SXU Alum Debuts New Exhibition at Beverly Arts Center
Saint Xavier University (SXU) alum Brian Sykes '14 will debut a new gallery exhibition, "I Heard the City Breathe," at the Beverly Arts Center, from April 6 through May 1. A reception will be held on April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sykes, who majored in graphic design at SXU, was inspired by a desire to document the beauty, pain, resilience and emotional complexity of the city of Chicago while also creating a real bridge between young creatives and working artists. "I Heard the City Breathe" is a collaborative album and creative experience that brings together ISPro Academy high school students, Chicago artists, and the artist development of Unchained Genius to reflect on the Black experience in Chicago through music, storytelling and artistic expression.
"I wanted the project to be more than an album -- I wanted it to be a living example of what happens when mentorship, culture and community come together. Throughout the process, I learned how powerful it is to trust collaboration at a deeper level. I gained an even greater appreciation for the voices of young people, for the responsibility of building creative spaces, and for the importance of giving people not just inspiration, but real opportunity. The project changed me by pushing me to think even bigger about legacy, what it means to create with purpose, and how art can be both emotionally healing and professionally transformative," said Sykes.
Sykes hopes that exhibition visitors walk away feeling the humanity of Chicago in a deeper way and with a stronger sense that their communities are filled with brilliance.
"I want them to see this project is not just about music or visuals -- it is about memory, identity, struggle, beauty and possibility. When young people are given the right support, they can create work that is honest, moving and powerful. I also hope the experience encourages people to think about collaboration differently. This project shows that art can be a vehicle for education, healing and economic empowerment, not just expression alone," said Sykes.
Sykes is grateful for his time at Saint Xavier, which helped shape him as both an artist and a thinker.
"It gave me space to explore ideas, develop my voice, and understand that creativity could carry intellectual, emotional and social weight. SXU helped me see that my work did not have to fit into one box -- I could be an artist, a community builder, an educator and an entrepreneur all at once," said Sykes.
Sykes's SXU experience helped him to become more reflective about why he creates, and the foundation he built at SXU has stayed with him in his career as he has built programs, led workshops, developed artists, and created projects that connect art with community impact. He looks back fondly on his time at SXU and the friendships he still maintains today.
"Moments like the annual art shows, the Opus [art and literally magazine] publications, my co-starring role in 'El Capitan and the Opera,'and exhibitions such as 'Unconventional Conversations' reminded me that my voice mattered and that my work could spark dialogue. What I remember most is the feeling of discovery -- being in an environment where I was not just making work but beginning to understand what my work meant and what it could do in the world," said Sykes.
Sykes spent his time at SXU very involved with the campus arts community. He was also a part of the University Chorale, which gave him a chance to expand his musical acumen by singing in different languages. He found that the experiences helped him to build confidence in presenting his ideas publicly and engaging with other creatives in an academic setting.
Since graduating from SXU, Sykes has dedicated himself to building opportunities for the next generation of artists and creative professionals in Chicago. He is the founder of Unchained Genius and ISPro Academy, where he focuses on music production, artist development, royalty education and music business training. He has taught students through organizations like Hyde Park Art Center and Chicago West Community Center, and he has developed partnerships with institutions such as the Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
"Everything I've been doing has been centered around helping artists not only create but also understand the business, ownership and long-term value of their work," said Sykes.
Sykes hopes to continue expanding the impact of ISPro Academy and Unchained Genius while building a stronger creative ecosystem in Chicago. He plans to create more pathways for young people and emerging artists to access high-level music education, business knowledge, mentorship, and industry opportunities and continue producing meaningful artistic work that tells stories in ways that are innovative, emotionally honest and community-centered.
"Saint Xavier is part of my artistic foundation. The seeds of the work I'm doing now were planted during my time there. As I continue building a sustainable and thriving music industry in Chicago, where creativity can truly become a pathway to empowerment, I carry that foundation with me. I'm grateful to be able to return to this moment and reflect on how far the journey has come."