Art For Unity

from Roundabout Welcome Back 2020

Black-Owned Businesses in Raleigh

Written by: Jalen Rose

For 8 months, the world has had to endure the effects of a global pandemic due to the Coronavirus. During this time, people have been quarantining in their homes to ensure the general safety of the public. Although everyone is stuck at home, there are people who still want to do their part contributing to society. One organization in particular, Art For Unity Charlotte, has contributed to causes pertaining to social justice while maintaining public health safety. One of the committee members of this organization is a student here at NC State.

Priscilla Bañuelos is a third year NC State student studying interpersonal communication and is the chief marketing officer of Art For Unity Charlotte. Art For Unity is a collective that highlights and uplifts local artists through charity art shows and various other events, most recently using the proceeds from their virtual art show in June to donate to protester bail funds for those protesting the death of George Floyd. Bañuelos answered our questions about her work with A4UC via email:

Roundabout: What was the initial inspiration behind A4UC? Priscilla Bañuelos: Art For Unity Charlotte began after the 2016 Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, an anti-gay terrorist attack that killed 50 individuals and wounded more. My friend, and current CEO of A4UC D’Mya Sanford, reached out to me about participating in a charity art show with the proceeds benefiting the victims of the shooting. As an LGBT individual who was horrified by the attack on my community, I immediately agreed. A month later, Art For Unity Charlotte held our first ever charity art show, a silent auction featuring five local high school artists, with the proceeds going to the One Orlando Fund. Since this event, A4UC has held biannual silent auction art shows for four years, with the proceeds of each show going to a different charitable organization, benefitting causes such as: human trafficking, domestic violence, mental health services, childhood hunger, and homelessness.

Roundabout: How would you say this organization has benefitted marginalized communities? Bañuelos: Since A4UC is a Black, POC, and female run organization, we take great pride in devoting our work to protecting and supporting marginalized communities. The art shows we’ve held in the past have benefitted the LGBTQ+ community, domestic and sexual assault survivors, and low-income families and children. A major part of what we do is finding communities who have been overlooked and/or dismissed within our society, and taking the time to support them through funding and exposure.

Roundabout: Is there a specific end goal you have in mind for A4UC? Bañuelos: The end goal of A4UC is to be a global charity organization devoted to promoting artists of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. We strive to serve as a source of community for disenfranchised artists, as well as a catalyst for social justice. We plan to expand our reach and in turn, increase the amount of money raised for charity.

Roundabout: Could you briefly tell us about the AXUC virtual show on June 19th? What inspired it?

Bañuelos: In the midst of worldwide protests against the unjust and brutal murders of George Floyd and

Breonna Taylor, A4UC knew we wanted to hold another art show to benefit the BLM movement and to raise money for protest bail funds. To ensure the safety of all artists and attendees, we knew a virtual art show was the way to go. 4 | Roundabout

For a month, the Committee planned and curated AXUC: a virtual art show against police brutality to benefit BLM. Using a software called ArtSteps, we tried to mimic the effect of a [real-life] art gallery, with dozens of pieces of art from talented individuals across the Carolinas. We wanted to use our platform to amplify black voices, specifically expressed through visual art. We were thrilled with the turnout and results of the show, and A4UC is proud to say we stand with the BLM movement. In the end, Art For Unity Charlotte raised money for the following organizations: Charlotte Bail Fund, Advancement Project, ACLU, Charleston Bail Fund, and Atlanta Bail Fund.

Roundabout: Is there anything else you would like people to know about A4UC? Bañuelos: Art For Unity Charlotte consists of a Committee of five individuals: D’Mya Sanford (Chief Executive Officer), Priscilla Bañuelos (Chief Marketing Officer), George Kostantinis (Chief Operations Officer), Carlos Morales (Head of Hospitality), and Shaina Platt (Chief Creative Officer). I also want to add we are always looking to expand our administrative team and include more artists, so please stay tuned for future opportunities!

Contact a4uc.org @artforunitycharlotte on Instagram