Ducasse and Jones:
In 2016 performing artist Mal Jones and visual artist Overstreet Ducasse were asked by Tony Allegretti, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, to participate in the cultural exchange pilot program in Bristol, U.K.
“Tony has always been supportive,” says Ducasse, and Jones agrees. “Choosing the artists had a lot to do with Bristol and the vibe of the city. They just elected their first black mayor who is interested in social issues in Bristol but is also a student of social justice, equity, and inclusion in the US as well. I can't deny that the LIFT show at the Cummer helped me get comfortable with the two artists together,” says Allegretti.
It was the first time they had been in the UK. “We are like-minded individuals and we have respect for each other. I was a fan of his artwork before I knew him,” says Jones. …show more content…
Most of Ducasse’s recent work is mixed media on wood. “The art budget wouldn’t permit me to ship all those wooden pieces,” says Ducasse. So Ducasse gathered everything he could had on canvas by contacting collectors that owned his pieces. Photographer Doug Eng took photos of some of the work and “reproduced them on canvas and he did such a phenomenal job,” says Ducasse. “In Bristol, they provided me a residency at Spike Island (spikeisland.org.uk), which is very similar to CoRK, but like on a million-dollar budget. “
Mal Jones did his hip-hop piece “Lyricist Live” alongside the exhibition. “I was rapping, just setting the ambiance for Overstreet’s pop up gallery,” says Jones. The next day they presented at Burgess Salmon, the largest law firm in Bristol. “We performed on the rooftop. I came to present a video piece I put together for my speak and then did my Shakespeare [Lives] piece,” says Jones. “The people there were so nice and so receptive. Mal’s performance was spectacular, and everybody loved it. It was a beautiful day,” says
In 2016 performing artist Mal Jones and visual artist Overstreet Ducasse were asked by Tony Allegretti, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, to participate in the cultural exchange pilot program in Bristol, U.K.
“Tony has always been supportive,” says Ducasse, and Jones agrees. “Choosing the artists had a lot to do with Bristol and the vibe of the city. They just elected their first black mayor who is interested in social issues in Bristol but is also a student of social justice, equity, and inclusion in the US as well. I can't deny that the LIFT show at the Cummer helped me get comfortable with the two artists together,” says Allegretti.
It was the first time they had been in the UK. “We are like-minded individuals and we have respect for each other. I was a fan of his artwork before I knew him,” says Jones. …show more content…
Most of Ducasse’s recent work is mixed media on wood. “The art budget wouldn’t permit me to ship all those wooden pieces,” says Ducasse. So Ducasse gathered everything he could had on canvas by contacting collectors that owned his pieces. Photographer Doug Eng took photos of some of the work and “reproduced them on canvas and he did such a phenomenal job,” says Ducasse. “In Bristol, they provided me a residency at Spike Island (spikeisland.org.uk), which is very similar to CoRK, but like on a million-dollar budget. “
Mal Jones did his hip-hop piece “Lyricist Live” alongside the exhibition. “I was rapping, just setting the ambiance for Overstreet’s pop up gallery,” says Jones. The next day they presented at Burgess Salmon, the largest law firm in Bristol. “We performed on the rooftop. I came to present a video piece I put together for my speak and then did my Shakespeare [Lives] piece,” says Jones. “The people there were so nice and so receptive. Mal’s performance was spectacular, and everybody loved it. It was a beautiful day,” says