Diasporal Rhythms

The most memorable collections tell you something about the person who lives with them.

In his latest Architectural Digest feature, Usher opens the doors to an Atlanta home where contemporary art, design, and family history exist in conversation. From works by Gordon Parks, Rashid Johnson, Lauren Halsey, and Anthony James to his children’s artwork and personal mementos, every room reflects a collection built with intention rather than trend.

For collectors, it’s a reminder that the most compelling spaces don’t just showcase great art, they tell a story about the people who call them home.

What piece in your home tells your story?

5 Black Art Exhibitions Worth Your Time This Summer

If you’re looking for a reason to step into a gallery this month, Chicago has no shortage of thoughtful exhibitions and conversations on view. Here are five we’re recommending.

Mothership by George Clinton
MARIANE IBRAHIM
July 25 – September 5

Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry open- Through September 7

This Could Be the Permanent Rebellion
Curated by Imani Harmon
Blanc
August 7 – September 12

10 Portraits Opening Reception
by Anthony Olusina
Harper Court Breezeway
August 6

quiet as it’s kept
Featuring Carissa Pickney and Harlem West
Elastic Arts
August 8

Whether you’re expanding your collection, supporting artists, or simply spending an afternoon with great work, these are a few exhibitions and cultural presentations worth adding to your calendar.

Save this guide, share it with your gallery circle, and let us know what else is on your radar this summer.

From the DR Archives: PERSPECTIVE

In 2023, we celebrated 20 years of Diasporal Rhythms by bringing a piece of our collective history to Navy Pier

PERSPECTIVE brought together more than 55 works of contemporary Black art, drawn from the collections of Diasporal Rhythms members and presented to the public in one of Chicago’s most recognizable cultural spaces.

Curated by Raymond A. Thomas, the exhibition featured works by Paul Branton, Candace Hunter, Preston Jackson, Max Sansing, Woodrow Nash, Joyce Owens, George Crump and more.

For us, the significance went beyond the exhibition itself. For two decades, our members had been collecting, supporting and building relationships with artists across the African Diaspora. PERSPECTIVE gave us an opportunity to share a piece of that story with Chicago.

A look back at one of the moments that reminds us why we collect, why we gather and why access to Black art matters.

And we’re still building.If you’re interested in collecting Black art and becoming part of our community of collectors, learn more about Diasporal Rhythms membership at diasporalrhythms.org.

Some of the best conversations around Black art don’t happen by chance. They happen in galleries, artist studios, around dinner tables, and in rooms where curiosity brings people together.

For more than 20 years, Diasporal Rhythms has created those spaces—connecting collectors, creatives, and cultural curators through shared experiences and a commitment to championing contemporary Black art across the diaspora.

If you’re looking to deepen your connection to art and the community surrounding it, we’d love to welcome you.

Membership applications are now open.

Apply at diasporalrhythms.org
Link in bio.

More than an auction!

A Natural Thought is an extension of Diasporal Rhythms’ commitment to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the art of the African Diaspora.

Featuring works from the private collections of our members, A Natural Thought creates an opportunity for collectors at every stage to discover original artwork, support Black artists, and invest in the continued growth of our cultural ecosystem.

Whether you’re acquiring your first piece or adding to an established collection, we invite you to experience an afternoon where art, education, and community come together.

Sunday, October 25, 2026
3:00–6:00 PM
Logan Center for the Arts Penthouse

Swipe through to learn more about the auction experience.

Interested in becoming a Diasporal Rhythms member? Membership connects you to exclusive events, artist studio visits, private collection tours, and a community of collectors and cultural leaders committed to supporting the arts of the African Diaspora.

Learn more and reserve your seat at diasporalrhythms.org

ChicagoArt ContemporaryBlackArt SupportBlackArt CollectBlackArt

From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85

We recently spent the afternoon at Blanc for From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85, a group exhibition bringing together contemporary artists to reflect on the enduring legacy of Emmett Till through memory, history, and imagination.

What stayed with us most wasn’t just the work on the walls, it was hearing directly from the artists.

One question lingered long after the conversation ended:

One question stayed with us: What does it look like to reclaim a symbol of oppression?

Artist Paul Branton offers one answer by reimagining the cotton gin as an oversized playground. A symbol historically tied to exploitation is transformed into a space of childhood wonder, reminding us that art can preserve history while making room for joy, possibility, and new ways of seeing.

