All American Grillz from CRO on Vimeo.

Thanks to everyone that came out to the opening on Friday. It was a madhouse! We had over 600 folks stop-by to say hi and check out the work. Just want to send a special thanks to Lauren Pacheco and Peter Kepha for being so hospitable. Also, I want to thank everyone who helped me get this whole show together including all the CUAS interns and board members, Billy Craven, Noelle, Chelsie, Rebecca Berdel, Dave @48 Industries, Scott Allyn, Solson, Ruben Aguirre, GlitterGuts, Sadie Woods, Revel, Sterling Bay Properties, Kinkos, Dick Blick (How bout a sponsorship?!) and my livingroom 94 nitro Montana dealer. You can’t stop dis hustle!

Check out exhibition photos here.

The rain and the humidity shouldn’t keep you indoors tonight.  Jump in a cab, on your bike or the CTA and gas up your car because the grand opening / inaugural exhibition is TODAY!

Top 5 Reasons YOU Need To Be In Pilsen
5. Blago Cupcakes (vegan friendly too!)
4. GlitterGuts Photobooth featuring a CRO backdrop
3. Deejay’s Sadie Woods, Revel + Solson
2. On a budget?  Grab a t-shirt or poster!
1. Ray Noland introduces 30 new pieces of artwork!

*Limited parking in the rear of our building.  Follow signs.
*Street parking available.
*Official After-Party at Skylark on Cermak and Halsted.

Walk through today with Lauren and Peter at the new Chicago Urban Art Society [exhibition + creative-use space]. Also in attendance (CUAS) board members, Juan Jorge Rosales, Philip J. Mullins and 25th ward Alderman Danny Solis.

The owner liked my dog stencil so much they decided to paint him on the side of the building in Pink! It looks phenomenal. Thanks Randy and Gully! Check it out at: 342 Depot St., Asheville, NC

In honor of my return to the City of Broad Shoulders. Based on the recent quote by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, “Welcome to America. Americans Kill Each Other,”  artist Ray CRO Noland releases the print entitled, ‘Daley Riot.’  This print is included in the upcoming Sweet Tea & American Values exhibition @ Chicago Urban Art Society (CUAS). BUY NOW

Presented by The Chicago Urban Art Society

More info coming soon.

Asheville City Bus by CRO unveiled. See more pictures here.

Art on Transit Unveiling
When: Saturday, March 27, 11:00am
Where: City/County Plaza (in front of City Hall)
Who: hosted by the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, the Public Art Board, and Transit Commission

This event is free and open to the public.  Everyone is welcome.

RECESSION chronicles the history of the only remaining Works Progress Administration art institution in the United States – the South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC).

From its’ inception during the Great Depression to its’ existence today, the South Side Community Art Center and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) have been inextricably connected.

To honor this legacy selected work will be shown by SAIC alumni, each connected to SSCAC and the community in their own indelible way.

April 2, 2010 – May 2, 2010
South Side Community Art Center
3831 South Michigan
Chicago, IL 60653

Opening Reception
April 2, 2010
6p.m. – 9 p.m.

Installation performance by artist Lorenzo Pace – 8p.m.

Conversation on Black Contemporary Artists
April 3, 2010
1p.m.

Lorenzo Pace
Professor
University of Texas at Edinburg

John Yancey
Chair, Department of Art & Art History
University of Texas at Austin

WPA Discussion
April 17, 2010
1p.m.

James Parker – Art Collector/Former SSCAC Board Member
David Lusenhop – Gallerist/Art Scholar
Daniel Schulman – Art Historian

Artists
Aleksandrovna Amerik
Greg Bray
Sylvester Britton
Margaret Burroughs
Elizabeth Catlett
Colleen Coleman
Julius Dorsey
Leah Gipson
Jonathan Green
Richard Hunt
Calvin Jones
Barbara Jones-Hogu
Rodney Lee Jones
Geraldine McCullough
Leonard Moody
Archibald Motley
Ray Noland
Lorenzo Pace
Eva Richardson
Duhirwe Rushemeza
Eve Sanford
Margaret Tarr
Al Tyler
Anna Tyler
Charles White
John Yancey

For more information contact
Multicultural Affairs
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
maffai@saic.edu or 312.629.6869

Just created a People’s Party Facebook Group. Please JOIN us.

