Fallen Angel by Louis Delsarte from the NAAMCC Art Collection
In Memoriam LOUIS DELSARTE
Sept. 1, 1944–May 2, 2020
The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center pays tribute to the artistic legacy of artist Louis Delsarte. He was a prolific and influential creative who shared his passion with audiences and artists worldwide.
We were honored to have Mr. Delsarte serve as a judge of our 2019 Art of Soul! Juried Art Show. He also allowed us to use the image of his seminal work, Fallen Angel, as the Art of Soul! logo. Fallen Angel is an integral part of NAAMCC’s extensive art collection.
WELCOME TO THE JURIED ART SHOW
Welcome to the 10th anniversary of the Art of Soul! Juried Art Show.
We are excited to reach this milestone in our history. Art of Soul! has exhibited 642 works of art from 342 local, national, and international artists. We have been honored to work with 25 nationally acclaimed artists, educators, and museum professionals who served as jurors.
We want to acknowledge the contributions of our colleagues from the African American Visual Arts Guild of Dayton. They collaborated with us to create a space to recognize the perspectives of Black creators. From 2011 to 2018, we worked together to create the show, then entitled Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms
I must recognize our team at the NAAMCC, who have worked tirelessly to grow and improve the show. They would not give up serving the Black artistic community, even during the pandemic. Their passion makes me proud to lead our team.
We want to thank all the 2024 Art of Soul artists and jurors for their excellent work and dedication. We are grateful to the Art of Soul! artists who have donated their pieces to the NAAMCC art collection so their work can be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.
This year’s Art of Soul! Juried Art Show is our best one yet! We appreciate your continuing support of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center do, both seen and unseen by the public.
Here’s to another 10 years!
Charles A. Wash, Jr., Ph.D. Director
National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center
LEGACY AWARD
Willis “Bing” Davis
We are excited to announce that Willis “Bing” Davis has been selected as our first recipient of the Art of Soul! Juried Art Show Legacy Award. We are introducing the new Legacy Award to commemorate our 10-year anniversary and to honor a master artist who has been a driving force in the African American arts community.
Mr. Davis’s artistic vision and teaching have inspired a generation of artists and young people for more than 40 years. His reach has gone far beyond Dayton, elevating his national and international influence and connections. He has served as a mentor and teacher to countless artists and youths who have stood on his shoulders to pursue their own careers as artists, mentors and teachers.
Mr. Davis has provided invaluable fellowship and support to the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, and multiple museums and arts organizations around the world. His contributions to our history, programming and collections over the years have bolstered our state and national reputation since we opened in 1988.
We are honored to lift up the legacy of Willis “Bing” Davis to not only our community, but also artists and audiences throughout the African and African American diaspora!
BIOGRAPHY
Willis “Bing” Davis was born in Greer, South Carolina but grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from DePauw University in 1959. He attended the Dayton Art Institute and later received his Master of Education in 1967 from Miami University. Davis also pursued graduate study at Indiana State University from 1975-1976. His career as an educator includes teaching in the Dayton Public School System; DePauw and Miami Universities; and twenty years at Central State University (CSU). At CSU, Mr. Davis was the Chair of the Art Department and Director of the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center. He has served as an artist-in-residence for the School of Education at the University of Dayton and visiting scholar at Wright State University.
Davis’s record as an artist and a curator is equally illustrious, including exhibitions at Studio Museum of Harlem, American Craft Museum, Renwick Gallery, Maryland Institute College of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, Anacostia Museum, National Museum of Art of Senegal West Africa, United States Embassy Accra, Ghana and Museum fur Angewandte Kunst in Germany. His art can be found in public and private collections in the United States and globally.
Bing’s 40-plus years of creative and innovative teaching resulted in his receiving state, national and international acclaim, including Ohio Art Educator of the Year, Individual Artist of the Year, Ohio Designer Craftsman of the year, Ohioana Pegasus Award in 2001, and the Ohio Governor’s Irma Lazarus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, the highest art award given in the state of Ohio.
