The 119 Euclid Artwalk features 10 artists, with the theme of “Voices of the Heroes,” “highlighting how Black students at Syracuse and within the Syracuse community are reclaiming narratives and becoming the hero of their own stories,” says Bryanna Hull ’22, who helped organize the event.
Illustration major Bryanna Hull ’22 wants to give Black student artists a platform to showcase their important work—and to give the campus community a chance to discover those artists and start conversations around their artwork.
Her efforts led to the 119 Euclid Artwalk, an exhibition of artwork at 119 Euclid Ave., which runs through Saturday, Feb. 19. Dedicated to celebrating the Black student experience, 119 Euclid is a welcoming space for the campus community, especially Black students and those interested in Black history and culture, to relax, share and learn.
Bryanna Hull
The 119 Euclid Artwalk features 10 artists, with the theme of “Voices of the Heroes,” “highlighting how Black students at Syracuse and within the Syracuse community are reclaiming narratives and becoming the hero of their own stories,” Hull says.
Hull first proposed the idea of an art show in October to Cornelia Stokes, office coordinator at 119 Euclid, which is overseen by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The first art show was held in October.
“After that first show, I explained to Cornelia how I want the art shows to represent and give platforms to people of color on campus to be held every semester,” says Hull, who assists with the visual curation at 119 Euclid. “I had the idea of having the next one in February in celebration of Black History Month.”
The artwalk event, which features artists both from the University and from the Syracuse area, is intended to represent Black artists who often don’t get the recognition they deserve, Hull says.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore and examine the varied stories of each particular artist through the artists’ work.
“What you can expect is people’s stories being told, their voices being heard, them being seen. Each artwork represents them and their stories or what they have experienced,” Hull says. “I want people to be able to digest the stories being told and start a conversation, feel the emotions put into the art and see how each artist expressed their story.”
The 119 Euclid Artwalk runs through Saturday, Feb. 19.
One of Hull’s art pieces, “The Black Print,” is on display during the exhibition. The artwork “is about Black people being the blueprint for everything,” Hull explains.
Hull’s own story as an illustrator began when she was around 6 or 7 years old.
“I would create art and illustrate my own books and calendars for fun,” she says. “When I reached high school and had to decide what programs I was looking to go to college for, I knew it was art I wanted to do but didn’t know specifically what it was called that I was doing.”
Her art teachers directed her into illustration, which reflected Hull’s skills and talents.
Hull has worked with multiple mediums, such as cast/mold making; oil and acrylic paint; pen and ink; pencil and digital, but most of her work is done digitally through Procreate and Adobe applications.
“My inspiration mainly stems from wanting to represent myself and what my brand is, which is identity and speaking on social injustices and activism,” Hull says. “A lot of my work is based on who I am and where my family comes from, along with things I’ve experienced or seen.”
“The Black Print,” by Bryanna Hull, is part of the 119 Euclid Artwalk.
Her work has become stronger through the close-knit experiences she shares with the students and faculty within the illustration program in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
“There is a lot of one-on-one time with the professors, and that’s what I value the most because they know me personally and what I like, how I draw, etc., which helps them help me improve my skills,” says Hull, who is also involved with campus groups Renegade Magazine, Mixtape Magazine and fullCIRCLE, a mentoring group for people of color. “Not only that but the group critiques from classmates that we have—the professors really push for feedback from other classmates as well as staying connected with one another.”
Her journey at Syracuse continues after she graduates, as she will pursue a master’s degree in the multimedia, photography and design program in the Newhouse School.
“I eventually want to work in the editorial illustration field with magazine companies such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan, etc.,” Hull says.
She will also continue to elevate her work on a personal level to let others connect with her work. “I plan to fully invest in my business, Arts by Bry, and sell my work,” she says.
The 119 Euclid Artwalk runs through Saturday, Feb. 19.
