EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE due to rising concerns around COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

Union Hall is teaming up with Flex Infinity and Somm Says for an evening of art & wine, centered on Black and Brown womxn. Join us for an intimate wine tasting event, where Sommelier Susan Fredson-Cole walks guests through wine pairings like you've never seen before! Wine courtesy of the McBride Sisters Winery will be paired with artwork from local artist Rochelle Johnson, with remarks from the artist herself.

Guests will also be introduced to Somm Says, a new app and wine tasting game that connects wine lovers, wine professionals, and wine businesses.

$25/TICKET ON EVENTBRITE - $30/TICKET AT THE DOOR

Rochelle Johnson

I grew up in Park Hill, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city of Denver. Throughout my life, I have been a constant observer of the interactions between different sorts of people. Watching the ways that people react and relate to one another, both good and bad, has long been a curiosity of mine and that has inspired my current painting series, documenting the life and spirit of urban people.

My neighborhood is currently undergoing a process of gentrification. Gentrification has now become a national thing. Neighborhoods that once were the keepers of the culture are experiencing a takeover, radically shifting from one culture to another and along with socioeconomic displacement the inner city looks more mixed than ever before. My paintings depict day-to-day life in the city, while exploring how each person’s identity influences how they see the humanity and value of people outside their group. As a black woman artist, the black narrative has been the focus of my paintings, but I can’t overlook new cultural interactions at play in the community around me. The gentrification in my neighborhood has forced me to confront its negative effects, such as the displacement of whole communities of long-time residents. Will urban life now be considered a luxury for elites only, or can the city become an intersection where diverse groups learn to come together, and can thrive together? As I observe these interactions, I capture what is important to me: unity.

My paintings largely reflect what I see in my community on a positive level. I feel too much negativity gets out into the world. I focus on portraits placed in an environment where people are doing what comes naturally to them. I capture the energy and emotion of my subject matter. I believe if I paint an interaction of unusual encounters people will become familiar with those interactions and possibly change the norm-much like the lone black figure in classical paintings that people tend to overlook. My painting practice focuses on a narrative that is interactive in a way that singles out the sitter and draws curiosity. The question is can we live together?

Artist Statement

BLUE WORLD

I have spent my life confronting an image in the mirror of a black female body. The black female body is the sort of body that has endured criticism and marginalization throughout history, but it is a body that sends forth a challenge to embrace its beauty, its history, and its culture. As both an artist and a woman of color, I’ve longed to see the beauty that’s all around me represented in art but find that cultural beauty norms remain the norms in painting, too.

In this series of work, I have chosen blue as an uplifting color. Blue represents loyalty, strength, wisdom, and trust—the best parts of our shared humanity. But blue can be neutral, too. Substituting the skin color makes way for a visual dialog free of preconception and a chance to see the beauty of form and presence without bias. Blue creates space to see and feel without the baggage and the shame of our histories still being navigated. Blue creates space for us all.

About Flex Infinity

Flex Infinity was started in 2020, as a platform by and for black and brown womxn. With each dollar you empower some of the most disenfranchised people in the world, and can shop freely knowing your dollar will circulate in the community that will stand with you and for you. Flex-in is a space for all black womxn to thrive, regardless of religion, gender identity, sexuality.

Accessibility

We value your time with us. If you have specific needs or requirements that would make your experience more comfortable at Union Hall please reach out to us at info@unionhalldenver.org with accommodation requests.

Union Hall is located inside the first floor of The Coloradan in downtown Denver at 1750 Wewatta Street, Suite 144. There are two entrances to the building equipped with power assist doors and all public areas are wheelchair accessible. Street parking is available along Wewatta Street. Paid public parking is located in the building garage on the corner of Wewatta & 18th Street with wheelchair accessible spaces. Union Hall is located directly next to Union Station, providing access to a variety of public transportation options including the bus, light rail, train, and ride shares.

Union Hall's space will be moderately lit and have music playing at a volume that will not drown conversation. The sound element will be playing at a low volume. You will be surrounded by artwork on display from the exhibition Perception Shift. A preview of the exhibition will be available soon.

If you have trouble locating us on the day of the event call us at (720) 927-4033.