Where Do We Go From Here? A Conversation with artists Jonathan Kelley and Michael Gadlin
Channel: PlatteForum
Date: 2020-10-21

PlatteForum presents
Where Do We Go From Here? Featuring photographer/filmmaker Jonathan Kelley and interdisciplinary artist/tv host Michael Gadlin


- What does it mean to be an artist of color now?
- Are the new opportunities available to black artists genuine or only available on a limited time basis?
- How do artists of color navigate activism and art in the work and life?

Join us for a live conversation featuring community leaders and professional artist/media host Michael Gadlin and photographer/filmmaker Jonathan Kelley. Together they discuss their thoughts on these questions from their perspective as Black artists living in America during this tumultuous time. Mental health and the creative process are also discussed and Jonathan and Michael share some of their recent work. This conversation was moderated by Esther Hernandez, Creative Programming Manager at PlatteForum.

About the speakers 
Michael Gadlin is not only an established visual artist, he also boasts a career in television as a host of Rocky Mountain PBS’ Arts District, an award winning half-hour arts and culture series, featuring local and national artists in pursuit of their artistic passions. Michael began his art education at the Art Students League of Denver, followed by Metropolitan State University at Denver and New York’s prestigious Pratt Institute of Art and Design in Brooklyn. He received a residency at La Napoule Art Foundation in France. Gadlin keeps close pace with the fast-evolving arts environment. He sits on the board of directors at both Denver’s MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and PlatteForum. Michael has won numerous awards throughout his career as an artist. He was the youngest artist ever to win Best of Show at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Now his work sits in the Vance Kirkland Museum’s permanent collection among other city and government collections. He lives primarily in Denver, Colorado and works everywhere there’s an opportunity.
Learn more about his work at www.michaelgadlin.com
Follow his work on Instagram @contemporary_vision 

Jonathan Kelley is a filmmaker, photographer, creative writer, and community activist from Oakland, California. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Johnson and Wales Denver in 2003. Jonathan returned to Denver in 2016 as an advocate for art, culture and to be a contributor to the blossoming innovative and creative community in Denver. After graduating from the CBCA 2017 Leadership Arts Program he served on the board at PlatteForum. Jonathan is the Co-CEO and Founder of THINC-INC, along with his wife Letishia Kelley. THINC INC. stands for: Thinking Helps Inspire New Creations. The organization’s mission is to inspire thought in our children, adults, and communities. THINC INC. believes that using creative tools like art, music, theater, writing, and creative thinking generates new outside of the box ideas and sustainability solutions that will enrich our local, national, and global communities.
Learn more about their work at www.thinc-inc.com
Follow his work on Instagram @meet_thekelleys and @thinc.inc

About PlatteForum 
We are an award-winning and innovative art, youth-development, and artist-in-residence program founded in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2002, PlatteForum is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization which teams under-resourced youth (K-12) with professional artists in intensive, structured, and long-term creative learning environments. Youth work side by side with resident artists to collaboratively plan, produce, and exhibit a body of work in an environment in which artistic excellence is highly valued. Youth in PlatteForum’s programs delve into a variety of art forms, confronting challenges and obstacles and making life-changing discoveries about who they are, what they are capable of achieving, and where they belong in the world. 
Learn more at platteforum.org
Follow us on Instagram @platteforum
Donations welcome at coloradogives.org/platteforum