BIPOC Community Table

The GEEX BIPOC Community Table (formerly known as the BIPOC Co-learner Affinity Group) creates a supportive environment for BIPOC co-learners to meet, network and be seen in a community of peers across the field of glass.

Who is this for?

Illustration of a long, brown tabletop, surrounded by empty brown chairs on all 4 sides. The top of the table includes papers, a laptop, writing devices, a GEEX sticker, phones, headphones, and bottles/cups of water.

This group is open to BIPOC-identified people learning and working with the material of glass. We use the term “co-learner” to expand the boundaries of “students” to include: recent graduates, self-taught individuals, people in high school, as well as emerging, mid-career, and established professionals that are interested in supporting each other intergenerationally.

Fall 2024–Spring 2025

MEETINGS	ACTIVITY
October Saturday, October 6 · 6:30-8:00pm US-Central	Intergenerational Conversation An intergenerational invitation for BIPOC glass practitioners to share knowledge and support each other at every career stage.
December Sunday, December 15 · 5:30-7:00pm US-Central	Mental Health A meeting focusing on mental health with a mindfulness exercise, supportive group discussion, and resource sharing.
Spring 2025 Time and Date TBD	Navigating Tokenism
Summer 2025 Time and Date TBD	Career Transitions

How do I participate?

Read the Code of Conduct.
Register for the GEEX BIPOC Community Table through this Google Form to receive event information.

Past Meetings

Meet and Greet

Saturday, September 30 · 7:00-8:30pm US-Central

Join us for an informal chat and get to know one another.

Wisdom Sharing

Sunday, December 10 · 7:00-8:30pm US-Central

An intergenerational invitation for BIPOC glass practitioners to share knowledge and support each other at every career stage.

Opportunity Sharing

Saturday, March 30 · 5:00-6:30pm US-Central

A collaborative meeting to share and gather resources and opportunities to support each other’s professional goals.

Meet and Greet

Thursday, September 29 · 6:00-7:00pm US-Central

Join us for an informal chat and get to know one another.

Show and Tell

Saturday, December 10 · 7:00-8:30pm US-Central

Share your work with other BIPOC-identified folx.

Dinner + Doodles

Saturday, March 25 · 7:00-8:30pm US-Central

Group drawing jam and a shared time to unwind.

Meet and Greet

Friday, September 24 · 5:30–6:30pm US-Central

Join us for an informal chat and get to know one another.

Guest Speaker: Jason McDonald

Sunday, November 21 · 5:00–6:00pm US-Central

Jason McDonald will give a brief artist talk followed by ample time for questions and conversation.

WIP Crit Group

Sunday, February 27 · 3:30–5:00pm US-Central

Share your work with other BIPOC-identified folx in small peer groups.

Drawing Jam

Sunday, April 17 · 5:00–6:00pm US-Central

Join us for a Lynda Barry-inspired Drawing Jam, led by Bre’Annah Stampley. You don’t have to have any artistic or realistic drawing skill to do this. You just need to be brave and sincere. Our goal is to have fun, stay curious, and discover spontaneous gestures together.

Meet and Greet

Thursday, March 25 · 6-7pm US-Central

Guest Speaker: Corey Pemberton

Thursday, May 6 · 6-7pm US-Central

About the Facilitators

Abigail Akindude

Abigail Akindude (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist who fell in love with glass after a class in the hot shop sparked her interest. She loves exploring the many glass techniques and dog watching.

Links

instagram.com/abi.akindude

Adeye Jean-Baptiste

Adeye Jean-Baptiste (she/her) is a mixed media glass artist, who enjoys reading and traveling. She is a recent graduate of Alfred University, in Alfred, New York.

Links

instagram.com/adayamonthayear

Kiani Simms

Kiani Simms (she/her) is an alumni of Emporia State University, a therapist, and glass artist located in Kansas. Her favorite items to make are glass flowers and birds.

Links

instagram.com/kiani_simms

Bre’Annah Stampley

Bre’Annah Stampley (they/them/theirs) is a UW-Madison alumni, bike nerd, GEEX Co-learner Board Representative, and a teaching artist located in Chicago, Illinois.