Pawns to players

Pawns to Players is a multi-generational documentary and creative research project by Greensboro-based artist-scholar Steven M. Cozart that explores the strategic decisions Black men make as they navigate American social landscapes. Through oral histories, portraiture, documentary practices, and community engagement, the project examines the “logistics of survival” and the wisdom passed between generations of Black boys and men.

Spanning four generations of participants ages 14 to 80, Pawns to Players documents the lived experiences, challenges, and strategies employed by sixteen “strategic consultants” whose stories will inform a new body of multidisciplinary artwork and a culminating public exhibition.

about the creative

steven m. cozart

Steven M. Cozart is a Greensboro-based documentarian, artist, and scholar whose multidisciplinary practice investigates colorism, texturism, identity, and perceptions of Black masculinity and femininity. A recipient of the prestigious Dorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize, Cozart’s work has been exhibited at major institutions, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, and is archived in Duke University’s Rubenstein Library. Building on his experience as a Brightwork Fellow and founder of the Chop Shop Artists Collective, his work bridges portraiture, documentary storytelling, and sculptural assemblage to create powerful explorations of identity and community.

As part of Tannenbaum Made (TM), Cozart will use the Center as a research and production hub, inviting campus and community members into the creative process through open studios, conversations over chess, public screenings, and collaborative dialogue.

Project Highlights

Multi-generational documentary research featuring oral histories from Black boys and men ages 14-80
Public open studios offering insight into the project’s development and methodologies
Community chess gatherings that use chess as a framework for discussing strategy, decision-making, and resilience

New multidisciplinary artwork combining portraiture, documentary practices, and sculptural assemblage
Public film screenings and conversations designed to foster dialogue across campus and community audiences
Engagement with black male empowerment networks from UNCG and North Carolina A&T State University

community engagement

The project invites the public to participate in its development through a series of events and conversations, including:

Open Studio & Stakeholder Conversations

Black Male Empowerment Network Gatherings with UNC Greensboro and NC A&T

Ongoing chess conversations, public workshops, and research activities throughout the residency

community impact

Pawns to Players creates space for intergenerational dialogue, visibility, and reflection by documenting the experiences of Black men across multiple generations. Through art, storytelling, research, and community participation, the project fosters greater understanding of resilience, identity, mentorship, and the strategic choices that shape lives and communities.

EVENTS + Open studios

PAWNS TO PLAYERS CALENDAR

Open Studio: Steve Cozart, Pawns to Players

Join us for an open studio with Steve Cozart, one of our 2026–2027 Tannenbaum Made Residents. During these special studio visits, guests are invited to connect with Steve, experience his work as it develops, and gain insight into his artistic process. Whether you're an artist, student, or simply curious, we... Continue reading...

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Nov 20, 2026 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tannenbaum Made: Steven Cozart hosts movie Fresh (1994)

Steven Cozart introduces his Tannenbaum Made residency: Pawns to Players with an introduction to and screening of the Boaz Yakin film, Fresh. The 1994 crime drama film Fresh features a young drug runner named Michael, nicknamed "Fresh" (played by Sean Nelson), who uses the chess strategies taught by his speed-chess... Continue reading...

Free

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Nov 20, 2026 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Open Studio: Steve Cozart, Pawns to Players

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Jan 15, 2027 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

OPERATING HOURS

Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday and Saturday: Open for events only. View the calendar for details.
Closed Sundays and Holidays

Jeanne Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice

Location: 842 West Gate City Blvd., GSO, NC 27403
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 26170, GSO, NC 27402
Email: tannenbaum@uncg.edu