The People’s Party is looking to raise $2000 to fund a poster campaign to address the growing Tea Bag Party. When we reach our goal we will print this ‘Ye Olde South’ poster design & stickers to distribute around the country to stops along the Tea Bag Party Express Tour route (view route here). Your contribution will go directly towards poster printing and shipping costs. This is the first stage of this campaign. If we receive ample support we will expand our fund-raising to produce additional poster designs. Contributors will receive rewards based on their donation amount. See below.

Rewards
$1 = Hi-res downloadable poster PDF
$5 = Sticker pack
$10 = One poster
$25 = Poster package of (10) + sticker pack
$50 = Poster package of (25) + sticker pack
$100 or more = Poster package of (50) + sticker pack

(All posters are offset printed ‘slappers’ on 80lb. paper. Size: 18 in. x 24 in. Includes shipping/handling.)

DONATE HERE or use the ChipIn widget!

People’s Party Statement

America is going through serious growing pains. Many of us are unsatisfied disgusted with what is going on in the country and government. From war, to jobs, to health care, to energy, to education, to cloaked racism and bigotry many of us are becoming disenchanted with our country’s ability to nurture a prosperous environment.

Recently, the supreme court ruled corporations have the same rights as individuals and can dump as much money into our elections and public policy as they please. What this means is, you and I have no voice unless we mobilize ourselves. The election of 2008 showed us that people have power to affect the course of the world. We mobilized and we were active. Today, technology gives ‘the people’ access that previously only corporations have had access to. For a time, the scales had become balanced. With this new ruling, the scales have once again been shifted back to corporate influence.

Ultimately, we all have the same needs and aspirations. Some Americans instill fear to hide the real injustice. We will never realize this ‘promised land’ if we resort to simply huddling in our own one dimensional ‘safe’ communities. Separatism does not inspire understanding. This summer there will be other ‘movements’ building campaigns based on fear and misinformation. I believe the real American movement will be based on core values of inclusion and mutual respect and understanding – regardless of race, gender or sexual preference. Collectively we are strong and have real power.

Please, donate & join the People’s Party.

Designs by Tony Ruth (LunchBreath)

The Tea Bagger Express will be traveling the country in a few weeks spreading a campaign of misinformation & exclusion. I would like to initiate a national anti-teabagger poster campaign which will have a presence in each of their destinations (See Below). Looking for feedback, ideas, thoughts & your support! Let me know if you are as annoyed with these separatist as I am. The future of America is Inclusion.

This campaign is yet an idea and a dream. If there is enough support from this email, I will set this in motion. Let me know if you can help.

Please, comment or spread the word.

Tea Bagger Express Tour route
March 27th – April 15th, 2010

Talking to an Asheville High School class about graphic art & design.

Recession will chronicle the existence of the only remaining Works Progress Administration – WPA art center in the country. Birthed out of the Great Depression, the SSCAC has had an enduring impact on the artistic and cultural fabric of Chicago. For many years it has served as one of the few artistic spaces accessible to African American patrons and artists from all genres. Even in the face of current economic and societal challenges it remains an entrenched pillar within the community.

Opening Reception: Friday, April 2, 2010

South Side Community Art Center
3831 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago

On behalf of the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and the Public Art Board my artwork entitled, ‘Jewel Forest’ was selected to appear on a City of Asheville bus as part of the City’s first Art on Transit program! Hits the streets in March!

For my LGBT brothers and sisters. In the end your fight is our fight. Respect and Equality is universal. Above is my submission to the Manifest Equality exhibition in Los Angeles, March 3rd – 7th, 2010. “The DADT Problem (Trapped in the Closet),” Stencil and aerosol on canvas. 24 in. x 36 in.

