B.L.A.C. FEST 2026
B.L.A.C. Fest (Black Legacy of Arts and Culture Festival) is a Black History Month weekend celebration (Feb 20–22, 2026) honoring the creativity, history, and cultural impact of Black artistry. This festival is presented by The Pop-up Project in collaboration with Providence Newson Dance Company and SOBI.
This year’s theme, Framework, looks at the structures that shape Black creativity, identity, liberation and how art can challenge what limits us and build what comes next.
Expect a multi-disciplinary lineup: Art CHATT: Framework (reception, live jazz, featured visual art, Providence preview, and a panel + audience Q&A), Providence | Beyond the Frame (dance that translates Black visual art into movement, with talkbacks and mix-and-mingle), and Frame by Frame (short film screening + filmmaker Q&A).
B.L.A.C. Fest matters because it creates a visible, connected platform for Black artists across disciplines and invites Chattanooga to show up for the legacy and the future being shaped in real time.
Fri, Feb 20ChattanoogaBlack Legacy of Arts and Culture Festival is presented by The Pop-up Project in collaboration with Providence Newson Dance Company and SOBI.
CRYSTAL NEWSON
Founder and Artistic Director of Providence Newson Dance Company
Co-Director of B.L.A.C. Fest
Crystal Newson is a Chattanooga, Tennessee native and professional dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist. She is a graduate of the Center for Creative Arts (CCA), where her love for choreography began, and now proudly returns as an educator at her alma mater. Newson is the Founder and Artistic Director of Providence Newson Dance Company and previously served as the Founding Artistic Director of JUBA Dance Ensemble.
Known for her ability to tell stories through movement, Newson creates work influenced by a wide range of styles shaped by years of training and professional experience. She has worked with organizations such as The Pop-up Project, Chattanooga Ballet, McCallie School, Lee University, and Covenant College, contributing choreography and creative direction to performances across the county.
In musical theater, Newson has choreographed productions including Hello, Dolly!, Dreamgirls, Newsies, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and 9 to 5. She has also choreographed numerous showcases for The Choo Choo Kids of CCA, continuing her commitment to dance education and youth development.
Through her work as an artist and educator, Crystal Newson is dedicated to creating meaningful performance experiences while supporting the growth of the next generation of dancers.
PROVIDENCE NEWSON DANCE COMPANY
PROVIDENCE is an Afro- contemporary dance company, rooted in storytelling, artistic excellence, and intentional creation. The work blends movement, music, and visual framing to explore identity, faith, culture, and lived experience. PROVIDENCE is not just a company—it is a shared experience that values discipline, and purpose-driven artistry. Using movement qualities rooted in the African diaspora and expanded through modern, innovative movement structures.
This company is designed for dancers who are committed to growth, professionalism, and creating work that is both artistically excellent and culturally meaningful. We seek dancers who are versatile, open to exploration, and committed to moving with intention.
TARRISHA HICKS
Founder of SOBI
Co-Director of B.L.A.C. Fest
Tarrisha “Reese” Hicks is a Chattanooga native, multifaceted creative, and the engine behind SOBI. With a background in Multimedia Journalism and Dance Education, she uses the art of storytelling to curate impactful experiences.
Her journey has fueled a passion for creating spaces where art, media, and community intersect. Through SOBI and beyond, she is dedicated to uplifting creatives and helping shape Chattanooga’s cultural landscape.
SOBI
SOBI is a creative community based in Chattanooga. Our mission is to foster connection and collaboration among creatives through our art based events.
Born in 2022, SOBI started as a response to the disconnection we all felt after the pandemic. What began as intimate gatherings has grown into a cultural hub; bringing together diverse voices through music, art, and immersive experiences that remind us what it feels like to belong.
No gatekeeping. No cliques. Just space for genuine connection, accessibility, and collaboration across all backgrounds and disciplines.
TAYLOR MADDOX
Collaborating Artist
Director of Frame by Frame
Graduating in 2020 with a BFA in Graphic Design meant facing the daunting challenge of job hunting during a time when the world was in lockdown—isolated and in a state of chaos. That winter, borrowing a friend's camera and creating a small collection of sweaters, Taylor took to the streets to produce a promotional video. It was during that process that she fell in love with filmmaking.
Since then, life has blessed Maddox with numerous opportunities, including sitting on councils of start-up businesses, launching several companies of her own, participating in and hosting fashion shows, winning awards for her fashion creation RUSHOUR, speaking as an honored guest at fashion panels, and serving as Creative Director for Spunk Magazine, Art Director for Sobi Connect, and Chief Creative Officer for Sii, among many other notable achievements.
Ultimatley fashion opened the door to the world of film. Driven by passion and creativity, Taylor continues to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in filmmaking. With a deep commitment to storytelling and blending visual artistry with human experience, she is determined to leave an indelible mark on the industry. Forging ahead, Taylor remains focused on urning bold ideas into unforgettable realities.
FULL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
ART CHATT: FRAMEWORK
Art CHATT: Framework | February 20th 730pm-10pm
Art CHATT is a SOBI event series highlighting the work of local and regional artists, while fostering conversations.
Art CHATT: Framework, will explore the structures that influence creative identity through art and live dialogue with a panel of local Black artists and cultural leaders.
This event will be at Studio34 (3214 Brainerd Road).
Beyond the Frame | February 22nd 2pm-4pm
This showing features the full-length from Providence Newson Dance Company.
Beyond the Frame explores the artistic world of Crystal Newson: her movement language, influences, and interpretation—while bringing Black visual art to life on stage.
Black visual artworks are studied, interpreted, and translated into movement, allowing the choreography to respond to texture, emotion, color, and meaning found within each piece.
Beyond the Frame bridges three artistic worlds, honoring Black artists across disciplines while expanding how their work can be experienced into motion.
This event will be at Barking Legs Theater (1307 Dodds Avenue).
BEYOND THE FRAME
BEYOND THE FRAME
Beyond the Frame | February 21st 7pm-9pm
This showing features the full-length from Providence Newson Dance Company.
Beyond the Frame explores the artistic world of Crystal Newson: her movement language, influences, and interpretation—while bringing Black visual art to life on stage.
Black visual artworks are studied, interpreted, and translated into movement, allowing the choreography to respond to texture, emotion, color, and meaning found within each piece.
Beyond the Frame bridges three artistic worlds, honoring Black artists across disciplines while expanding how their work can be experienced into motion.
This event will be at Barking Legs Theater (1307 Dodds Avenue).
Beyond the Frame: Portraits | February 22nd 2pm-330pm
This special showing is a free matinee specifically designed for families. It features youth performances from The Pop-up Project’s program partners, guest artist performances, an abridged version of the full-length evening performance.
This event will be at Studio34 (3214 Brainerd Road).
BEYOND THE FRAME: PORTRAITS
FRAME BY FRAME: SHORT FILMS SCREENING
Frame by Frame: Short Films Screening | February 22nd 6pm-8pm
Frame by Frame is a short film screening highlighting the work of local Black filmmakers. Each short offers a different lens exploring the realities of black life, creativity, and identity.
This event will be at Studio34 (3214 Brainerd Road).