The Vanguard Artist Collective is a semi-formal nod to pioneering Chicago-based black art collectives like the Organization of Black American Culture and AfriCOBRA, which were founded during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

“We push each other to be better artists and better people — even when it’s critical,” says Rucker.

Noriyuki Misawa designed and created a shoe inspired by a violin, and Donald Kilpatrick carved the soles in keeping with the musical theme.