Artist

Alexis Janay is a rising artist who creates vibrant and colorful artwork that celebrates the beauty and regality of black culture. Alexis has been honing her skills in illustration and painting since childhood.

As her style grows and changes, she is most inspired by the varied experiences of black women and the exploration of heritage within the African and Native American diaspora with a vibrant and imaginative touch. She is also endlessly inspired by the vintage garments, head wraps, jewelry, and makeup worn by the people she sees in her everyday life and wants to help celebrate their beauty on a larger scale. Color is also a huge aspect in her paintings that she is sure to incorporate into each piece.

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Jewelry Artist

A native Washingtonian Brenda began making jewelry as a hobby in 1993. During that time, her collection only included earrings until co-workers and friends requested matching bracelets and necklaces. The positive response encouraged Brenda to begin making and selling jewelry part-time primarily using natural gemstones, sterling silver, copper and African brass in the designs. Let It BE Boutique opened in early 2012 in the Historic Occoquan, Virginia.

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Fashion Designer

Designer Extraordinaire, Carolyn is the seventh daughter of the seven sewing Wilbourn Sisters. Taught the trade by her loving mother, a master seamstress, she and her sister Janice own the Wilbourn Sisters designer boutique in Atlanta & Los Angeles.

Her fabric choices add to the elegance of her designs, silks, linens, and tapestries showcase several of her designer originals. She has chosen to recycle distressed denim mixed with modern day tuxedo styles jackets, waistcoats with peplums, bottoms and a fabulous high-low wrap jacket. She also creates funky denim bags and original hats for all occasions, made of woven tapestries with matching jackets.

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Mixed Media Artist

Curtis studied Commercial Art and earned an Associate Degree at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia. As a mixed media collage painter, Curtis draws inspiration from historical connection points that join together individuals, families, generations and communities. He creates highly textured and intricately detailed original art pieces that are intended to breathe new life into and enhance the unique characteristics of a common historical heritage.

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Handbag Designer

The “Official Bag Ladies” is a company that was started by Dana Hicks-Hungerford & April Dodd in September 2021. Their brand is “YOU MAKE THE BAG.” Dana is the visionary and April is the artist.

All of their bags are hand painted using an array of colors & splattered patterns. They pride themselves on finding different style purses, so that the rare & unique flavor of their brand is constantly evolving in the fashion world.

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Artist

David W. M. Cassidy is a published writer, a published artist. He is a self-taught artist who has had no formal artistic education post high school.  His medium of choice is oil painting. He is known for a cubist abstractionist style, the boldness of expression and attention to details of color and composition in his paintings. His artwork is owned by over 60 collectors through the United States and Africa. Author of, The Art of My Life, Blurb.com, and he has designed artwork for United Methodist Publishing House VBS projects; African Methodist Episcopal Church Devotionals, book covers, etc. 

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Mixed Media Artist

Dion J. Pollard aka artist DionJa’Y is a Washington, DC native. DionJa’Y found his love in acrylic paintings, oil paintings, pastel paintings, pencil, ink, dabbling in digital painting.

His own style explores various techniques, but his message remains the same. Through his work, DionJa’Y seeks to make things right in the world. His goal is to paint to correct any negativity in the world through his work, steers away from painting war, pain, and tears. Dionja'y's work celebrates life, happiness and hope.

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Artist

Dwayne Alistair has been a professional artist since 2001. His creative journey began with writing, having his first poem published at the age of 12 in a local Brooklyn-based magazine sponsored by the Superintendent of Schools at the time. Over the years, Dwayne has branched out into various forms of creative expression.

His diverse experiences have led him to complete and publish three books: One Bright Day in the Middle of the Night, Trinity, God, and All the Rest , and Prometheus the Gemini .

As a musician, Dwayne enjoys the freedom to create and regularly releases new tracks on Spotify and Apple Music, including his recent hits “Millionaire Beat (Official),”“Keep Building,” and “1st Bass.” His journey as an artist continues to evolve as he embraces learning and growth in every aspect of his craft.

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Multimedia Artist

Eileen Cave, residing in the Gateway Arts District recently retired from teaching and is now the arts in education coordinator for PGAHC.

