In February 1993 this was the promotional flyer that went out to promote 

the first Black Age of Comics Convention.

Multiglobal we are!!

International, national or local fans, 

please post your comments.  

 We would love to know them!

This is a section of the ONLI STUDIOS' exhibition and workshop series dealing with
20 Years of growing the Black Age Movement.
Open Nov. 5th 2012 until March 1st 2013.  It highlights the many talents and images that shape this dynamic movement of Culture, Creaitivity & Commerce.

This is a 11 minute documentary produced by Ms Barbara Jones-Hogu
and ONLI STUDIOS to cover the process and concepts featured in the Black Age Movement.

ONLI STUDIOS Online Store Link

Click on images to enlarge.


Second link

Educators Professional Development Workshop:

“DIVERSITY & LITERACY
THROUGH GRAPHIC NOVELS”

Focus:

The growing Black Age of Comics Movement and the exciting contemporary world of Graphic Novels. Bring fun, multiculturalism, recreational reading, creative writing and interdisciplinary art to your classes.  Relcutant readers, visual learners and creative writers will find this process compelling and appealing. 

This creative  movement was started in Chicago in February 1993 by Mr. Turtel Onli to expand the range and participation in the production of Graphic Novels and Comic Books.  He is NCLB Certified, BFA, MAAT, an Art teacher with the Chicago Public Schools, a Visiting Artist at the African American Cultural Center at UIC.,  and an Adjunct Professor in Art Appreciation at Harold Washington College.
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Registration  with classes scheduled to suit your busy schedule. Solo, one to one sessions or small groups. You may arrange your own cohort. 

Earn 3 to 15 CPDUs.
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Fee:

$75.00 + 3 Hours / CPDUs  
$125.00 = 6 Hours / CPDUs
$150.00 = 15 Hours / CPUDs

Special introductory rate.

Benefits:

Presented by Turtel Onli , M.A.A.T.

You will learn how to adapt and bring graphic novels into the classroom for students of all levels.

You will learn to use our curriculum guides, online resources, Black Age documentary DVD, activity plans and sample Indie-Black Age products while earning 3 CPDUs. 

You will be able to study in the studio / gallery featuring the exhibition "20th Years Living in The Black Age of Comics".  Showcasing images, illustrations, articles and memorabilia from two decades of growing the Black Age of Comics and positive diversity in this exciting industry. 

When: 

Class sessions will be arranged to suit your busy schedule.  No class is too small.
Maximum number per session is 15 educators.

Location:

ONLI STUDIOS

4^th Floor,  Bridgeport Art Center

34^th and South Racine, ( Enter via the rear loading dock. )

Chicago IL 60609 

“DIVERSITY & LITERACY
THROUGH GRAPHIC NOVELS”

Call to reserve your participation: Phone: 773-726-1610  Email: onli@sbcglobal.net

Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.
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Photo from a recent ONLI STUDIOS Black Age exhibition at the University Park Public Library.

Feb. 1993 saw the launch of Milestone Media and the Black Age of Comics Movement.  Both expanded the potential of graphic novels worldwide. comic books and related forms of creativity, culture, and commerce. It opened the range of professionals, ideas, concepts, art styles, story lines, looks of characters and the social template upon which contemporary in this medium can be built.  Plus the emergence of new creative art stars to the delight of fans, publishers  and collectors of all types.

"The better works of those in the Black Age movement are often a matter of intra-class-culture enlightenment along with recreational reading. It often harvests from areas that the mianstream wants to learn."

"BTW: At its best the work of the Black Age is an unscanctioned expression with immense growth potential!"  I said to a educator recently.

The Black Age of Comics

In 1993, Onli debuted the annual Black Age of Comics convention in Chicago as a rising illustrator interested in bringing his dimensional Black comic book characters to a wider audience. The Black Age Comic Con was designed to promote commercial and independently produced graphic novels and related products that feature prominent characters of African descent.
As Onli organized the inaugural Black Age of Comics Conventions in Chicago, he went further to organize Black graphic illustrators and novelists for a national tour, partnering with the San Diego Comic Con, The Chicago Comic Con, and Milestone Media.  The Black Age of Comics Convention exists today, co-sponsored annually by the DuSable Museum and attracting hundreds of excited attendees each year. 

 The Black Age of Comics Convention celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2013.