That thread carried throughout the artist talk. One artist reflected on the connection between Emmett Till’s story and the experiences of Black boys growing up on Chicago’s South Side. Another traveled to Mississippi to collect soil that became part of their work, grounding memory in place. Another drew from the words of Gil Scott-Heron, using colorful toy soldiers to explore peace, conflict, and our shared responsibility to imagine something better.

Perhaps the most memorable reflection of the afternoon was this: before we heard the word “no,” many of us believed we could do anything. It was a reminder that imagination isn’t separate from resilience—it can be one of its greatest expressions.

If you’re looking for an exhibition that invites reflection long after you leave the gallery, add From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85 to your list. The exhibition remains on view at Blanc Gallery through July 25.

ContemporaryArt ArtExhibition SupportBlackArt

Art Events For The Culture is back with the artists, galleries, and experiences to keep on your radar throughout July.

Swipe through for this month’s lineup and save the dates.

July 9
The Art of Blackness Season 13: Closing Frame: A Legacy in Color The Art Of Blackness

What’s Good: A Birthday Block Party for The Culture Recycled Modern +

July 10
Black.Opening Reception
Nyia Dela Sissac x Hoste Pilsen

July 12
SundayBrowsing SimpleWednesday💿

July 14
Tacos + Art + Caviar = Oh!
Caviar Dream x Erin Kaya International Abstract Artist

July 17
Derrick Burnett Solo Exhibition: For the Culture
Andre Guichard

Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour Faye Edwards

Through July 25
From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85
Blanc

July 18
Silver Room Sound System Block Party
The Silver Room Block Party

July 31
Art Battle Chicago Art Battle Art Battle Chicago

Stay connected to the spaces, artists, and experiences shaping Chicago’s Black art community.

fortheculture

Diasporal Rhythms presents: A Natural Thought

Save the date for the Diasporal Rhythms Collectors’ Art Auction on Sunday, October 25 and discover original works from talented Black artists across painting, photography, sculpture, collage, prints, and more.

Whether you’re starting your collection or searching for your next statement piece, this is your opportunity to acquire exceptional artwork while supporting the artists and the cultural institutions that champion them.

Bid in person or online
Purchase original works
Connect with fellow collectors

Every bid helps strengthen the ecosystem supporting Black visual artists and advances Diasporal Rhythms’ mission to collect, promote, and preserve the art of the African Diaspora.

Reserve your seat at diasporalrhythms.org and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of art, culture, and community.

What happens when artists, collectors, and cultural leaders gather in one room?

Meaningful conversations. New perspectives. Lasting connections. And a shared commitment to preserving and investing in the legacy of Black art.

This past Saturday, Art Smart brought together a dynamic community for an afternoon exploring the business of art through conversations on ownership, equity, collecting, and cultural stewardship. It was a powerful reminder that the value of art extends far beyond the canvas.

A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding panelists:
• Oscar Bedolla
• Sonia D. Spencer
• Paul Branton
• Makeba Kedem-DuBose
• Tony Smith

Your insights, expertise, and generosity made this conversation one to remember.

To everyone who joined us at the University of Chicago, thank you for spending your Saturday with us. Your curiosity, thoughtful questions, and engagement are what continue to make the Diasporal Rhythms community so special.

A special thank you to Hermanas Amigas Tequila , the Black woman-owned tequila brand founded by Chicago entrepreneur Toya Watts, for treating our guests to a curated tasting experience and helping make the afternoon even more memorable.

Inspired by conversations like these? Become a Diasporal Rhythms member and gain access to exclusive artist talks, private studio visits, curated cultural experiences, and a vibrant community passionate about the arts of the African Diaspora.

Follow Diasporal Rhythms and visit our website to learn more about membership and be the first to hear about upcoming events and experiences.

Black art carries memory, history, authorship, and value…but too often, the deeper questions around ownership, collecting, and cultural stewardship are left out of the conversation.

Ahead of Art Smart this Saturday, Diasporal Rhythms is posing a few of the questions worth sitting with.

If you’ve ever wondered how value is assigned, how legacy is preserved, or what it means to collect Black art with intention, this conversation is for you.

Join Diasporal Rhythms for Art Smart: The Business of African American Art

Saturday, June 27 at 1pm
The Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago: 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago

Complimentary admission. RSVP via the link in bio.