She produces limited edition lithographic prints, cards and paintings that reflect the power of the family and the contemporary African American experience. Eileen also creates "Paper Doll Greeting Cards" and Egg art on wooden eggs to reflect a ride range of colorful design products.

She has two artistic themes in her work- colorful crowd scenes in her "Celebration of Life" series, acrylic on canvas, and "Thought Medallions," which are mixed media collages. Her public art installations included painting a Pandamania panda bear sculpture program for the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities.

She has led the development of community-based arts education programs a priority for her advocacy efforts. She concentrates on integrating the social justice standards into existing curriculum, and offers related PD for teachers, artists and the community on “Activating ARTivism.”

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Glass and Multimedia Artwork

The Washington Glass Studio is focused on providing Public Art projects and private commissions incorporating glass as a sculptural element and through collaboration with artists working in different media.

The Studio brings together Washington Area sculptors, increasing the opportunities of individual and collaborative sculptural work and creating venues for public interaction with the art. This includes all forms and techniques of glass along with metal, concrete, lighting, electronics, architecture and other sculptural media.

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Artist & Graphic Designer

A Washington, D.C. native, Kia Kelliebrew is a traditional painter and graphic designer that plays by her own rules.

With a love for drawing and creating since childhood, she went on to graduate from art school with her BFA in Fine Arts & Graphic Design. Beginning her career at Sister 2 Sister Magazine, establishing a path of notable media and blogging credentials. Later moving on to design ad campaigns and various visual art assets for celebrities and corporate brands such as Forever 21, Discovery Channel, Mary Kay and many other top level companies.

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Mosaic Artist

Kia Paxton, a Prince George’s County native, is a mixed media mosaic artist and a former high school art teacher for PGCPS. In 2014, Kia began assisting mosaic artist Valerie Theberge, where her interest in mosaic art peaked.

In 2018, she began creating her own body of work that focuses on mental health, HIV/AIDS awareness, the feeling of being Black in America, & the process of growth and healing. Since the start of her mosaic career, Kia has been in 5 exhibitions, has received an award, and has had several personal commissions.

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Craft Artisan

CoCoXO began in April 2020, out of the global pandemic when Kim Brown was on lockdown with the rest of the country. With extra time on her hands, Kim chose to follow her heart and learn the soaping process, handcrafting cured vegan soaps and gifting them to her friends and family as a way to spread love.

CocoXO now boasts artisan soaps in over eight unique scents, as well as whipped body butters and candles, perfect for women, men, and all scent loving people alike! CocoXO is featured in several storefronts on the east coast including Target and Amazon.

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Mixed Media Artist

Kimberly Saunders is a mixed media artist, residing in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She creates pieces using glass, semi-precious stone, and handmade / recycled / repurposed materials.

Kimberly’s process often begins with the selection of eye-catching tesserae. As she scans materials, she "sees" the tesserae arranging to form designs. She’s inspired by everyday people, places, and things - especially her love of flowers. Each piece contains hundreds of painstakingly hand-cut, filed, and arranged tesserae. Once the tesserae is fixed to the substrate, it's time to grout. Once cured, the grout is sealed for added durability for a work of art that can be passed down from generation to generation.

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Abstract Artist

A Baltimore native, Laurence Chandler is a recognized figure in Contemporary Abstract Expressionism, is known for his improvisational and spontaneous techniques.

His abstract paintings, like free-form jazz and poetry, suggest human emotions, a narrative, experience or drama, and invite viewers to become interwoven in his art.

Chandler’s works are featured in private and public collections nationwide, including galleries in the DC-metro area, Memphis, TN, and Oakland, CA.

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Ceramic Artist

Leathia West is a ceramic artist who began her love of clay when a beloved high school teacher exchanged pottery lessons for babysitting. With immense appreciation for teachers, she was inspired to teach middle school ceramics for more than 20 years. Also a psychotherapist, Leathia has helped countless children and their families when they’ve needed it most. A political chapter emerged for her over the past decade, promoting heavy involvement as an activist in Maryland and national politics. Leathia takes great pride in founding The Kindness Corps, a service-oriented organization, providing opportunities for volunteers to serve.

