LYNN — Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth artists gathered in celebration of art and hip- hop culture at the Final Fridays: Art in the Park Friday night at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Park and Lynn Museum/LynnArts Park.
The event was presented by Lynn Forward/Adelante Lynn, in collaboration with the Lynn Hip Hop Wall of Fame, and featured music, activities, and several local vendors. It also celebrated the completion of the Lynn Forward/Adelante Lynn mural project with Raw Art Work, a project funded in part by a grant from the Essex National Heritage Commission.
The highlight of the night was the open-mic session, which featured performers singing songs and others reciting poetry they had written.
Chairman of Lynn Hip Hop Wall of Fame, Edwin Cabrera said he was a strong supporter of the event.
“I’m proud of the culture we’ve developed here, we have something beautiful,” he said.
Treasurer Chris Martin greeted people as they passed by.
“By collaborating with LynnArts, they have always been supportive of us and we do the same for them,” Martin said.
The mural features a tree decorated with keys, birds, branches, and pomegranates. Several high school students ranging from sophomores to seniors were in attendance.
“The mural represents women’s autonomy and their right to liberty and freedom,” said Hibi Carrillo of Lynn.
Entrepreneurship was also on display, with several local vendors selling handmade items.
Painter Bradley Nicosia started a business designing hoodies. After about a year he expanded into designing art prints. Friday, he was busy designing a shirt at his booth.
Mother and daughter team, Marsha Barrett and Jah’Nyah Spencer promoted their cosmetic and personal care products at their MAD KULTCHA, LLC booth.
“Shoutout to my mom and Mad Kultcha, you already know, entrepreneurship,” said Spencer.
Magella Cantara can be reached at [email protected].