/ Post Election Unveiling Event –>Tuesday, February 2nd @ 7pm – 10pm

/ Opening Celebration Gathering –> Friday, February 5th @ 7pm – 10pm

/ Location: Chicago Urban Art Society’s ‘Warming Center’ – 1843 South Halsted St.

*spaces on view through February 28th / 24 hours a day / 7 days a week

Damen & Division Ave., Chicago

I’m thinking about how I can make FLAGS!

I’m beginning to like this ruby thing. It’s a bit tedious cutting film by hand but it has its own charm to it. Don’t Trust a Snake print on deck.

A commentary on Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize… Ehm. Just printed a few greeting cards and posters. I also have this design available on American Apparel Classic Girl t-shirts.

Don’t forget to pick up Hal Wert’s book. It makes a great gift. The print quality is exceptional and its one of the best collections of Obama inspired art on the market. Check it out here. Buy it here.

I’ll have some CRO merch at this year’s Holiday Fair. Come check out the mayhem. (Booth 40)

Making a few items to bring to the Holiday Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago December 5th, 6th. You can also pick these guys up in the store here.

Michael Jackson Thriller

Not sure the Tea Bag Party understands what their name means. Thought I’d let them in on the joke. FREE Download here.

mocro’s motion design, video compositing, animation, stop-motion skills :: fall o9 ::

This is a template for the series of videos we are developing to educate the public about Health Care Reform. It will be available for public, private and viral use. If you consider this to be useful information you can help make it happen. Invest in this project on Kickstarter.com

A riff on the classic, “When it rains it pours.” Morton Salt ad campaign. In the case of Healthcare reform, “When it rains American citizens should be covered under a public option.

Henry ‘Skip’ Gates. Yale graduate. Mac Arthur ‘Genius’ award recipient. Harvard Professor. Documentary filmmaker. Burglar? What is the underlining identity of AFRICANA in America? Education or an arrest mugshot? No matter how award winning or esteemed we may only be one ego/class-driven over-blown moment away from the hand-cuff bling, bling.

Most of my friend’s ‘of-color’ have very similar stories to ‘Skip’ Gates they will easily tell you after a few beers. This is a reality most of us just live with. Many of my white friends have a different reaction. They either simply do not care or do not see the worth in the conversation amongst other pressing issues. (Unless, they’ve ever been that one white person in a group of people-of-color during a situation involving the police.) Do we realize how race and class issues unconsciously sway opinion one way or another on other topics?

These differences in perspective and more over differences in personal experience ultimately get to the heart of the disconnect in this country. Realistically, America will never collectively ‘have a beer’ or agree on Healthcare reform for that matter until we actually have more shared experiences.

What do you make of this video taken during a recent Healthcare debate in Missouri? Shared experience? Equal treatment? How are our lenses colored differently by this?

We had a blast last week at the Run, Blago, Run opening. Check out pics here. I still have a few Blago pieces remaining if you are interested. Also, we found the misplaced Dan Lacey Blago painting. I will post a link about it soon.

Run, Blago, Run!
Group Art Show

Opening Reception
Friday, July 24th, 2009, 6 – 9PM
with DJs Sol Son & DIZ
Show continues July 25 – 26, 12 – 7PM

1925 N. Milwaukee Ave.
(Milwaukee & Western) Just north of Wicker Park Fest

Brought to you by CRO. A kickstarter Project. Sponsored by StickerRobot
10% of show sales donated to Street-Level Youth Media

For more info, contact us here.

Artists are invited to submit work in any medium to the juried Run, Blago, Run! Show, 3-day POP-UP gallery held in Chicago, July 24 – 26, 2009.