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Mixed Media Artist

Leslie Holt is a mixed media artist, educator, and mental health advocate. She exhibits internationally and is represented by David Lusk Gallery in Memphis. Leslie has taught college and in community locations for over 15 years.

She is the creator of Neuro Blooms, a project which uses art to make mental health conditions visible and beautiful. Neuro Blooms partners with organizations on their mental health awareness efforts and so far the project has had a presence in the US, UK, and The Netherlands.

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Promoting artists that depict African Diaspora culture in the genres of literature, visual & performing arts.

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Crafts & Cards

Lori Held is a neuroscientist and artist in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Using acrylic paint and ink, her artwork showcases the naturalistic elements of abstract art.

Her pour painting techniques provide powerful examples of fluid dynamics, color layering and visual texture while employing diverse and energetic color palettes. Dr. Held also teaches classes on pour painting in her local community.

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Artist & Muralist

Artist and activist Luther Wright challenges the boundaries of traditional painting, as he merges formal and modern techniques to create his own genre of art.

An explorer of the visual arts, his style is to have no style at all, takes a fluid approach to his work, incorporating various styles of art, even as his signature bold linework and color shine through. Luther explores new ways to use color, texture and strives to create interesting compositions within his work. He draws inspiration from everyday situations, social media, the youth, as well as visions from his dream/meditative state.

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Artist

Marie Antoinette is the creator of the Mariposa Collective, which celebrates individuality, diversity, and inclusion.

She describes herself as someone whose love language is the intersection between art and fashion. A native New Englander, she is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts who has always used fashion as an artistic form of personal expression.

This has led to the natural evolution of her design aesthetics which include but are not limited to: clothing, jewelry, handbags, and textiles. Her extensive international travels have given her a global perspective which informs how she expresses herself through her work.

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Abstract Artist

Mary Faye Claggett is an abstract artist and global cancer researcher currently residing in Clinton, MD.

She began creating in 2018, after her father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. She needed an activity to relax her nerves in the evening while traveling back and forth to John's Hopkins taking her father to chemotherapy.

She started acrylic pour painting and quickly got addicted. While many other artists do acrylic pouring, Claggett has a slight advantage as she has a degree in Chemistry, allowing her to understand how to create unique designs through utilizing different materials in her work. In addition to working on canvas, she also has created tables, sealing her acrylic pours with resin for a functional work of art.

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Craft Artisan

Tranquil Islands features high quality products, resources and services that support wellness and empowerment. Dr. Samuel consciously crafts her candles in small batches, incorporating fragrances that will transport you to exotic islands.

Many of the products are inspired by her childhood experiences growing up on the island of Grenada, and her passion for excellence and supporting others in experiencing mental wellness.

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Portrait Artist

Roger James is a portrait artist out of Riverdale in Prince George’s County, MD. He has been painting for over 20 years.

Specializing in figurative oil paintings, James largely depicts noted figures of society, particularly in the sports & entertainment genres. James has painted Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, among others.

Mr. James is also a self-published Children's book illustrator. His Pecan series, "Pecan Runs for Class President" and "Pecan's Field Day" are currently available on Ingram Sparks & Amazon in hardback and paperback. James currently takes commissioned pieces, expertly executing the likenesses of his patrons.

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Mixed Media Artist

Sharon is a mixed media artist specializing in abstract collage and assemblage, currently residing in the Washington, DC area.

As an artist she exhibits in the DC region, as well as other east and west coast cities. Her work is in the collections of Prince George's County, Montgomery County and the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, as well as those of numerous private parties. Sharon teaches mixed media and collage classes in the Smithsonian Associates Studio Arts Program, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, and other venues in the metropolitan area, as well as in her studio.

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Multidisciplinary Artist

Dr. Yemonja Smalls is multidisciplinary artist with very little formal artistic training. Yemonja’s mixed media creations in various mediums have been exhibited in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the Frederick Douglass Issac-Meyers Maritime Museum, Hill Center Galleries, on the set of the famous Fox Hit TV show “Empire”, Harold Washington Library, South Side Community Art Center, Howard University, the Sojourner Family Peace Center among others, and reside in various private collections across the nation.

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