MAGAZINE Official Publication of the Gateway Media Arts Lab
Spring 2022
Find Your
INNER BEAUTY SUMMER VIBES: FASHIOM TOP PICKS
TEWODROSS MELCHISHUA WILLIAMS THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY ARTS SCENE VETERAN HAS A NEW ENDEAVOUR
Vol. 02
MAGAZI NE
THE LAB MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
The Lab is a professional home for creatives from around the DMV and beyond. The magazine was created to tell their stories, and shine a light on our community and collective impact. For more information, visit GatewayCDC.org .
PUBLISHER GATEWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PAT THORNTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF MICHELLE DARDEN-LEE RHETT BUTLER MANAGING EDITOR RHETT BUTLER WRITER/COPYEDITOR AYOKA BLANDFORD LAYOUT AND DESIGN KEIONA CLARK PROGRAM PARTNERS CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER PRINCE GEORGE'S ARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL CREATIVE EDGE COLLABORATIVE
SPONSORED BY:
Gateway Community Development Corporation 4102 Webster Street, North Brentwood, MD 20722 301-864-3860
TABLE OF CONTE NTS WHAT'S THE GATEWAY - 4
The Creative Incubator of the Gateway Arts District.
MEET EMPRESS J - 18
Bajan-American Empress Joyner - the Gateway's triple threat with a global vision.
COVER STORY - 6
Meet Tewodross Melchishua Williams, Prince George's County's renaissance man. A NEW CATALOG - 12
Photographer, Andy Delgiudice, captures Lab artists before making his exit.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - 22
Executive Director, Pat Thornton, one community engagement specialist, two Lab residents and three mayors.
MEET THE RESIDENTS, A PROFILE SERIES - 15
Michael Chin, a faithbased filmmaker, is ready to share his perspective with the world.
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e h T s ' What ? y a w e Gat The Gateway Media Arts Lab is a creative industries incubator and artist collaborative located in Mount Rainier, MD. With a focus on culture, community and the greater good, the Lab helps media arts professionals and other creative entrepreneurs expand their businesses and refine their artistic visions. We house over 30 creative enterprises. Their products and services facilitate transformation through storytelling, culture, art and design. The Lab is a lead project of Gateway Community Development Corporation. Founded in 1997 Gateway CDC’s mission is to drive economic revitalization within the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District through the arts. Gateway CDC works within the towns of Brentwood, North Brentwood and Mt. Rainier. Our team works in collaboration with multiple partners to ensure the success of the entire Gateway Arts District and celebrate the diversity of arts and entertainment along a vibrant mixed-use two-mile corridor.
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COVER STORY TEWODROSS MELCHISHUA WILLIAMS Filmmaker, animator, designer, producer, and professor
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For over 30 years, Prince George's county based filmmaker Tewodross Melchishua Williams has collaborated with local producers, artists and creatives. Now "Teo" as he is known to his friends, is currently wrapping up a script for a feature-length film called The Beat. The film, 10 years in the making, will showcase Teo's signature visual effects and animation, but notably will feature a dynamic soundtrack. The Beat will be the sci-fi and rhythmic journey of a mother and anthropologist teaching at an HBCU, who is is given ancient artifacts and, along with her young son, the opportunity to save the world from impending doom. Most of the film will be shot in Prince George’s County and specifically on location in the Gateway Arts District. The afrofuturist film and multimedia experience will be produced through the Gateway Media Arts Lab with support from the Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council and Prince George's Film Office. Teo will soon begin financing and pre-production with production expected to begin in 2025. "The soundtrack and music will be a huge part of this project or experience. I want to show some love to some of my favorite local artists, DJs and producers who create hip-hop, gogo, soul, house, afrobeat and reggae music." THE LAB | 08
Founded in 2008 to "put ideas into motion", Visual Jazz is the creative brainchild of Tewodross aka “Teo”. The moniker, Visual Jazz, pays homage to visual artist Romare Bearden and musician Thelonious Monk. This unique collective is home to visual storytellers who use their artistry and technology prowess to produce digital content for film, media and live performance. The collective is also committed to “building our creative community and local economy through collaboration and the use of film, animation, technology and media arts.” In addition to being a filmmaker and artist, Teo is an afrofuturist. He's been teaching the genre in his visual culture and cinematography courses for some time at Bowie State. He's also an authority on speculative fiction, horror, fantasy and topics including images of African Americans and the Black Diaspora. "The subject also coincides with my courses and minor in hip-hop studies and visual culture. I have been very excited about the possibilities for infinite stories that have yet to be told."