The convention always features successful commercial and independent illustrators and graphic novelists. Past features have included Afua Richardson-- the only female Black comic book artist who has worked for Marvel, DC and Image Comics, Eric Battle—illustrator of numerous iconic superhero characters for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, the late novelist LA Banks, and other stellar artists in the field.  
Black Age of Comics founder Turtel Onli has amassed accolades and recognition for his work in expanding the platform for artists of African descent. He was awarded a Life Time Achievement award in 2006 by Temple University, named, “The Father of the Black Age of Comics” for his work with the convention.

DuSable Museum

In 1995 there was still only one Black Age Convention.  Now there are four in the USA and one in Nigeria.  Many more to come.

Watch out for "NOG and the Protectors".  It will be released during the 20th Anniversary tour. 2013. This photo features Turtel Onli, "Father of the Black Age" with Brothers of Ebony Soul. Featured at the African Festival of the Arts in Chicago, Labor Day weedend 2012.

1970 Onli founded the Black Arts Guild, in Chicago to support young talented student artists to transition into emerging professional artists. It lasted until 1977 when Onli left to live, study & work in Paris, France  where he discovered the bande-dessinee industry and formulated the foundation for the growing Black Age of Comics Movement which was officially launched  Feb. 1993 in Chicago.

February 2013 will be the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Black Age Movement. 

 In February of 1993 Comics Buyers Guide published the manifesto type article entitled, "The Black Age of Comics" by Turtel Onli. 

That same month Onli conceived of and worked with Craig Rex Perry & Cassandra Washington to produce the first ever Black Age of Comics Convention at the South Side Community Art Center in the historic Bronzeville area of Chicago.  Plus Milestone Media launched the most important company in the history of the Black Age.
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This was a coordinated manifestation of power, creativty, culture and commerce.
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Indie today: Black Age forever!!!"
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 African Festival of the Arts Book Pavilion

Book Talks, Panel Discussions, Signings and More

Nnedi Okorafor , Akata Witch

Turtel Onli, 20th Anniversary of the Black Age of Comics Movement,  Feb. 2013

African Festival of the Arts Book Pavilion

Book Talks, Panel Discussions, Signings and More

Friday, August 31, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012

Host: Patrick M. Oliver, www.speakloudly.com  

Friday, August 31, 2012

  

5:30 p.m. MC Lyte is Unstoppable

Book talk and networking with MC Lyte who will be discussing her new book Unstoppable and foundation Hip-Hop Sisters Network. Book signing to follow.

This event is co-hosted by the Young & Powerful of Chicago.

7:30 p.m. MC Lyte on the AFA Main Stage  

MC Lyte shares excerpts from her new book Unstoppable with book signing to follow.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Writers share their literary works during short lively and informative book talks. Eleanor Hart, Cory Hall and others

4:00 p.m. Third World Press Author Showcase

Meet authors from the most successful publisher of Black literature.

5:00 p.m. Fiction by Another Name

Curtis Crisler, The Dreamist

Nnedi Okorafor , Akata Witch

Turtel Onli, Black Age of Comics

Special note: Following the discussion there will be a special presentation honoring Nnedi Okorafor, PhD for celebrating the African tradition in her literary works.

  

Monday, September 3, 2012

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Writers share their literary works during short lively and informative book talks.

3:00 p.m. Books for and about Children and Youth

Patrick Oliver moderates discussion with writers, activist and educators about the power of books and recommended readings for children and youth.

Panelist: Kay McCrimon, Cora Coleman-Dunham (invited), Turtel Onli and local educator

Special note: Patrick Oliver will unveil the front cover of his new Notes from a Literary Activist.  The front cover features a painting by noted artist Frank Frazier who will be in attendance.

patrick m. oliver
literary consultant . program manager . radio host 

speakloudly.com 

We should talk while we are still alive - Kenyan proverb

The Art of Mshindo Kuumba I will be featured during ONYX CON in a rare solo exhibition at the Southwest Art Center, Atlanta GA. Below is his Black Age Montage of assorted Black Age characters.

 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLACK AGE OF COMICS:

February 2013 will be the official 20th anniversary of the launch of the growing Black Age of Comics and the Black Age movement by Turtel Onli and ONLI STUDIOS. 

