You are invited!!!!  Dec. 13th 2014, The Trading Post Gift Shop of the Du Sable Museum of African American History in Chicago will be hosting a signing and conversation with Prof. Turtel Onli. Onli will be signing his new publication, "Punkin's Imagination", children's activity book, along with "Tales From The Rhythmic Zone", a collector's graphic novel trade book,  Time: Noon until 4pm. Address: 5700 south Cottage Grove Ave.  in Chicago's picturesque Washington Park. Museum admission charged.

This is from a letter Prof. Onli recently sent to an original member of AfriCobra, Napoleon Henderson.

"We are still winning this war for minds and markets. Look up the Black Age of Comics movement! It hosts over 5  national annual events.  Creates freelance gigs.  Has entered scholarship and classes. Grows contemporary mythology.Blends literary and visual art for greater cognition.  Creativity, culture and commerce. I morphed my ideals for BAG into the Black Age when I officially launched it in 1991. I am writing you this because I strongly still feel that these efforts and contributions are not fully understood in most "Black Circles".  I know this is not the case with you, Lester, B. J.,Jose, or the late Bill Walker.  But we, The Black Age Movement,  would welcome a partnership with IPE or Third World Press, BET, EBONY or the Defender....to name a few.  But thanks to Dr. Carol Adams we are rocking sells at the Trading Post Gift Shop of the DuSable Museum in Chicago.  The mainstream is very aware or us and participating more than ever.  We have grown this genre.  We are winning!"

Spread the word!

Prof. Onli, M.A.A.T.

BAG: The Black Arts Guild was founded in 1970 by Turtel Onli to facilitate the  transition of young talented student / artist into professionals.  Its members went on to become professional mainstream illustrators, fine artists, educators, art therapists and historians. Circa 1970 / 1977. 

Onli morphed the concept of the guild into the premise of the growing Black Age of Comics Movement to facilitate the expansion of a genre that would celebrate concepts derived from the Black, African, Urban or indie experience in the world of graphic novels, comic books games. moves etc.

Milestone Media and the Black Age launched in the same month in a coordinated birthing!

Both supported the other is real terms.

A collectors' tradebook form ONLI STUDIOS!

NEWS FLASH!  Feel the return of the fire, fun and funk as ONOI STUDIOS is negotiating returning its Black Age of Comics Convention to its birthplace, The South Side Community Art Center in the historic Bronzeville area of Chicago.

Ms Masequoi Myers, the Director of the SSCAC and Prof. Onli, The Chief Operating Atrtist of oNLI STUDIOS have reached the agreement to determine a date in 2015 for the return of this landmark event.  Details will be posted here as they emerge.

Prof. Onli worked with Ms Carol Ann Brown, as co curator to this amazing showcase of talent and concepts at the Lubeznik Center of the Arts in Michigan City, Ind.

ONLI STUDIOS is grooming a staff to revive its landmark convention in the historic Bronzeville section of Chicago.

Plans are underway at ONLI STUDIOS to revive the free standing Chicago based, fully programmed, Black Age Convention while maintaining the relationship with the annual Arts and Crafts Festival of the DuSable Museum of Chicago.

Per Dr. Eillis & Chicago Artists Month: http://chicagoartistsmonth.org/nexus-chicago-based-visual-art-movements

Per Prof. Onli & Chicago Artists Month: http://chicagoartistsmonth.org/crossing-medias-genres-conceptual-borders

Chicago Artists Month
BLACK AGE EVENTS per 
ONLI STUDIOS. Oct. 2014:

Prof. Onli link


Dr. Ellis link

We at ONLI STUDIOS are thrilled to report that the growing Black Age of Comics Movement is winning!  The 2014 Season of the Black Age opened in January's Black Comic Book Day in NY....moved to ECBACC in Philadelphia, on to Chicago with Black Age XVII, down to Atlanta in Onyx Con 6, and will conclude in Detroit in September with the Motor City Black Age of Comics Event.

More...more...more!

