UpperClass OG invites the community to the opening reception of “Eternal Providence” art exhibit at Cane Roots Art Gallery in downtown Christiansted Friday.
Carl-Michael “CJ” James is the founder of the UpperClass OG [Organic] movement and its brand. He and his partners, Isobelle Yousef and Yirakmeal “Rako” Henry, are alumni of St. Croix Central High School, where they launched their brand in 2014 by creating tie-dye shirts. The three are proud products of the public schools on St. Croix.
“We added more depth and more designs to shirts, hoodies and pants. Our collective contributions are all sorts of mixed media in all realms of art,” CJ said.
The official starting date for the partnership is Aug. 1, 2017, chosen to honor James’s younger brother Zion James, who died on that day. The three members of UpperClass OG became more established in 2019-2020, after their return home from college.
UpperClass OG can be found online at their website, on Instagram and Facebook, and at local pop-ups: Mango Melee, the Agriculture Food Fair, and on the roadside in Sunny Isle on Fridays, Henry shared.
“We’re also at the Christmas and Pate Festivals; we can always be found popping up. We’re better in person where we’re more appreciated. CJ and Rako are farmers and are in their element with their plants at the Agriculture Section at the Fair,” Yousef said.
“We don’t offer our farming services on our website, but if someone wants to start a farm or a simple garden, we can do that with herbs like basil, chives, rosemary, oregano and other plants,” Henry added.
The partners spoke about the philosophies they all share with the incorporation of agriculture. They blend agriculture with their brand, they said. There are certain designs in their clothes that stem from their brand, which is synonymous with agriculture and nature, James said.
The two designs that are most popular are the Farma Boy and Farma Lady hoodies with an ear of corn design on the front.
According to Yousef, the services are always there to be provided, as well. “Even beyond that, we bring plants to the major events and the pop-ups.”
“We don’t have bee boxes, but we do facilitate the pollination of bees with our plants. We have a 0.5-acre farm with passion fruit vines growing on the perimeter of the fencing. The famous Bee Man on St. Croix said whenever we’re ready, he will help us start raising bees. We help the bees do their work with our plants,” Henry said.
One of their shirts incorporates a bee design.
At the exhibit, there will be a greenhouse/garden area to touch on that form of art that is relevant to UpperClass OG. This will show patrons what the partnership is and what they’re into, Yousef shared. “When they walk in the gallery, they will see all of the local plants we have grown on the farm. The walls will showcase the photographs and paintings – the major pieces we have created. There will be a short video presented at 7 p.m.”
“They will taste a sample of the drinks we’ve created from the herbs and plants we grow — basil, lemongrass, and hibiscus — each flavor,” Henry told the Source.
As for their inventory, they hold onto an adequate amount at all times. They boast 150 designs and all are 100% UpperClass OG.
“All partners are involved in the process. We all participate in photography and videography, and we are a very well-rounded, all-star team. Everyone is involved with all of the partnership for the most part. It is a melting pot with all of our hands in it,” James said.
During the Source interview, the three were asked how they got along in their partnership. In her wisdom, Yousef offered the following: “Not every day the sun is out; sometimes it rains. Overall, we’re very loyal to the mission and we always find a good meeting ground with that kind of mentality. We know where we want to be and we understand the challenges of life. Everything is a challenge. It’s just how you handle it and how you return from that challenge. That’s what we try to keep in mind.”
This is the first exhibit for UpperClass OG. They invite the community to come to the opening reception of “Eternal Providence” Friday, June 6, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come beyond the reception during regular hours, Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., and walk around the gallery before the closing date of Friday, June 13.
UpperClass OG hopes to host “Artist Talks” during the week. They want to engage the community, stimulate people, invite them over to talk, and share the video and good vibrations. The three-to-five-minute video will be shown at 7 p.m., opening night.
For more information:
upperclassog.com
canerootsartgallery.com
canerootsartgallery@gmail.com
Call the gallery: 340-718-4929
St. Croix Source
Arts-Entertainment, Exhibitions, Local news
