Friday: We had a time

IlluminArts and Oolite Arts present a musical performance inspired by “Good Times,” a solo exhibition by resident artist Friday.

In “Good Times,” multi-disciplinary artist Chris Friday continues her exploration of the depiction of Black bodies and their presence/absence in contemporary space. Sourcing personal narratives, expressions of popular culture, and communal ritual, Friday utilizes drawing, video, illustration, sound, and ceramic sculpture to create installations that prompt the viewer to consider more expansive notions of blackness and where communities – known and unknown – are given a space to dialogue, reflect, and celebrate.

The musical performance “We had a time” will be a celebration that walks the line between all of the experiences reflected in Friday’s work, from the church to the club, and from joy to resolve in a program featuring the Florida Memorial University Ambassador Chorale, Metropolitan Opera soprano Aundi Marie Moore and pianist Kevin Wayne Bumpers.

About the Artist
Friday is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in Miami, FL. Incorporating a chalk and blackboard aesthetic, which plays on ideas of learning/teaching, Friday creates large scale works that critique popular culture and mass media for the recurring messages it presents to the public regarding Black bodies. Identifying problematic perspectives and their origins, questioning their legitimacy, and offering possible solutions is priority in her work.

Her portfolio features work in various mediums, including, works on paper, murals, video, projections, ceramics, illustration, photography and social practice/activism through commerce (Lucy St.).

Friday has a Masters of Fine Arts degree (2020) and a BFA in Drawing from New World School of the Arts (2015) where she is currently an adjunct professor.

About the Musician
American soprano Aundi Marie Moore was recently announced as the 2023 Honoree of the Sphinx Award for Excellence, an acknowledgement of her artistic achievements, her work ethic and her spirit of determination. She quickly established herself as an exceptional talent with her recent appearance as Strawberry Woman in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Porgy and Bess last season. Previous career highlights on the opera stage include Donna Elvira Don Giovanni at L’Opéra de Monte Carlo for her international operatic debut, Nedda Pagliacci at Sarasota Opera, Mimi La Boheme in Italy at the Amalfi Coast Festival, Serena Porgy and Bess at Atlanta Opera and at Virginia Opera, and the role of Odessa Clay in the world premiere of D. J. Sparr’s Approaching Ali commissioned by Washington National Opera.

A member of the Domingo-Cafritz Washington National Opera Young Artist Program, the artist appeared at WNO as Nella Gianni Schicchi, Fiordiligi Cosi fan tutte, Mother Hansel und Gretel, Wanda (c) Sophie’s Choice, Fifth Maid Elektra under the baton of Heinz Fricke,and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni under the baton of Placido Domingo. She participated in the Salzburg Music Festival Young Artist Program in 2008 and covered the roles of Donna Anna Don Giovanni, the title role in Rusalka and appeared as featured soloist in their Gala concert conducted by Ivor Bolton. Future engagements include the role of Mother Blue at Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with Grand Rapids Symphony, and she sings a new work with The Washington Chorus at Wolf Trap Choral Festival.