B.L.A.C. FEST 2026
B.L.A.C. Fest — Black Legacy of Arts and Culture Festival, is a Black History Month weekend celebration (Feb 20–22, 2026) honoring the creativity, history, and cultural impact of Black artistry. This festival is presented by The Pop-up Project in collaboration with Providence Newson Dance Company and SOBI.
This year’s theme, Framework, looks at the structures that shape Black creativity, identity, liberation and how art can challenge what limits us and build what comes next.
SOBI Festival Events :
ArtCHATT: Framework
ArtCHATT is a SOBI event series highlighting the work of local and regional artists, while fostering conversations.
Art CHATT: Framework, will explore the structures that influence creative identity through art and live dialogue with a panel of local Black artists and cultural leaders.
The evening will unfold as a multi-layered experience featuring:
A welcoming mixer at The Reading Room
Live music throughout the evening
A curated gallery showcasing local visual artists
A preview performance by Providence Newson Dance Co.
A live panel discussion with local artists and community leaders, followed by an audience Q&A
Join us for an immersive night of art, conversation, and community, where creative frameworks are examined, challenged, and celebrated together.
Friday, February 20
7:30–10:00 PM
Studio34 | 3214 Brainerd Road
Frame By Frame: Short Films Screening
Frame by Frame is a short film screening highlighting the work of local Black filmmakers. Each short offers a different lens exploring the realities of black life, creativity, and identity.
The evening begins with a mixer in The Reading Room, creating space for connection between artists, filmmakers, and attendees. Following the screening, audiences are invited to stay for a filmmaker talkback, offering deeper insight into the creative process, themes, and stories behind the films.
Friday, February 22
6–8:00 PM
Studio34 | 3214 Brainerd Road
PRICING INFO
Early Bird and Full Festival Experience: $60
SOBI Events only (ArtCHATT and Frame by Frame): $35
Meet Our Team
Tarrisha Hicks
Founder of SOBI
Co-Director of B.L.A.C. Fest
Tarrisha “Reese” Hicks is a Chattanooga native, multifaceted creative, and the engine behind SOBI. With a background in Multimedia Journalism and Dance Education, she uses the art of storytelling to curate impactful experiences.
Her journey has fueled a passion for creating spaces where art, media, and community intersect. Through SOBI and beyond, she is dedicated to uplifting creatives and helping shape Chattanooga’s cultural landscape.
Taylor Maddox
Collaborating Artist
Director of Frame by Frame
Graduating in 2020 with a BFA in Graphic Design meant facing the daunting challenge of job hunting during a time when the world was in lockdown—isolated and in a state of chaos.
That winter, borrowing a friend's camera and creating a small collection of sweaters, Taylor took to the streets to produce a promotional video. It was during that process that she fell in love with filmmaking.
Since then, life has blessed Maddox with numerous opportunities, including sitting on councils of start-up businesses, launching several companies of her own, participating in and hosting fashion shows, winning awards for her fashion creation RUSHOUR, speaking as an honored guest at fashion panels, and serving as Creative Director for Spunk Magazine, Art Director for Sobi Connect, and Chief Creative Officer for Sii, among many other notable achievements.
Ultimatley fashion opened the door to the world of film. Driven by passion and creativity, Taylor continues to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in filmmaking. With a deep commitment to storytelling and blending visual artistry with human experience, she is determined to leave an indelible mark on the industry. Forging ahead, Taylor remains focused on turning bold ideas into unforgettable realities.