CHROMA Guild

The CHROMA Guild advances opportunities and access to resources for creative and cultural professionals of color in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The regional network builds both individual and organizational capacity by expanding equity and inclusion within the area’s cultural and creative sector.

Erie Arts & Culture defines a creative and cultural professional as any person involved in the conception, production, distribution, promotion, interpretation, or conservation of creative and cultural objects, programs, or events. Through this network, Erie Arts & Culture aims to connect and empower artists, curators, critics, producers, venue owners, promoters, and archivists who value culture and creativity in all its forms.

CHROMA members conducted formal and social meetings during 2020.

The CHROMA Guild progresses its objectives through four core actions, including:

Networking

Strengthen relationships with fellow creative and cultural professionals of color.
Establish relationships with cultural and creative organizations, institutions, and venues.
Cultivate relationships with cultural consumers and patrons of the arts.
Identify and leverage relationships with allies.
Build relationships within neighborhoods and communities.
Formalize relationships with regional media outlets.

Continuing Education

Encourage participation in professional development and creative workshops.
Create opportunities for knowledge sharing, such as mentoring and apprenticeships

In September of 2020, CHROMA Members Leslie C. Sotomayor and Antonio Howard worked on the mural at the Wholefoods Co-op in Erie, PA. The theme was food access and social justice.

Advocating

Promote self determination among members of CHROMA.
Build a roster of creative and cultural professionals of color who live and work in the region, categorized by mediums and disciplines.
Meet with cultural and creative organizations, institutions, and venues to create agency around adopting plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion sector-wide.
Host conversations and panel discussions that explore the intersectionality of art, race, and identity.
Submit opinion pieces and editorials to regional media companies for publication and distribution.

Advancing Opportunities

Curate and present collaborative and interdisciplinary exhibitions of work.
Secure opportunities to conceptualize, create, and install public art.
Encourage recurring studio visits and group critiques.
Share information about upcoming regional opportunities, including exhibitions, events, and job openings.

CHROMA Member Samone Johnson lead a community input session as part of her Creating With Community artist residency.

2021 Officers

Annually, the CHROMA Guild elects Officers to serve in leadership roles. Officers help set strategic priorities and advance the work of the guild. Officers for 2021 include:

President - Leslie C. Sotomayor II

Vice President - Emidalys Serrano

Treasurer - Esther Ortiz

Secretary - Antonio Howard

VP of Advocacy - Jermaine Beason

VP of Continuing Education - Armando Reyes

VP of Networking - Hayes Moses

VP of Advancing Opportunities - Lourdes Jasso

2021 meeting dates for the CHROMA Guild will be uploaded before the conclusion of 2020.

Interested in joining CHROMA?

Please use the link below to tell us about yourself. After completing the form, you will be emailed directions with your next steps!