BLAC FEST

Black Legacy of Arts and Culture Festival

Our Mission

Black Legacy of Arts and Culture Festival (BLAC Fest) is a Black History Month weekend celebration honoring the creativity, history, and cultural impact of Black artistry.

Our mission is to invest in Black artists, create opportunities for visibility, and inspire the next generation by making arts and culture more accessible within our local community.

BLAC Fest is presented by The Pop-up Project in collaboration with Providence Newson Dance Company and SOBI Connect.

BLAC FEST 2026

Our 2026 inaugural year, marked the beginning of a new cultural tradition rooted in celebrating Black artistry and legacy.

This year’s theme, Framework, explored the structures that shape Black identity and how art can challenge what limits us while building what comes next.

This theme came to life through three multidisciplinary events: Art CHATT, a visual art experience and community conversation; a dance showcase presented by PROVIDENCE Newson Dance Company; and a short film festival highlighting powerful Black storytelling on screen.

Art CHATT: Framework

Art CHATT is a SOBI event series that highlights the work of local and regional artists while creating space for meaningful conversation and connection.

Using the Framework theme, we explored the structures that shape creative identity, examining how culture, community, and lived experience influence artistic expression. Through visual art, live performance, and open dialogue, this edition centers the voices of local Black artists and cultural leaders.

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Beyond The Frame

Beyond the Frame featured a full-length performance by Providence Newson Dance Company under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director, Crystal Newson.

The work explored Crystal Newson’s artistic world through movement, influence, and interpretation, bringing Black visual art to life on stage through Afro-contemporary dance.

Drawing inspiration from Black visual artworks, each piece was studied, interpreted, and translated into movement, creating a layered performance that bridged visual art and dance.

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Frame by Frame

BLAC Film Festival is a short film festival produced by SOBI, highlighting the work of Black cinematic voices. Through a curated selection of films, the festival explores the depth and creativity of Black storytelling across genres, perspectives, and lived experiences.

This year’s screening, Frame by Frame, featured films that offered distinct lenses into Black identity, and expression through powerful storytelling and visual narrative.