CLIENTS AND FILMOGRAPHY "The Couch” and “The Waiting Room” (Megamind Media) Butterfly Girl
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Edge of the Pier
Love You Outside In
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| Donny's Path
All About the Drama Theater Group
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Convergence Theatre
Blue Hype (Shaolin Jazz)
| From Negros to Negus
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Free Mind TV
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Sewra Kidane
The Anacostia Playhouse
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Sole Defined
The Keegan Theater
"Most recently I worked with the amazing Tressa Azarel Smallwood of Megamind Media-responsible for the opening titles and motion graphics on “The Available Wife”. (ALL BLK network and BET). THE LAB | 07
Fueling the Creative Economy As Program Coordinator of Bowie State
There have also been featured speakers
University’s (BSU) Visual Communication
and presentations from Pixar, Disney
and Digital Media Arts (VCDMA)
Television Animation, Small Town
program, Teo is creating significant
Animation Studios, PBS Kids, Netflix
partnerships that will change the future
Animation, Dreamworks, and of course
of its students and the landscape of the
Laika, to discuss careers, internships, and
arts in Prince George's County.
opportunities in the animation industry.
Bowie State has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a partnership with A & E Networks (A & E, Lifetime, History Channel, Biography Channel, Vice TV and more). The MOU establishes internships in film and media for BSU students beginning in Fall 2022. The VCDMA program has also partnered with Laika Animation Studios. With their funding and support, the university is currently building the first stop-motion animation studio at an HBCU and is now offering its first course in stop-motion and experimental animation.
The BSU Department of Fine and Performing Arts has signed an MOU with Megamind Media and Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council. Students from the VCDMA program worked on Megamind Media productions as interns. And in March 2022, actress/singer and producer Tichina Arnold came to campus to direct and shoot a film, written by fashion design adjunct professor Maggy Francois.
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INSPIRING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, BY CREATING ART THAT HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT. Our mission is to provide a hub for creatives to grow their potential, by offering networking and collaboration opportunities, events and exhibitions, advocacy, and platform throughout the Metropolitan area, as well as introducing DC, Maryland, and Virginia artists to platforms and opportunities in other parts of the country. DMVL also brings awareness and culture to public facilities as well as the community through curation and community/public art projects.
Phone
Address
240-484-8866
dmvleagueofartists@gmail.com
3311 Rhode Island Ave. Gateway Media Arts Lab
DEVELOPMENT DMVL is a leading partnership for creatives offering mentorships, access to our networks, and artist development.
CURATION DMVL provides curating services for local businesses, galleries, and home decor.
EDUCATION DMVL offers workshops for artists, as well as for the community.
DMV LEAGUE OF ARTISTS The League was established under the belief that there is strength in numbers. We value the ideas, talents, and individuality of our artists, as well as the value that every artist brings to the table, to ensure the League continues to grow stronger. We believe in team support as well as coming together to accomplish goals; making the DMV League of Artists an organizational FORCE; staying true to our motto:
“Creative Powers Unite!!!”
MURALS | PUBLIC ART Whether you're looking for an incredible (and Instagrammable) feature wall, an office mural, showstopping art for your hotel lobby, or curb appeal for your properties–look no further. We are creators of art forward messaging that inherently compels people to connect, engage, and share. We put a truly authentic and artistic spin on your advertising or public art projects.
EVENTS | EXHIBITIONS DMV LEAGUE OF ARTISTS understands that the organization plays a key and critical role in providing a platform for personal & professional artistic growth. This is achieved through annual programs, sip and paints, exhibitions/events/speaking engagements; the promotion of artwork sales outside that of a commercial gallery; the creation of income-generating opportunities for artists.
IN HIS OWN WORDS On Prince George's County - "We have one of the largest and bustling communities of African Americans and others from the African Diaspora as well as Latinix and Hispanic demographics. These and other international communities only add to the flavor of the county. We have yet to fully tap into our potential. It is beyond time for Prince George’s County to be recognized as a center for entertainment and production. My goal is to continue to contribute to the filmmaking, animation, and media arts industry." On the Gateway Arts District - "The Gateway Arts District is creating a central location in Prince George’s County, for film, animation, design, production and digital media and really for the entertainment industry as a whole. We are centrally located, close to DC, Baltimore and Annapolis, and can be that “hub” to develop, produce, edit and hopefully, market and distribute various film, television and animation productions. There are so many dope creatives here and I see it quickly becoming a center for entertainment and film/media production. On the Gateway Media Arts Lab - The Lab has been great for my career and as an entrepreneur. It has allowed me to have a central place or hub to work as a creative and specifically in the Gateway Arts District. This has led to greater networking and ways to collaborate with other artists and businesses in the Lab and within this community. The Lab is also next to DPARK 3311 which expands capabilities to include fashion and costume design, wardrobe, sound and design production and services. There are also meeting spaces for clients and customers. Partnerships with the City of Mount Rainier, Prince George’s County Arts and Humanities Council, the Prince George's Film Office and Gateway CDC provide us great access to the local studios, businesses and companies and add to the creative economy."