When was the last time you saw a rack dedicated to indie Black Age product?

Ronald Wimberly vit à New-York. Il a étudié le graphisme et l’animation à l’Institut Pratt de Brooklyn (New-York). Depuis ses débuts professionnels, il y a un peu plus de dix ans, il a évolué dans des domaines tels que la publicité, la mode, les jeux, la musique… Il travaille avec de nombreux éditeurs, Dargaud, DC, Marvel, Image, Darkhorse. Il a été exposé à New-York, Tokyo et Paris. Il a également travaillé pour l’ambassade de France aux États-Unis lors d’un programme d’échanges culturels. Son travail, ancré dans les comics américains et les mouvements artistiques noirs, porte la marque d’une influence mondiale, inspirée notamment par l’Asie et l’Europe. Prince of Cats, son dernier ouvrage, lui permet d’explorer des contraintes oubapiennes. Il entre en résidence pour le projet de bande dessinée Baal, une suite de courts récits de différents styles de narration, traitant de thèmes sociaux et politiques liés à la couleur de peau , au sexe et à la classe sociale.

THE 2014 SEASON OF THE BLACK AGE IS HEADING TO ATLANTA AND DETROIT.

"I want to thank all that participants who made this a great event. The DuSable Museum. The Museum of Uncut Funk. Funky Turns 40. The 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival. "BLACK AGE XVII", Families. SIlver Phoenix. Fans. Educators. Vendors. Plus all of the talented creative folks who have graced the growing Black Age Movement since 1993."

Ytasha Womack, presenting during "BLACK AGE XVII" in Chicago at the DuSable Museum where the hot exhibition, "Funky Turns 40" was happening. "BLACK AGE XVII" was produced by ONLI STUDIOS. Ms Womack is known for her important book, "Afrofuturism". "Funky Turns 40" was produced by the Museum of Uncut Funk! 

POCKET CON In Chicago Il. 
Saturday July 12th 2014 will be featuring the 
following workshops from ONLI STUDIOS. 

12:15pm:  Dr. Ellis' workshop: Graphic Novels to the Classroom: Will explore how the value and impact of reading, reviewing and critiquing graphic novels has been repeatedly proven to improve reading scores and help young students in areas of appropriate conflict resolution. Not to mention they provide an amazing and fun filled introduction to concepts, visual art and cultures. This workshop will appeal to fans of all ages and stages who read, collect, or are curious about how comic books and graphic novels are for intelligent, creative folks.

Dr. Auburn Ellis is the Director of Creative Engagement with ONLI STUDIOS

2:15pm:  Prof. Onli's workshop: Creativity, Culture & Commerce: The tangible value of creativity, culture and commerce will be reviewed. This workshop will explore the practice of reading, buying, archiving, reselling and auctioning graphic novels, comic books and related materials.  Often many older fans are heard complaining how the books they owned in childhood now sell for thousands of dollars. They would have benefited from this workshop. So can you.

Prof. Turtel Onli is a professor of Art Appreciation & Studio Drawing at the Harold Washington College.

• Gary Comer Youth Center

  7200 South Ingleside Avenue, Chicago, IL (map)
• "Pocket Con is a single day convention for Chicago Teens. It focuses on work by artists of color, particularly African American authors and artists, as well as comics with a primary character who is Black. Pocket Con also features work in the comic genre by other underrepresented groups, such as women, Latinos, LGBTQs, and other minorities.  We have a strong belief in Indie comics and publishing, and welcome small press and self published authors as well as those involved in related forms of expression and interest, such as webcomics, animation, small-budget film-making, radio drama, and zines." This year, there will also be a focus on video game design & development. Come out, share your talents and show your support. 

Come to experience "BLACK AGE XVII" at the 

40th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival at the DuSable Museum in 

Chicago, July 12th & 13th, 2014

In the 'hood  that is the birthplace of the growing Black Age movement.

A typical day at ONLI STUDIOS in preparation for "BLACK AGE XVIL"
 at the DuSable Museum in Chicago , July 12th & 13th.

