Boosting Communities

We recently began a partnership with New Market Support Company, aka NMSC. The Chicago-based organization is a financial services company with a mission to support underinvested communities. While the financial industry is complex, their approach is simple. Create well-performing funds that attract like-minded investors, and infuse the capital directly into communities. 

We'll be working together to develop a new name, visual identity and website. We've just begun the research phase and are already getting excited about the forthcoming transformation. 

See their Impact

The ’Force is Back

Back in 2009, Firebelly founder Dawn Hancock and serial entrepreneur Ed Marszewski schemed up the idea to celebrate Chicago designers with an annual exhibit of type-based art. It quickly became a must-see event that brought the community together during the coldest, darkest days of Chicago winters. Over the years, it’s grown up and moved out of our studio’s basement — now in the great hands of Will Miller and Nermin Moufti.  

Eleven packed opening night parties and one pandemic later — it’s back! In person! Just like years past, TF12 will take place at Co-Prosperity in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. The gallery will require masking and vaccination proof—and this year requires free registration for opening night on March 11th. 

RSVP to TF12

Rising Up

You may be familiar with the work of Audre Lorde, James Baldwin and Ntozake Shange. But you may not know about their connection to the Black Arts Movement — one of the most influential art groups from the 20th century. Part of the larger Black Power Movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s, its impact on poetry, drama, dance, music, visual art and fiction stretches far beyond its short existence. See links below to learn more about BAM — and check out Nicola Vassell, an art gallery owner, dealer and curator at the forefront of contemporary Black art.

- Introduction to BAM Poetry
- The BAM Aesthetic
- BAM art available Artsy

BAM on the National Archives