WE SPEAK FOR OUR COMMUNITIES:
It’s time for Optimum to give us Ovation TV now!
Some of the Artists in the Coalition Expressing Their Voice
Charles Rice-Gonzales and Arthur Aviles
Charles Rice-Gonzales and Arthur Aviles are the co-founders of BAAD! (The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance). BAAD!'s arts programming gives voice to artists from underrepresented demographics and aids in dismantling paradigms of social injustices including sexism, racism, and homophobia in the Bronx and beyond.
Kim “Good Look” Seabrook is a Bronx-based spoken word poet. Poetry has been a form of therapy for Kim Seabrook which led her to open “Creative Soul Concepts,” a workshop program which includes writing skills, poetry lessons, healing and meditation methods.
Kim “Good Look” Seabrook
“Art is a form of healing I want to lift those people up when they're feeling down. I need to know why Optimum is not playing this right in my hometown. I'm here to save others on a bigger scale, this is not about popularity. My voice needs to be heard, their paintings need to make you see bigger. So, what I'm saying is Optimum needs to open their eyes and see the bigger picture”
Sharnika Power
Sharnika Power is a London-born spoken word poet based in Brooklyn. Her spoken word poetry is inspired by Brooklyn street art and hip hop and she uses it to effect social change.
Genesis Tramaine
Genesis Tramaine is a Brooklyn-based mixed media painter. American Black cultural influences have a rich impact on the shape, structure and depth of each painting. Her social and political consciousness as a woman painter is informed by her constant challenges with the societal imbalances of race, class and gender.
Nicole “Artist Up” Watson
“I would like to start by pointing out that Ovation is phenomenal for allowing artists to showcase their gifts to millions of people as they are one of the few stations,” said Nicole “Artist Up” Watson. “I am very pleased to have and have had the opportunity to be one of the artists of many trades from the Bronx to share my vision.”
Nicole “Artist Up” Watson is a Bronx-based spoken word artist known as Artist Up. She has appeared on many stages and platforms as a host, actor, and spoken word artist. Artist Up has recently hosted several shows titled Around the Fire on QPTV. She has opened for comedians such as JP Justice, Rob Stapleton, and Ray Dejon performing spoken word.
Miracle Robinson is a Bronx-based 8-year-old designer. She created Styled by Miracle, a signature handcrafted accessories company for the girl who knows JUST what she wants, to address the hunger problem amongst homeless children in her city of New York.
Miracle Robinson
“I use my art form to help homeless children and Ovation lets me tell my story on their channel"
Steve Cas
“Art is not about money. It’s about inspiring. Artists should have the opportunity to inspire as many people as possible. The fact that Optimum Cable doesn’t carry the arts network Ovation TV to some of the most diverse arts communities like the Bronx, Brooklyn and Long Island sends the wrong message"
Steve Cas is a Brooklyn-based illustrator. He is an award-winning artist with a professional career that has spanned 20 years. He’s worked on numerous cutting-edge projects. Known for his inky stylized characters and an endless arsenal of computer skills.
LeRone Wilson
LeRone Wilson is a Harlem-based sculptor and painter. His primary medium is beeswax, the oldest form of painting, used in ancient Kemet (Egypt). His sculpted wax paintings explore the complexities of the historical and cultural inferences of spirituality, identity and self.