Featured artists include: Mireya Acierto, Scot LaFavor, Dan Lacey, Diederick Kraaijeveld, Ray Noland, Tariq Rafiq, Amanda Rivkin, Jeff Zimmerman

Run, Blago, Run! Show is based on Rod Blagojevich’s now classic black Nike tracksuit and jogging pose. Maybe you’ve seen stencils of him jogging or lighting campfires in Chicago. Or maybe you’ve heard the self-professed ‘hard working cowboy’ compare himself to Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Run, Blago Run! Show will allow these dreams (or nightmares) to come true. Juried by actress Joan Cusack, legendary house DJ Derrick Carter and artists Ray Noland aka CRO. 10% of show sales donated to Street-Level Youth Media.

Submission Deadline EXTENDED: July 15th, 2009

Get submission details here.

Show details coming soon!

This project will only be funded with your support. Ends Tuesday at midnight. Currently, 44 Backers have pledged 59% of our goal with ONLY ONE DAY LEFT to reach a critical mass! We are so close. Most of our pledges have been $25 or less. Give as little as $1

Read an interview with Art+Culture

“…the Run, Blago Run imagery is funny in the same way Tina Fey is
hilarious simply quoting Sarah Palin verbatim.” —Ray Noland

After all the talk and reporting about Somali pirates I was surprised to find out the reasons young Somali’s started hi-jacking ships in the first place. Word is ‘unknown’ countries have been dumping nuclear waste on the shores of Somalia for the past 10 years. Originally, young crews would attack any ships off their shores in makeshift rafts and boats suspected of dumping. As hi-jacking became profitable greed took over and the objectives changed.

I’m not condoning any of this. My concern is, why is this not common knowlegde? Why is the whole story randomly discussed if discussed at all in the press?

Check them out in the store.

I have an exciting new project for all of you interested in art, satire, social politics and where it all intersects. As some of you are aware the Illinois ex-Governor was recently impeached. Since then he has been making the rounds on network television defending his case.

Recently, graffiti art stencils of Illinois’ disgraced former governor jogging in a track suit and looking over his shoulder are finding their way onto buildings and alleys around the city, the Chicago Tribune reports. I’d like to host an art show based on this phenomenon and invite artists to interpret the classic jogging pose.

Check out this project on Kickstarter. You can INVEST in the show and get ART in return!

Read the Run, Blago Run! article here.

Today, marks the 100th day of President Barack Obama’s administration. Overall, I think he is doing an impressive job re-establishing and navigating this country’s course. Some may agree with his direction while others disagree. He’s being pushed and pulled from all sides. From liberals to conservatives we are all looking to Obama to champion or be the HERO of our own particular causes.

Rod pictured in his classic black running suit.

“Yeah, I used to do graffiti back in the day.”"My girl in New York does stencil art.”

Blago starting a campfire. He can’t go to Costa Rica but he sure is good at fanning the flames. Check it out in the store.

Thanks to everyone that came out today for the gallery talk. CNN was also there taping. I’ll post the segment here when its available.

ABC News reporter Ann Compton recently found out during the President’s First Press Conference that race continues to be the elephant in the room in the new colorblind Obama administration.

During the election period, I believed it was the ‘campaign’ protecting Obama’s universal persona. Post-election, after watching numerous town-hall meetings and public speaking engagements, I now believe it is his philosophy to steer clear of any discussion of race if at all possible.

“…the Obama campaign did not so much transcend race as manage to talk around it.” —Race Over?, Marc Ambinder

Ultimately, what does this mean? Is there a problem associating oneself with blackness?  If so, is that not THE topic of discussion? Does an Obama presidency tell us, that in order to be successful in mainstream America as a minority one has to Neutralize White Fear? In effect be raceless – or rather Red, White and Blue.

Buy Now!

Located at 16th St. & Union. Conley’s Patch in Pilsen, Chicago.

Everyone has been asking, “What next?” Where to after the election of Obama? What will be the subject matter of your work? At the end of the day, my work is simply a reflection of society. I am a cultural vessel… a visual MC. CRO speaks the visual vernacular of the collective voice. I am concerned with social issues that resonate with many and concepts of individual empowerment.

Stay Tuned!