Photographer Renee Brown, co-owner of the publishing company A Thousand Words, unveiled the multi-genre exhibit, 'Boutique of Dreams: Picture Your Dreams. Speak Your Reality,' on June 10. The mission of Brown and her business partner, Tracey Bailey, is to bring financial support for unknown artists and change the world 'a thousand pictures, a thousand ideas, a thousand words at a time.'
By showcasing her photography along with poetry, candles, music, interior design and food in order to engage the senses and open minds, Brown's dream of bringing people together is coming through to fruition.
'About 20 years ago, I asked my purpose,' 47-year-old Brown said. 'That is bringing people together. I feel [ the exhibit ] is part of fulfilling that dream.'
Alongside Brown's eclectic portraits and photographs of animals and her travels is poetry by e nina jay; scented candles by Duwana Branch; music by flautist Aarafa Payne; pieces by interior designer Ludeen Kilgore; and food by one of Oprah's 50th birthday party chefs, Yulanda.
It has been Brown's dream to bring people together for quite some time, which explains the title and motto of the show and why her company—made official in March—fosters networking between artists and community supporters. 'It's about exposure,' she said. This is Brown's first show, which she hopes will travel around until her company obtains a permanent, centrally located building.
Already, she is eagerly planning the next one.
Each show is eclectic, engaging the five senses so 'when anybody comes to the gallery, whether they are an auditory, kinetic or visual-type person, there will be something there to stimulate them,' she said. Also, Brown believes there is art in everything, which is why the show features non-traditional art forms such as candle making.
In addition, the exhibit is free. Brown believes access is a key to success. 'I want the most difficult thing about getting there is asking, 'What bus do I have to take?' Brown said.
Three years ago, Brown's journey as a photographer began. Originally a psychology major with hopes of becoming a clinical social worker, Brown found herself working as a graphic designer at a Chicago law firm as a way to incorporate the arts into her career. After being asked to design an LGBT booklet for the firm, Brown discovered there were no 'real' photos of LGBT people of color. She decided to do it herself, practicing roughly 40 hours a week and traveling alone to collect pictures of people of color in a very positive light. Brown continues to work six days a week, coming home only to shoot until 2 a.m. Passionate about her goals, she keeps herself very busy.
Brown even has a line of cards featured at Women & Children First Bookstore. Her cards portray people of color, LGBTs and 'what makes people happy,' including animals. 'When I go to the stores, I don't see greeting cards I want to see,' Brown said. 'And it's not necessarily the photos, but also the words.'
Brown doesn't restrict herself to LGBT people of color. 'I didn't want to be limited,' she said. 'It's a hokey, childlike dream of just bringing people together because deep down inside to me, we are all humans. We are a beautiful species. We are so different and diverse.' That is why most of Brown's photos—especially of people—force the viewer to closely examine a subject normally viewed from far away. 'If you look closely, you can see that we are just people and everybody has beauty in them,' she added.
Brown's art is her life. Although she loves biking, traveling and spending time with her four sons and granddaughter, her photography is her world. 'I turn everything into art,' Brown said, joking that she can never put the camera down.
A year from now, Brown hopes to have a permanent building where people can come together, enjoy art and gain exposure. She also wishes to nurture and grow her 'ever-evolving' talent through practice and discipline.
'I feel really blessed,' she said. Brown, who reads The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success every day because of her strong belief in karma, is giving back to the community and her supporters through sharing her art. With the opening of the show, a supportive girlfriend, exposure and plans for the future dancing in her head, Brown is very happy that she is seeing her dream out.
The exhibit, held at Tojo Gallery at 1418 W. Division, will be open through July by appointment only. Many of the pieces, including furniture, photographs and candles are for sale. It is free and open to the public. Call ( 773 ) 726-4545 or ( 773 ) 206-0272 for details.