Also, Artists sought for Doing the Dream ‘artivism’ exhibition

This article is brought to you by 2nd Shift Sewer & Plumbing, Heating & Air®. 2nd Shift Sewer & Plumbing® is the leading provider of plumbing services in Howard County and the surrounding areas. With more than 30 years of experience, their knowledgeable and licensed technicians have the expertise to fix any plumbing or sewer problem you may have.

Renowned poet and social activist Sonia Sanchez will serve as keynote speaker for Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s 2025 “Doing the Dream” events. This annual event, now in its 21st edition, is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to keep alive his commitment to justice, equity and peace within our students and our community.

“Our annual Doing the Dream, set for Feb. 6 and 7, is focused on the theme ‘The Art That Moved the Movement’ and is celebrating the art and artists who have, for generations, supported Dr. King’s vision,” said Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area. “We are thrilled that Sonia Sanchez, with her own legacy of more than six decades of ‘artivism,’ will be bringing her poetry and her art as keynote speaker.”

The traditional community banquet is set for Thursday, Feb. 6, in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. On Friday, Feb. 7, Ms. Sanchez will participate in an “artivism” workshop with Ivy Tech students from around the state as well as a convocation for Ivy Tech Kokomo faculty, staff, and students.

Tickets for the Feb. 6 banquet go on sale Jan. 8 and will be available at this link: link.ivytech.edu/2025DoingtheDream. The event annually brings leaders from throughout the community together with the distinguished speaker to address issues of local, state, and national importance. Individual tickets are $60 each and will be available until Jan. 30, unless sold out earlier. All proceeds support the Ivy Tech Kokomo “Doing the Dream” Diversity Scholarship.

Once again, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is speaker sponsor for the event.

Sanchez is an oft-honored poet, educator, columnist, dramatist, and essayist; the author of more than 20 books and plays. For more than 60 years she has helped to redefine American culture and politics as an activist in the Black, women’s, and peace movements. Maya Angelou called Ms. Sanchez “a lion in literature’s forest,” while spoken word artist Bryonn Bain credits her with paving the way for his generation. Ms. Sanchez revolutionized poetry by incorporating a unique performance style and collaborations with jazz musicians.

Her lengthy list of honors includes the 2022 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the 2001 Robert Frost Medal, The 2004 Harper Lee Award, and the National Visionary Leadership Award for 2005. She has lectured at more than 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Cuba, England, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, the People’s Republic of China, Norway, and Canada.

Ivy Tech Kokomo’s “Doing the Dream: A Cultural Celebration” has been an annual event for the community and local students designed to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity as expressed by Dr. King. “Over the last 20 years, we estimate more than 30,000 people – school children, high school and college students, teachers and faculty members, religious and civic leaders, and community members – have participated in ‘Doing the Dream’ activities,” Heicher said.

Artists sought for Doing the Dream ‘artivism’ exhibition

With the theme “The Art That Moved the Movement,” the 2025 edition of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s annual “Doing the Dream” event will include an exhibition of work submitted by a variety of “artivists.” This is the 21st year Ivy Tech Kokomo has presented the annual events to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Artists – emerging and established, student and professional, local and nationwide – are invited to submit work for the exhibition scheduled during “Doing the Dream” activities Feb. 6 and 7 on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. Deadline for submission is Jan. 19.

DeAndra Beard-Ingram, director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging for Ivy Tech Kokomo and chair of the Doing the Dream committee, is organizing the exhibition as part of this year’s emphasis on the arts and artists “whose work has, for generations supported Dr. King’s commitment to justice, equity, and peace.”

She quoted American author and filmmaker M.K. Asante in defining the artivist (artist plus activist) as one who “uses their artistic talents to fight and struggle against injustice and oppression – by any medium necessary.

“The artivist merges commitment to freedom and justice with the pen, the lens, the brush, the voice, the body and the imagination,” Asante said.

Beard-Ingram said Ivy Tech is also seeking five artists to donate work for a silent auction whose proceeds will support the Ivy Tech Doing the Dream Scholarship for Ivy Tech students.

As part of celebrating “The Art That Moved the Movement,” Ivy Tech Kokomo is bringing renowned poet and social activist Sonia Sanchez to serve as keynote speaker for the annual community banquet Feb. 6 and student/faculty/staff activities Feb. 7.

For more information on the art exhibition, contact Beard-Ingram at dbeard47@ivytech.edu. The submission form is available here: https://forms.gle/2XgAAaGokDhJd3Y6A