Please leave a comment or two about the growing indie Black Age of Comics movement!

Diversity Means You! LINK

We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a few comments! Thanks!

Onli's Wiki Link!

The "Father of the Black Age of Comics",  Prof. Turtel Onli M.A.A.T., 

at a recent ECBACC in Philadelphia PA. USA.

Tourism is another part of the Black Age movement!

Jun came to Chicago from Tokyo for a self directed Blues tour and kicked it with the Father of the Black Age, Turtel Onli,  at ONLI STUDIOS. Here she is wearing a vintage Onli Rhythmistic t-shirt,  presenting to us Onli's work for the touring Cool Globes Collectioin.  This group of globes features visual art statements about hot ideas for a cooler planet. See Cool Globes for more into.

Collectors, Curators and Critics are all welcomed.

There is an organization in Chicago called "Diasporal Rhythms". They specialize in collecting the works of Blacks and African-American visual artists.  We hope they discover the value and impact this amazing and innovative work from the growing, artists driven, Black Age of Comics Movement.  Especially since the Black Age was founded in Chicago and launched in 1993 at the historic South Side Community Art Center in the heart of the Bronzeville community.

It has been proven that the best Black Artists working today are active contributors to the Black Age Movement.

BLACK AGE XVII will be here this year!

QUESTION? 

 Is your graphic novel collection as Black as your music collection?

Since the launch of the Black Age as a movement in 1993 it was grown to international proportions.
Not is is ready for more!  Collectors who are buying now will set the tone.  These purchases of our rare hard to fine limited edition products will have great collect value in the future.  ONLI STUDIOS, John Jennings, N, Steven Harris and others are leading the way.

This is the second edition in a series of graphic novels to inspire young women of color to make healthier choices and to appreciate physical fitness. Another original from ONLI STUDIOS.  Cover illustration by the amazing Afua Richardson.  Various female illustrators were asked to depict Sustah-Girl working out or being healthy.  This book features the visions of those talented artists.

From Dr. Ellis: May 1st 2014

Friends, Family and Colleagues:

Reaching out to let you know I will be featured on a radio show today if you are free listen in at 11AM.  This is part of our current  Rhythmistic Outreach. The link and information are here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cbbn/2014/05/01/what-can-our-children-learn-from-their-very-own-super-heroes-1

Recently, I have been working with ONLI STUDIOS to provide Visual and Literary Arts Based Professional Development/CPUDs for educators in the Chicago area.  The role of art based learning in urban schools is critical to improving positive engagement in our classrooms! Listen in today at 11 AM for more information.  Also contact me (and check out this link) for professional development opportunities!
http://www.onlistudios.com/Rhythmistic_Institute.html

Onward & Upward,

Dr. Auburn E. Ellis
Director of Creative Engagement

 This panel and the attendees rocked the positive in some amazing ways.  The revolution just got stronger! Thanks to Gabriel Canada and the god folks of the Mighty Racebending.com!

Prof. Onli, M.A.A.T. in full Rhythmistic effect!

 BLACK AGE IIXX

The Season of the Black Age 2014 will open with ECBACC in Philadelphia. Then travel through Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and close in New York, JAn. 2015. Your positive participation is welcomed.

 Creativity, Culture and Commerce!

 This is the link to get the Amazon / Kindle download produced by Tenacious Publishing of the 'Birth of the Black Age"!  It tells the real story about the facts and forces that launched the most creative movement in the world of graphic novels and more from the founder himself, Prof. Turtel Onli, M.A.A.T.! Great for scholars, educators, fans, students and creative pros!

 Smoke This!!!

Black Age founder Prof. Onli Wiki link:

"The Birth of the Black Age" is the new, tell all, non-fiction resource book from the founder of the Black Age Movement. Due to drop in early Summer of 2014, form ONLI STUDIOS.

Follow this Facebook thread Feb. 2014: BLACK COMIX CREATORS MONTH