UnderTone Music and Fine Arts: Reviving the Creative Spirit in Kokomo
A new wave of creativity is set to sweep through Kokomo with the launch of the UnderTone Music and Fine Arts program, a partnership between the Carver Center and the nonprofit organization H.A.R.T. To Heart (Helping Achieve Reality Together). Founded by Pastor Wendell Brown, UnderTone was born out of a deep love for the arts and a desire to honor the legacy of local musicians throughout Kokomo’s history.
Photo from the Launch of UnderTone | Provided by Carver Community Center
“I am part of the Carver Center revitalization, and I believe in what’s going on there. I’m a product of the Carver Center, I went to kindergarten there, matter of fact the very room UnderTone is housed in was my kindergarten room, so it just makes sense,” said Brown.
Brown, who has witnessed the loss of many talented artists within the community, envisioned UnderTone as a way to reignite the fire of music and art in Kokomo’s next generations. His mission is to create a space where people of all ages can explore their creative potential and carry on the vibrant artistic traditions that have shaped Kokomo’s cultural landscape.
UnderTone is open to everyone, offering weekly lessons in a wide range of artistic disciplines, including drawing, creative dance, vocals, keyboard, drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, woodwind instruments and more. The program is designed to be accessible and inclusive, welcoming participants of all skill levels—from beginners to seasoned artists looking to refine their craft.
What makes UnderTone truly special is its commitment to community and its emphasis on passing down artistic knowledge to future generations. Brown’s vision is to not only teach technical skills but also to inspire a deep, lasting appreciation for the arts that will continue to grow within the Kokomo community.
Brown said the Carver Community Center, a longstanding hub of community engagement, is the perfect home for this initiative. Through its partnership with Hart To Heart, the center is providing a space where UnderTone can flourish and make a meaningful impact on the lives of participants.
To encourage widespread participation, UnderTone is offering the entire month of September for free, allowing families and individuals to experience the program without any financial barriers. This trial period is an opportunity for the community to come together and explore the transformative power of the arts. After that, there will be an affordable monthly fee for a one-night-a-week class.
“We’re excited to see a rebirth of musicians to meet a greater need to develop the arts,” said JC Barnett III, executive director at Carver Community Center.
For more information about UnderTone Music and Fine Arts and how to get involved email undertonefinearts24@gmail.com.