 February 26th 1993 Comic Buyers Guide featured a manifesto-styled article by Onli calling for growth of the independent Black Age of Comics as a movement, genre and force.  That month saw the First Black Age of Comics Convention given at the Southside Community Art Center in the historic Bronzeville section of Chicago along with the launch of the Milestone Media line up which hit with Hardware #1.  Prior to this convergence, behind the scenes ,at a number of conventions Onli, Craig Rex Perry, Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan and Mike Davis explored various needs, options and creative aspects needed to be realized to establish a lasting presence in this industry by opening the path to new ideas, hot styles and fresh concepts.

"We love our fans!!!" This is a matter of creativity, culture, & commerce!

Now we are rapidly growing our indie Black Age market share through the efforts of four annual conventions, the annual Black Comic Book Day, a growing list of true great Black Age Art Stars,  year long sales at Chicago's  DuSable Museum's Trading Post Gift Shop, plus online store tags at Black AgeofComics.com "The Mshindo Montage",  and the impact of the "Black Comix" book by Jennings & Duffy.  Not to mention the coming "High Rise Projects" promotions.

We are looking to sell hundreds of thousands of products on a regular basis in markets on an international level. To Blackuns everywhere, of every race & culture, we sincerely thank you for your growing support, creativity, collecting and sharing our mission, passion, and products.  "We love you!!!

Dr. Onli, M.A.A.T.

For more infomaiton:

www.dablackage.blogspot.com

www.onlistudios.com

Black Age Art Stars . Steven Harris, Afua Richardson and Eric Battle will be among those featured during "BLACK AGE XV" in Chicago at the DuSable Museum's Arts & Crafts Festival.

"BLACK AGE XV" presented by ONLI STUDIOS at the DuSable Museum's Annual Arts & Crafts Festival July 14th & 15th 2012 in Chicago brings the growing Black Age of Comics movement home to Chicago where it all started.  Featuring internationally known Black Age greats such as Afua Richardson, Eric Battle, Mshindo Kuumba I, N. Steven Harris, Turtel Onli, Ureaus, & more.  Parents, Students, Fans, Educators, Collectors, and festival visitors will appreciate meeting these gifted authors & artists who will be presenting, signing and selling graphic novels, prints, and original art.  They have worked for the likes of Aspen Comics, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Milestone Media, Johnson Publishing, Third World Press and more.  The Black Age is a movement & genre in comic books, games, movies, & graphic novels based on concepts derived from the Black, African, Urban or Independent experience.  "We love to share and learn from our public."  

As Onli often says:  "Indie today: Black Age Forever!!!"

"BLACK AGE XV" will have a positive presence at both events. 
We will be in the Art Exhibition during the AACC / UIC Summer Arts Festival 's Art Exhibition plus

 The Arts and Crafts Festival at the DuSable Museum in Chicago.

www.blackageofcomics.com
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ATTENTION: Individual creative professionals interested in securing vending space or the like are encouraged to directly contact the DuSable Museum about a space in its Annual Arts and Crafts Festival or the African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago per its 1st Annual Summer Festival.

NOTE:  ONLI STUDIOS is not selling booth space for either event.  Instead it is graciously participating in these events to promote the growing Black Age movement and the incredible Art Stars that fuel its growth and positive impact.

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The African-American Cultural Center at UIC

Proudly Presents

1^st Annual Summer Arts Festival

Join us for a series of Photography, Genealogy and Dance Workshops, as well as an Arts Exhibition and a Juried Arts Showcase

The Festival will run

June 1, 2012-August 31, 2012

Events will be held on the  East Campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

Dance Workshops

July 11, 2012 – Bomba (Puerto Rican) with Laura Reibock

July 25, 2012-Chicago-Style Stepping with National Steppers Society

All workshops 6:30-8:00pm

All  dance workshops will be held at the following location listed below, excluding the July 11th Bomba workshop, the location of which is TBD:

UIC Dance Studio

Student Center East

Room 713

750 S. Halsted Street

Chicago, IL 60607

UIC African-American Cultural Center

Addams Hall

Room 209

830 S. Halsted Street

Chicago, IL 60607

Photography Workshop

Dates, Times, Location-TBD

Genealogy Workshop

Dates, Times, Location-TBD

Arts Exhibition

Date:  June 2012-August 31, 2012

AACC Gallery, Addams Hall Room 209

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Juried Outdoor Arts Showcase

Wednesday July 18, 2012

On the Lecture Center Plaza

10am-5pm

All events are open to the public.  $8 per workshop .