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ANDY DELGIUDICE CAPTURES LAB ARTISTS
A NEW CATALOG
By Andy DelGiudice
Andy DelGiudice joined the Lab in July 2021. In July of this year, he will be leaving us and heading to Rhode Island with his family.
"I GOT TO CREATE SOME GREAT NEW WORK AND BUILT A STRONGER
But before his exit, he's created a new catalog of
CONNECTION WITH THE ARTISTS AND
portraits that have captured
ENTREPRENEURS THAT WORK OUT OF
the Lab community.
THE LAB."
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" M ic hwa e l C h in a n d h is
The Lab is a launchpad for local businesses, entrepreneurs and creative
if e D e s ir e e W il li a m s w ere super fun to work w it h a n d g a v e m e t im e to e x p e r im e n t w it h a f e w lo o k s a nd t e c h n iq u e s before s e t t li n g o n a setup t h a t w il l b e the b a s e li n e f o r the rest o f t h e p r o je ct. They a r e in t h e m id s t o f la u n c h in g a f a it h b a s e d c lo t h in g li n e , G o o d t im in g by them too to score some free photos!
"
enterprises. I primarily use it as a location for headshot sessions. The project has me creating a new catalog of portraits of the Gateway Media Arts Lab community. This is one of those mutually beneficial endeavors that I love to pursue. Each participating member received a free portrait session and a collection of fresh images they can use however they please. The Lab received a batch of favorites from each session that can be used to promote its community and the talent it encompasses.
" I c o m p l e t e d t h e f i r s t s e s s i o n a n d a f t e r s o m e e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n an d t est i n g, dec i ded t o d o s i t t i n g p o r t r a i t s o n b r i g h t w h i t e b a c k g r o u n d s . T h e f i r s t s essi on of a ser i es i s a l w a y s i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e i t s e t s t h e o v e r a l l t o n e a n d d i r e c t i on f or t h e r est of t h e p r o j e c t . I w e n t i n w i t h l i t t l e t o n o p l a n e x c e p t f o r m y p e r p e t u al adm i r at i on f or Platon and a willingness to try just about anything." THE LAB | 13
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FILMMAKER, DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER MICHAEL KLEOS CHIN
MEET THE RESIDENTS A PROFILE SERIES
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Filmmaker
From grade school to high school, Michael has been involved in theater art programs that introduced him to the world of acting. It was through these programs that his love for theatrical arts began and flourished. He landed roles in several plays that helped him hone in on his craft as a performer. However, soon Michael began to look beyond just acting. "I grew. And there were scripts that I wanted to see produced so I became the change I wanted to see. I started writing scripts that I call “downloads from heaven,” picked up a camera, and started my journey from there." At the tender age of 16, Michael wrote and produced a web series titled “The Root of all Evil.” that followed the path of a young dancer as she is faced with the opportunity of a lifetime. Years later, he turned the series into a short film. Recently, Michael released a movie called “ The Wages of Sin,” which is now streaming on the platform TUBI. Now Michael's goal is to create and cultivate a community of faith based filmmakers and help them take their content to the next level. "I also plan to produce more content and show it to the world. "
Michael also commented on his experience at the Lab. "The members are very helpful, and look to get others to the next level. The community is inviting and safe - it’s a “come as you are” space to work, relax, and feel comfortable practicing your craft. Also, as part of my Lab experience I connected with Howard Gibson who taught me a structure of writing scripts, and helped to connect me with industry professionals who are helping to move my productions forward. I’ve also been doing white board sessions with Michelle Lee to help grow the business side of my filmmaking."
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Meet Empress J
Empress Joyner is using music and culture to connect the Gateway and Africa's shores.
