Black is King says REACH Studio Arts Center’s first ‘Artist in Residence-Mila Lynn

Courtesy Photo-Mila with Barack Obama

(Lansing, MI)-Internationally acclaimed visual artist and the first artist in REACH Studio Art Center's new Arts Residency Program, Lansing's own Mila Lynn presents her latest artistic endeavor entitled the 'Black is King' Project the month of February. Lynn is a multi-disciplinary visual artist who specializes in collage, painting, and caricature art. Lynn has studied & presented art nationally & abroad, including at Wimbledon Art Studio in London, England.

Taught by her father, Lynn learned to draw as a child. She began studying other forms of visual art in middle school and at REACH Studio Art Center. When Lynn picked up a brush as an adult, she noted, "I wasn't expecting it to take it this far." Now, reflecting back, she is extremely grateful that she has been able to turn a childhood activity into a blossoming professional career. Mila has a passion & love of creation on every level, and one of her greatest gifts is her ability to visualize something and bring it to life through her art.

The collection of 8 impactful figures of the Black community will be on display at REACH Studio Art Center and in multiple Black-owned businesses in Michigan's major cities, including Lansing, Grand Rapids, & Detroit. Lynn commissioned and presented her first solo exhibit, the Repurpose Project at Factory 114 in Tampa, FL, in the summer of 2019.

Courtesy Photo-Mila with Michelle Obama

The project is a continuation of Lynn's idea to increase Black Representation as Royalty shortly after her godson was born. "I want him to grow up in a world where he feels he belongs and can see himself playing a meaningful role," Lynn said. Mila wants to normalize society by seeing her godson and other Black community members as something different from villains & victims. The project is set to educate and uplift the Black community by celebrating various figures, including Michelle & Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Kobe Bryant, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. Throughout the month, Mila will paint new Black Kings and Queens, and there will be a different theme for each such as the King & Queen of Diamonds, of Hearts, of Clubs, and of Spades. The pieces that aren’t featured in her studio will be featured in an affluent Black Business in Lansing, Detroit, or Grand Rapids, and the originals will eventually go on sale. There will also be prints made of each piece that will be available for purchase.

Courtesy Photo-Mila at Work

In addition to presenting the 'Black is King' Project, Mila Lynn has been named the first 'Artist in Residence' in REACH's newly launched Arts Residency Program. As a child, Mila was one of the first students to enroll at REACH in Lansing, where she was introduced to and developed her love of art through youth classes. It means a lot to Mila that it has come full circle. The moment was not lost on Alice Brinkman, Executive Director of REACH either. "I'm excited to have Mila Lynn call Reach Studio Art Center "home" for her artistic practice." To promote the 'Black is King' project, Mila has planned multiple evening shows throughout February in her studio at REACH, which will feature Michigan based musician of Black Descent. The presentations will be Thursdays at 7pm via Facebook and IG LIVE. For more information on the project, visit www.mindofmila.com.