://www.clstoons.com/

Turtel Onli

NOG

All images will enlarge with a simple click.

Meet special guest, Joe Currie / Strictly Underground.

Black Age Art Star "Vampire Huntress" illustrators N. Steven Harris and Eric Battle pictured with the amazing Afua Richardson of Top Cow at last year's "Black Age XIII" in Chicago. Harris & Battle, (both of L.A. Banks' "Vampire Huntress" fame) will be featured guests at "Black Age XIV" Taking the Black Age To The Masses" July 9th & 10th at the DuSable Museum in Chicago.

(Free admission. Everyone is welcomed. Handicapped access.)

This and future Black Age events are dedicated to the life, creative work and

legacy of the late Black Age great, writer/businessman/ visionary,

Dwayne McDuffie ( featured in the center above along with Milestone founders Denys Cowan & Derek Dingle ). He was an active supporter of the Chicago event from the beginning. We are so much greater for him, his vision, his work ethic and contributions.

Use the following link, below the next image, that reads "DuSable Museum" to access the DuSable's official website. Vendor details for the festival are presented for professionals interested is securing a solo set up.

The DuSable Museum

"THE MASTERS OF THE BLACK AGE

ARE BRINGING THE BLACK AGE TO THE MASSES!!!"

New dates and new location.

BTW: ONLI STUDIOS is planning to produce "BLACK AGE XIV" at the DuSable Museum in Chicago as an open -air event wiht a double-tent during the museum's annual outdoors festival of the arts July 9th & 10th 2011.

ONLI STUDIOS will have a 10" X 20" tent that will feature Eric Battle, N. Steven Harris, Damian Duffy, Lauren White-Jackson, Corey Green, Tim Jackson, Yaounde' Olu while Dr. Kamau Rashied will lead Back To School presentation at the tent dealing with bringing the Black Age into the class room on all levels along with the success of the dedicated spinning rack of Black Age books in the Trading Post, Gift Shop of the internationally renown DuSable Museum of African American History.

Due to limited space there are no registration or vending arrangements for the ONLI STUDIOS' / Black Age section of this event beyond the select invited Masters of the Black Age this year. Everyone is invited to experience the DuSable Museum, its gift shop and the other exciting activites of this weekend.



We want to thank our fans, cosplayers, 'squeraders, critics, haters, loyal vendors and participants of past Black Age events as we go through this transition phase in the growth of the Chicago Black Age event. Our success and that of the Black Age movement has always benefited from your positive energy, professionalism and creativity. We thank you very much for it all and plan to get even better!

We want to become as good as you want us to be!


This year "BLACK AGE XIV" will feature invitation only vendors, creators, and presenters to focus on quality standards, style, and image along with professional history.