He participated in the recent Stop Asking: We Exist exhibition of African American craft art at the Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh and was curator for the groundbreaking exhibition by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Uncommon Beauty in Common Objects: The Legacy of African American Craft Art.
Since retiring from teaching in 1998, he opened the Davis Art Studio and EbonNia Gallery in the historic Dayton, Ohio Wright-Dunbar Business District and community art and cultural activities are coordinated through SHANGO: Center for the Study of African American Art and Culture
2024 Art of Soul! Juried Art Show
Past Art of Soul! artists (left to right):
Bamazi Talle, Queens Brooks and Willis “Bing” Davis
THE JURORS FOR 2024 Art of Soul!
Steve R. Allen is an internationally recognized artist known for his bold use of color and myriad styles. His work hangs in many prestigious art collections from Athens, Greece to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Beijing, China as “official” artist for the U.S. Olympic Committee.
In 2013, the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture acquired four of Steve’s paintings as part of its Founding and Permanent Collection. Allen was also honored in 2019 to have two of his original paintings acquired by the Atlanta University Center. In 2020, Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library acquired his papers.
Chenoa Baker is a curator, wordsmith, and descendant of self-emancipators. She was the Associate Curator at ShowUp, an adjunct at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and a consultant on Gio Swaby: Fresh Up at PEM and Touching Roots: Black Ancestral Legacies. In 2023, she received the Association Internationale des Critiques D ‘Art Young Art Critics Prize.
Currently, she teaches African American Craft History at the James Renwick Alliance. She edits several arts publications including Pigment Magazine, The National Gallery of Art, Boston Public Art Triennial, and The Corning Museum of Glass. She writes for Hyperallergic, The Brooklyn Rail, Public Parking, Material Intelligence, and Studio Potter
SPECIAL THANKS
Michelle Brandt, Founder & Owner of Brandt-Roberts Galleries, is a dedicated arts leader and advocate in the Columbus community. She served for six years on the Short North Alliance’s board and as the Short North Art’s District’s public art chair.
Brandt has juried numerous exhibitions, including the Columbus College of Art’s Design’s Biennial Art Fair and the Springfield Museum of Art’s Annual Juried Members Exhibition. In 2020, she curated an exhibition of 50 veteran portraits at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. She has served as a committee member for the Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center Art Gallery, a mentor for the Latina Mentoring Academy (ELLA), and a juror for the 614Beautiful city program.
STEVE R. ALLEN
CHENOA BAKER
MICHELLE BRANDT
2024 Art of Soul! Juried Art Show
67 PIECES OF ART | 46 ARTISTS
Maryam Adib Ithaca, New York
Brittany Alston Charleston, South Carolina
Sarah Andreas Strasburg, Ohio
Deb Baillieul Columbus, Ohio
Tom Baillieul Columbus, Ohio
Peyton Black Washington Court House, Ohio
Dantrel Boone Cypress, Texas
Karen Brame Dayton, Ohio
P. Muzi Branch Richmond, Virginia
Louis Burroughs, Jr. Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Thomas Burroughs, Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio
Ricky Calloway Warner Robbins, Georgia
Eugene Campbell Decatur, Georgia
Ora Clay Oakland, California
Don Coulter Dublin, Ohio
Tara Coyt Atlanta, Georgia
Clifford Darrett Dayton, Ohio
Sandra Davis Gaithersburg, Maryland
Felicia Greenlee Seneca, South Carolina
Yahfa Guerra Columbus, Ohio
Georgette Hardy Edwards Walton, Kentucky
Morris Howard Dayton, Ohio
Natalie Jackson Peoria, Illinois
Evelyn Oliver Knight Waterbury, Connecticut
Kevin Knuckles Maple Heights, Ohio
Kenia LaMarr Columbus, Ohio
KNyame Maison Groveland, Illinois
Veronica Mays Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Janice “Ecinja” McCaskill Quincy, Florida
AdaObinna Moore Columbus, Ohio
Jay Morgan Columbus, Ohio
Joyce Morrow Jones South Euclid, Ohio
Hannah Mosley Columbus, Ohio
Jack Nixon Wilmette, Illinois
Onzie Norman Detroit, Michigan