*If interested in displaying artwork in the Juried Arts Showcase

Please call 312-996-9549 for more information and to register for workshop(s)

'BLACK AGE XV" will be here, at the DuSable, under a tent featuring such Black Age Art Stars as Afua Richardson, Eric Battle, N. Steven Harris and many more signing, selling and showing folks why the Black Age is here to stay!

This is the summer long, "BLACK AGE XV Art Stars", altar display at the African American Cultural Center at UIC. You will notice the only dedicated rack of Black Age products currently on any college campus.

Fans, Educators, & Collectors can now hit the following link and scroll down to locate the online store PayPal tabs to order ONLI STUDIOS' Rhythmistic products & Black Age books via the Home Page of www.blackageofcomics.com

"BLACK AGE XV" welcomes you!!!!!! July 14th & 15th 2012 Chicago IL.

Come and meet Black Age greats such as N. Steven Harris and Eric Battle, ( pictured above at last year's event ) Afua Richardson and many more.  Collect Black Age products, art prints, original highly valued artwork from published books, jewelry and much more at this fun filled annual outdoor festival of Arts, Crafts, creativity and commerce.

"BLACK AGE XV" will  be a part of this major event.  ONLI STUDIOS will program a tent featuring Black Age greats, Eric Battle, N. Steven Harris, Afua Richardson and more.  Plus The DuSable will have its open-air Author's Booth.    Culture, creativity & commerce. Black Age products are carried year 'round in the Trading Post Gift Shop of the DuSable Museum.


Bringing the Black Age to the masses!  More details will be posted soon.

 ONLI STUDIO's Sustah-Girl Work Out Book met the National Annual GirlTrek
 event Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago at the DuSable Museum's
 Trading Post Gift Shop.

The 2012 Season of the Black Age opens tonight with ECBACC in  Philadelphia!

Open your minds!!!!!

Dr. Kenneth Clark did a psychological test to appraise the intuitive preferences to "Black" or "White" toy dolls on the parts of Black, Colored, or Negro children.  His results were the enlightened foundation to winning the Brown vs The Board of Education case that ended official segregation in Public Education in the USA.  That was the early 1950s. The Black Age is an outgrowth of the global graphic novels/comic book industry and should be embraced as a unique genre with growth potential.  So why does one question the value and need to grow and share the beauty and power of the Black Age movement with fans and folks of all types.  We have so much to offer?

Attend a Black Age event near you.  Collect the products as well. 

 Indie today: Black Age forever!!!!

DuSable Gala & Black Out Tour 2012

At the recent 100 Stars Gala at the DuSable Museum in Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanual met Turtel Onli, Mshindo Kuumba I and Ureaus of the Black Out Tour. Mshindo & Ureaus were guests of ONLI STUDIOS to the event and over the weekend which included the Kemetic Insititue, The Bronzeville Walk of Fame and C2E2 with an after set gathering at ONLI STUDIOS in the  Bridgeport Art Center.

"BLACK AGE XV" will be a feature of the Annual Arts & Crafts Festival at the DuSable Museum July 14th & 15th 2012.  Year 'round you can buy and collect Black Age products & books in the Trading Post Gift Shop at the DuSable.

Visit ONLI STUDIOS, ( publisher, advocate, & distributor ),  to collect and appreciate

the best  from the Black Age. 

 On 3rd Fridays as advertised or by appointment: 773-726-1610

 The 3rd Annual Black Comic Book Day Feb. 2012, in Chicago was focused on the Trading Post Gift Shop at the DuSable Museum, which sells Black Age product on a regular basis.  The above article appeared in February in "The MASH" which is a free newspaper distributed to high schools in and around Chicago.

The new "Sustah-Girl Workout Book" which features illustrations from the likes of Afua Richardson, Sara Brust and Rachelle Rosenberg. It is available from ONLI STUDIOS,or at the Trading Post gift shop of the DuSable Museum in Chicago.

 Above:  Two very talented and intelligent "Blackuns" participated in the 3rd Annual Black Comic Book Day Event at Chicago's DuSable Museum's Trading Post gift SHop.  "Blackuns" is a term used by Onli to refer to fans and followers of the growing Black Age movement.

Onli proudly showing off the book that features the illustrations of Afua Richardson, Johann Gagnon, Rebekah Younger, Sara Brust and many more female  guest illustrators.  Each were asked to interpret Sustah-Girl working out or being healthy. They did a great job in contributing to this work out book / anthology. The DuSable Museum features a dedicated rack of Black Age products year 'round for its clients, fans & etc.

See www.blackcomicbookday.com for more info.