American multimedia and nationally known professional artist V.L. Cox calls Peekskill home. Cox moved to Peekskill in 2019 from Arkansas and did so for a variety of reasons. Most notable, she moved out of Arkansas as a result of recent laws passed by the Arkansas State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor that no longer made her feel safe in the Deep South. In addition, her lifestyle, values and wholehearted commitment to anti-racism, human-rights, and social justice did not align with regressive laws passed. Therefore, she looked for a place that did align with her values, a place that was safe, and cultivated the arts. That is how she found Peekskill, NY. That is where she planted her roots for herself and her future.
Just as V.L. Cox settled in, and began to feel at home, the Covid-19 Pandemic came and shut down the world. From that point forward, Cox focused on her art and kept herself sequestered in her studio…until now!
Coming this Tuesday, May 7, at the First Tuesday Salon from 6:00-8:00 pm at the BeanRunner Cafe, Arkansas Ex Pat, Artist V.L.Cox Breaks Cover. Listen to and witness V.L.Cox’s artistic challenge to the sinister forces that have smoldered beneath and resurfaced in recent years in our nation
Cox is a professional artist of 30 years who has been deeply engaged in projects that involve advancing Human Rights and Equality. She has a national reputation as an artist committed to social justice.
In 2015 she launched her National ‘End Hate’ project. This was an anti-discrimination series of sculptures designed and based on segregation era doors in response to HB1228, a dangerous Religious Freedom Bill in Arkansas. The project was created to address human rights issues which still plague us in the 21st century. The ‘End Hate’ doors were placed twice on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol then twice at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The response was overwhelming. Images of the door installation went viral and were seen on Yahoo News, USA Today, in numerous newspapers across the country and as far away as India and South Korea. Peekskill Herald’s Jeannette Sanderson profiled Cox about the ‘End Hate” project in V.L. Cox Uses Art to Open Minds and Hearts.
Visit this month’s First Tuesday Salon and be inspired by V.L. Cox’s story. Whatever you do, don’t miss this salon! The salons are free and open to the public. While there, learn about all of the upcoming music shows at the BeanRunner and enjoy a nice selection of food and beverages. Call the BeanRunner at 914-737-1701 for more information.
First Tuesday Salons will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year after a pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. It re-emerged in March of 2024 welcoming the same panel of women painters that was originally scheduled for March of 2020. Last month, the salon included a panel of four women who discussed Creative Reuse as the Peekskill Herald discussed in Creative Reuse is “First Tuesday Salon’s” April topic as Earth Month begins.
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