LYNN – When Tizauni Boyles and My’Kel McMillen were teammates on English High’s 2011 champion basketball squad, little did they realize that seven years later they’d be teaming up on a unique art exhibition that connects creative talent and social justice.
Boyles, a writer/poet, is the founder and creative director of SIIR, an art collective and creative service network. McMillen is the founder of Mack’s Soles, a nonprofit that collects wearable footwear and gently-worn clothing and distributes them to impoverished youth and adults and families that are homeless or in need.
Together, they will present “Art of the Mack,” an exhibition featuring the work of young painters, illustrators, shoe designers, writers and photographers. An opening reception will take place in LynnArts’ main gallery Saturday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring donations of footwear, clothing, jackets and essential items, which will in turn be distributed by Mack’s Soles to those in need.
The show, which received a grant from the Mass Cultural Council and the Lynn Cultural Council, will continue through March 10.
“SIIR stands for Shaping Ideas Into Reality,” said Boyles. “Part of our mission is to use art to bring people together. Seeing what My’Kel has accomplished inspired me. Yes, the show will give our artists some exposure and, hopefully, sales, but its focus is around the items he collects and distributes to those in need.”
Boyles added that he draws inspiration from his dad, Carl, a poetic writer (Linear Reactions: A Soldier’s Poetic Tour, Guantanamo to Iraq) who
spent more than eight years in the Army National Guard and Reserve and served nearly four years of deployments. “I’ve always written poetry,” said Tizauni Boyles, “but I really got more serious about it after I graduated from Western New England University in Springfield in 2016.”
McMillen, of Jamaica Plain, said he also draws inspiration from his father, Charles, who passed away in 2015. “My dad was ‘Mack,’ and he was a giving person. He always went out of his way to help people, especially those less fortunate. I saw the impact my dad had on families, on students, on young people. When he died, many young people told me my father helped them establish a strong foundation for them to succeed.”
My’Kel is following in his dad’s footsteps. His organization’s byword is “To understand a person’s life, you’ll have to understand their journey.”
“I ask everyone who has clothing not valuable to them anymore to bring it to our reception on Saturday. It may be valuable to someone else. Footwear, socks, coats … it will all be donated to people who need help.” McMillen said he also wants to donate clothing to those persons left homeless by last month’s Broad Street house fire.
Annette Sykes, artist and chair of LynnArts’ Curatorial Committee, said she and Haley Sullivan, operations coordinator, are excited about “Art of the Mack,” partly because it will likely attract a younger crowd than usually attends LynnArts gallery openings.
Sykes holds up a pair of sneakers decorated by painter Nick Pinciaro. “Look at this, this bridges the gap between art and design. Lynn has a rich history of shoemaking, and millennials’ culture is heavy on sneakers and footwear. Nick has bought sneakers, painted them, and brought them back to the store, saying ‘Here, sell this for more.’
“He’s here for the reception. I think I’ll bring a pair of my sneakers and have him turn them into art.”
“Art of the Mack,” at LynnArts, 25 Exchange St., through March 10. Opening reception, tomorrow, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Clothing donations may be made tomorrow, Feb. 9-10, and Feb. 16-17. For more information on Mack’s Soles, go to mackssoles.com. For more information on SIIR (Shaping Ideas Into Reality), go to siirart.com.