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Bajan-American and triple threat Empress Joyner is the founder and CEO of Empress J Entertainment. She is a dancer, actor, producer and singer known for her "raspy, but sensual" register and unapologetically raw content. She has performed hip hop, gospel and rock and has signed with Rich Nation Entertainment/Sony Music Entertainment. But, Empress' true love is Soca, and her latest project is the AfriCaribbean Music Festival. The festival will be held in Sierra Leone, December 28, 2022 and is the first festival designed to bring together Africans, Caribbeans, African-Americans and Afro-Latinos through Soca music, arts, culture and ancestry.
Produced in promotional partnership with Miami Carnival, the festival will be the first festival in Sierra Leone, designed to bring together Africans, Caribbeans, African-Americans and AfroLatinos through Soca music, arts, culture and ancestry. With the Gateway Community Development Corporation (the Lab's parent organization) as a fiscal sponsor, leading up to the festival will be a series of events in the Gateway Arts District and around the DMV. Steel Pan and African Drumming lessons, and teaching Mende/ Temne (Sierra Leone) and Creole/Kreyol greetings African and Caribbean CookOff AfriCaribbean Dance Fitness Virtual Event Costume Making THE LAB | 19
In a bid to usher in climate change and digital transformation initiatives around the African Diaspora’s creative industries, the week-long festival will feature portable technology in music and the arts. Also, the outdoor venues will be solar-powered in natural coastal landscapes. There will also be the unveiling of a set of commemorative artworks from the District, Maryland and Virginia’s arts community to the residents of the city of Freetown. The festival will be a celebration of 60 years of Independence for Sierra Leone.
EMPRESS J ENTERTAINMENT H.O.L.T. -Healing Out Loud TV/ Theatre Productions a full service stage and TV production house that writes and produces stage plays, web series, industrial videos and more. Erica Joyner Publishing publishes original screenplays, stage plays, lyrics/music and now books. AfriCaribbean Festival a subsidiary of EJE whose mission is to bridge waters and borders through music and culture by bringing Soca music to Africa. THE LAB | 20
GATEWAY CDC CELEBRATES
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BY PAT THORNTON On March 19, 2022 Gateway CDC held its second virtual Women’s History Month program. With full participation of all Mayors representing the three municipalities the CDC serves, two premiere residents of our Media Arts Lab, and a community engagement mental health specialist, this year’s theme of Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope was brought to life by our guests. I had the pleasure of moderating the panel. Mayors Petrella Robinson, Rocio-Treminio Lopez and Celina Benitez discussed how they have dealt with the COVID-19 Pandemic, and introduced supportive programs that have evolved since the advent of COVID-19; Sherri Lumpkin discussed how her program, Ragbaby Exchange uses doll making to inspire participants to embrace inner love for themselves, and build self-esteem; Geeta Raj discussed Global Sleepover’s partnership with the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, to create a print and digital version of the Junior Ranger Book about the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (HART) in Auburn, New York; and Darlene Wood of DSW and Associates discussed the importance of addressing mental health concerns, and the need for communities of color to destigmatize counseling services and stop shaming those who seek counseling services. If viewers were expecting the usual “talking heads” pontificating and boasting about themselves, or repeating the usual comments you’ve heard repeatedly about living through this era, that is NOT what was delivered. THE LAB | 22
Viewers were able to hear the Mayors share their personal heart wrenching first-hand accounts of how they comported themselves and their programs to meet the new demands that came as a result of the pandemic. Mayor Treminio-Lopez’ shared an account of driving a truck all the way from a pantry in Baltimore to deliver food to her constituents, with the admission that she had never even driven a truck before that time. Mayor Robinson shared how she and Mayor Treminio-Lopez partnered with a Seafood Truck vendor, to provide free seafood to encourage their constituents to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. And Mayor Benitez shared that she hired a social worker to make house visits to help seniors traverse the complexities of options for Medicare, Medicare Supplement and other medical programs, because people are harboring in their homes alone. Following the panel discussion with the CDC Mayors and the advice from the social workers, Sherri Lumpkin and Geeta Raj took everyone on a journey that enabled the audience to experience doll making and history from totally new perspectives. This was a powerful impactful program. Our original intention was to provide “info”tainment, with the hope that everyone would leave the program with an understanding of what IS really important during this time – it’s all about showing compassion, love, and understanding. For so many people the consequences of COVID-19 are still upon them, and it’s hard to ask for help in a society that so often overlooks those who have fallen. This writer fervently hopes that viewers were inspired to listen more, say less, and remember to extend a hand to someone who is in need, because we can all remember the spiritual saying, “There but for the Grace of God go I.”
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