By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The city of Goodyear's Jazz in the Park event, held, Feb. 15, is an extension of the Vision and Sound: An African American Experience program, with a focus on Black musicians.

The event featured performances from local jazz artists Lisa Hightower and The Stakes, a beer and wine garden provided by Saddle Mountain Brewing Company and local vendors selling food and items to commemorate the event.

“We’re here for the music, the artists, we’re celebrating Black history as it’s being made,” said Dalton Attig, Goodyear recreation programmer.

Jazz in the Park drew a crowd of people filling the grass lawn in front of the city hall, lawn chairs, strollers and picnic blankets were packed into the green space.

“The event definitely feels a lot bigger this year. We want we want all the events to be this successful, we want people to come out and have a good time,” said Attig. “When there's more people out, it's like something is in the air, something exciting.”

Attendees participated in art activations where they could interact and create alongside of professional artists featured in the Goodyear Library Fine Art Show, produced pictures for families to take home and a larger portrait everyone could add to. The Fine Art Show, Vision and Sound: An African American Experience, runs through March 26 and is on display at the Georgia T. Lord Library.

The event and the art show are a part of a broader series of activities created through a partnership between the Sedona Arts Center and local municipalities like Goodyear and Tolleson. The Vision and Sound program, now in its 10th year, showcases the work of Black artists across Arizona, highlighting their contributions to both visual and performing arts.

According to Julie Richard, CEO of the Sedona Arts Center, Norma Cunningham and her husband, Michael, co-founded Vision and Sound. They started out in 2016 with the small exhibit of just Michael's work. That initial exhibit sparked an idea to expand the program to bring attention to African American artists in Arizona. Norma died within the past year and Richard dedicated the 10th anniversary to her memory.

“Norma was the heart and soul of vision sound," Richard said. “We're so thankful for Norma and Michael's dream for this program, and we very much miss Norma's presence here and always, although I'm certain that she's looking down upon us.”

The celebraton of Black artists and Black history that the Cunninghams started 10 years ago resulted in connection between community members, music echoing across Goodyear City Square and participants dancing and learning alongside Black artists.