A Saint Xavier University graduate is returning to a familiar and meaningful stage on Chicago’s South Side with a new project that reflects both his artistic growth and his roots in the city.
Brian Sykes, a 2014 alum who studied graphic design, is debuting “I Heard the City Breathe” at the Beverly Arts Center. The exhibition runs from April 6 through May 1, with a reception set for April 11. Sykes describes the presentation as more than an exhibition, calling it “a deeply meaningful homecoming.”
The project takes shape as a short film and gallery-style exhibition rooted in the Black experience of Chicago. Through visual art, music and storytelling, it reflects what Sykes describes as “the emotional, cultural, and historical realities of the city while honoring the voices of the communities that continue to shape it.” The work brings together youth, adult artists and community collaborators in an intergenerational reflection on identity, memory and creative legacy.
Sykes’ connection to the project traces back to his time at Saint Xavier University, where he said many of the early foundations of his work were formed. He arrived at the university still learning how to process his experiences growing up on Chicago’s South Side, surrounded by “pain, trauma, beauty, culture, and contradiction.” He said his time at the university helped him begin translating those experiences into artistic language and encouraged him to trust his voice and embrace vulnerability.
Mentorship played a central role in that development. Faculty members Nathan Peck, Monte Gerlach, Cathy Saunders and Jane Hileman guided him through the artistic and emotional process of creating personal work. Music professor Jan Bickel helped him reconnect with confidence in his musical expression, while production specialist Michael Grimm encouraged him to think across disciplines and explore multiple forms of creative output. Sykes said their support was not only academic but also personal and life-shaping.
Out of that period came his 2014 series “Inner-City Madness,” one of his earliest bodies of work addressing the impact of poverty, trauma and inner-city violence on Black children and families in Chicago. That series, which drew from his own psychological experiences, became a foundational step in defining his artistic voice. It was later exhibited as his first solo show at the Beverly Arts Center, an experience Sykes said marked an important moment of affirmation in his career.
“Returning now with I Heard The City Breathe would represent a full-circle moment,” Sykes said, noting the significance of presenting new work in the same space that first supported his early career.
Since graduating, Sykes has expanded his practice across music, education, mentorship and creative entrepreneurship. He worked with Marlon King at Insomniac Studios, where he developed skills in music production, project management, artist development and the business side of the industry. Together, they co-founded ISPro Academy, an organization focused on providing pathways for emerging creatives to learn audio engineering, music production and music business while gaining access to mentorship and real-world opportunities.
His work has led to collaborations with organizations including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Hyde Park Art Center, among others. These partnerships have included composing original music for a string ensemble performance, leading workshops on audio engineering and contributing to professional development programs that support emerging artists.
All of those experiences come together in “I Heard the City Breathe,” which is supported by the DCASE Individual Artist Grant and the Illinois Arts Council Creative Catalyst Grant. Sykes said the project is both a personal statement and a collective offering that highlights themes of memory, struggle, beauty, survival and creative legacy.
Presenting the exhibition at the Beverly Arts Center allows Sykes to revisit the place that first gave his work a public platform while sharing how his practice has evolved. He said the goal is to honor the mentors and institutions that shaped his path while also creating an experience that offers younger artists and audiences a chance to engage with work grounded in collaboration, truth and the lived experience of Chicago communities.