Local band VELVET GRÜEVE at last quarter’s showcase on March 28. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

This year’s second rendition of the Germantown Art and Sound Creative Kickback and Art Show (GAS) is approaching and is back bigger than before, as it continues to uplift diverse groups of artists while immersing visitors into a wide-ranging visual and audio experience.

The free, quarterly event will be held on Friday, June 27, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Our House Culture Center.

“Each show we try to have a mix of different mediums represented; it’s something we put a lot of time, energy, and love into, and I think you definitely feel that when you’re at the show,” said co-organizer Vanessa Chandler. “This is our biggest show of the year; we try to make the summer show as big and as exciting as possible.”

The show will feature nine visual artists displaying their vibrant work and hanging pieces throughout the venue. This is an increase from the six artist selection in the March showcase, which has been enabled by the use of a larger space at the location.

Throughout the evening, visual art will mostly be featured, including ink-based art, abstract work, oil painting, clothing design, graphic design, poetry, and collage art.

There will also be complimentary red and white wine for adult attendees, a Mexican food truck, music mixes from DJ Heat__Wav, and live music from local band VELVET GRÜVE. All ages are welcome.

Midway through the event, Chandler will make an announcement that discusses the nature of the event and will give each of the artists a chance to take the floor to talk about what they’re presenting.

“It’s an opportunity for everybody in the room to hear from each of the artists, and a good opportunity for people to hype them up, celebrate them, give a round of applause, and learn more about their practice,” Chandler said.

Graphic design, poetry, and abstract artist Jordan Plain is entering the show for the first time after showcasing his work at different events for over a decade, and mentioned how “if you’re doing something new, you have to have confidence in what you’re showing.”

“I mix digital, abstract, and poetry to create feelings; my big thing is converting feeling into color and then also feeling into verse, and then combining the two,” Plain said. “[At the show] we’re going to see posters that’ll definitely have messages on them. I want you to take your own meaning out of it.”

At the show, he’ll have several posters on display that reflect his style of combining different genres, and, like some other artists, he’ll also have pieces for sale.

“I want to get it in people’s homes and get in people’s faces,” Plain said. “I want to meet people where they are, and I don’t want them to have to find me online to discover Jordan Plain.”

When it comes to growing closer to an artistic community, local events like GAS hit home for Plain more than some of the larger events that he has partaken in. 

“These events give me connections to a community that may not be thought about when I’m doing a larger gallery or a museum,” Plain said. “These events are more fun because I see people that look like me, come from the same places, have similar experiences… I get to say hi to people I feel familiar with.”

Another artist one can expect to see at the showcase is Tiggy, who has experience as a painter, sculptor, musician, photographer, and digital artist. They will have 3D rendered digital works on display, which they hope will also find their way onto the walls of people’s homes.

“I’ve always imagined my purpose being to make a universe of art that doubles as home decor,” Tiggy said. “I want to challenge people’s idea of what is fit for decorating a home and to improve upon the comfort that lacks within certain decor. Attendees can expect to see colorful pieces that have only been displayed within my home.”

Now, with the GAS platform, Tiggy has the opportunity to continue sharing these pieces while being among other creators who are unique in their own ways. At next Friday’s showcase, they will premiere both seen and brand-new works.

“It means a lot to me to continue working with spaces that want to highlight a wide range of talents. Knowing that there is an audience interested in seeing and conversing about art in one room is reassuring and motivating for many,” Tiggy said.

Chandler emphasized that “giving artists these kinds of space gives them a boost of confidence and affirms them in their practice… It affirms them that their work is meaningful, that their work matters, and that their work is deeply valued by the community.”

The GAS team makes a conscious effort to promote each artist by securing press opportunities and blasting their work and presence through social media. They aim to create a thoughtfully designed experience for them.

“We’re not just shoving a bunch of artists in a room, collecting tickets at the door, and then sending everybody home at the end of the night. You’re supported,” Chandler said.

After next Friday’s GAS, the next show will be held in September.

“There’s a lot that artists have to deal with and work through in order to get their work out there in the world,” Chandler said. “So the fact that they are trusting us to deliver an experience for them is not only fun and enjoyable, but we hope that they’re learning and growing as a result of participating in our show.”

To register for next Friday’s show, view more details about what to expect, and read about the participating artists, visit the GAS Eventbrite page.

As the event is free to attend, registration is required beforehand, and a $10 donation is encouraged by the organizers.