In collaboration with Opera Philadelphia, we present A Classically Black Arts Salon: Beauty Found in the Cracks.
We are delighted to invite you to an elegant evening of art, music, and conversation at A Classically Black Arts Salon: Beauty Found in the Cracks — an experience at the intersection of visual art, operatic voices, and Afro-diasporic cultural reclamation. Guests will enjoy passed appetizers alongside a curated selection of wine and cocktails featuring exceptional Black-owned wines and spirits.
VIP tickets are priced at $150, and general admission tickets are $100.
About the Venue
Honeysuckle is more than a restaurant; it is a cultural project rooted in the values of ancestry, nourishment, and reclamation. Founded by chefs Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude‑Tate, the space is designed as a third-space of creativity where Black food traditions are elevated and reframed.
Located in North Broad area of Philadelphia, Honeysuckle offers a refined setting that melds intimate dining with a living-room, cultural-lab atmosphere—making it the perfect backdrop for our salon’s conversation around art, identity and resilience.
Featured Artists: Lavett Ballard & susan Ragland
We are honored to exhibit the work of visual artist, art historian, curator and author Lavett Ballard. She holds a dual B.A. in Studio Art & Art History (minor in Museum Studies) from Rutgers and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia.
Her art—often mixed media collages on reclaimed wood fences—is a powerful visual narrative of people of African descent. She has been commissioned for covers for Time magazine (March 2020 & February 2023), and her work is held in public and private institutional collections.
At this salon, her recent body of work situates itself beautifully within the theme of “Beauty Found in the Cracks,” acknowledging both rupture and resilience within histories and visual identity.
We are also proud to showcase the work of Susan Ragland, a Philadelphia-based African-American folk artist whose creative voice was shaped in the 1970s—dancing to funk music and absorbing the vibrant legacy of Harlem Renaissance masters. Drawing from these influences and her own lived experience, Ragland’s work explores the humanity of Black subjects as they move through familiar, comforting spaces. Her paintings are marked by humor, stylized forms, intentional imprecision, and explosive color, creating a universe alive with motion and spirit. By using bold hues to elevate the everyday, she invites viewers to see the mundane as majestic—because, in her words, “we bring the funk.”
** All artwork is for sale
Special Performances by Operatic Voices
Audiences can anticipate a multifaceted and deeply resonant musical experience as baritone Brian Major and soprano Michelle Johnson take to the stage alongside renowned collaborative pianist Elizabeth G. Hill. Johnson’s soaring, velvety soprano—praised for its captivating richness—beautifully complements Major’s commanding, resonant baritone to create unforgettable musical moments. Hill, a distinguished pianist and advocate for contemporary and culturally rooted chamber music, bridges performance and purpose, offering sophisticated accompaniment and curatorial insight. Together, these three artists guide listeners through stories of passion, resilience, and beauty, offering an intimate showcase of world-class artistry that spans voice and piano, tradition and innovation.
Event Flow
6:00pm: VIP TICKETS ONLY Artist Reception & Exhibit Walk-through with Lavett Ballard & Ashley James
6:30pm: Arrival & Welcome Reception (cocktails/ hors d’oeuvres)
Live Performances by Michelle Johnson & Brian Major
Closing remarks & mingling
Why Attend
This salon is a gathering of minds and senses—where culinary artistry, visual storytelling, and operatic excellence converge. It invites you to reflect on how beauty emerges from the lines of history, the edges of identity, and the overlooked crevices of culture. Whether you are an art aficionado, a music lover, or simply drawn to spaces where Black creativity and heritage are centered and celebrated, this evening promises to be meaningful, intimate, and unforgettable.
Your participation contributes to the continued growth of the Classically Black Arts Foundation, including future scholarships and artist residency opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of profound artistry, soulful voice, and inspired conversation.
OUR PARTNER
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