Tameka Phillips Macon, Georgia
Mya Roach Columbus, Ohio
Delayna Robbins Cary, North Carolina
Ky Smiley Columbus, Ohio
Wendell Smith Stone Mountain, Georgia
Ingrid Smith Cincinnati, Ohio
Melissa Sutherland Moss Massapequa, New York
nikki terry Bloomfield, New Jersey
Sabrina Thompson Superior Township, Michigan
Shirley Tucker Dayton, Ohio
Renee Wormack-Keels Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Ascent to Polaris
Maryam Adib
Quilts, with dyed muslin appliquéd onto batiked linen, dyed cotton felt clouds and iridescent thread
The installation Ascent to Polaris consists of two quilts (dyed cotton) and a set of mirrors between them. The quilts depict Black folks flying past the Big Dipper, towards the North Star. These quilts are inspired by African Diasporic folklore. During and after enslavement, Black folks spoke about seeing people fly. This folklore is kept alive today due to Slave narratives/the tradition of storytelling. These stories and many like it were told to keep hope alive. By making these quilts the centerpiece of the installation, I welcome the viewer to participate. As the viewer sits down, they are a part of the scene. In the set of mirrors, they see fragmented pieces of their reflection. By using several mirrors, I show the nature of stolen history and how it fragments us and our collective identities within the Black diaspora. By gathering the fragments of history, we piece it all together to build something beautiful, much like the process of quilting.
Maryam Adib currently lives in Ithaca, New York.
Recollection no. 8
Maryam Adib
Gouache, gel pen, acrylic, vellum and blueprint paper on black BFK paper
This painting is from the series Dream State, where I reflect on the layers of our consciousness and how our dreaming selves affect our waking selves. The layered portraits symbolize waking states and dreaming states, having them layered over top emphasizes the multilayered nature of our consciousness. The amount of blue portrait that is visible varies in each, as a way of showing the varying ways we relate to and can tap into our subconscious minds, person to person. The clothing for the top portrait is cut vellum, making it easy to see what layers underneath. Each painting has lush poppy flowers of varying types. Reflecting on how our brains release DMT while we dream, a chemical with psychedelic properties that can be found in certain medicinal plants. The ways our brains relate and mimic the natural world around us so deeply help us remember we are nature rather than believing we just exist in it.
Maryam Adib currently lives in Ithaca, New York.
Recollection no. 2
Maryam Adib
Gouache, gel pen, acrylic, vellum and blueprint paper on black BFK paper
In this work, I explore the relationship between the conscious/subconscious mind in relation to our dream worlds. The collective similarities and themes in them, beautiful reflections of our conscious waking minds and subconscious/dreaming minds. Often bringing together old/repressed memories, moments from our daily lives, ancestral knowledge, and visions and remedies for issues we’re facing. Reflecting on how a third of our days are spent sleeping, in a dream realm, tapping into parts of our minds that we don’t in typical waking life and how much of our brains aren’t consciously being used, speaks to how powerful dreams really are, like a window into our subconscious.
Maryam Adib currently lives in Ithaca, New York.
Sweetgrass Hand
Brittany Alston
Sweetgrass Hand shows a part of heritage connected to the Gullah Geechee culture. Sweetgrass basket weaving is a tradition and an occupation for some Geechee people. Gullah Geechee culture is a group of descendants of African slaves who inhabited the sea islands and coast from Wilmington NC to Jacksonville, FL, also known as the Gullah Geechee Corridor. However, the Gullah Geechee culture and land is disappearing because of gentrification by big corporations who are taking the land, which is erasing history. With this image, I hope to aid in bringing awareness to this social justice issue. Lastly, this image correlates with Black Joy because Geechee are very proud people who love their traditions alive and want to preserve their traditions.
Brittany Alston currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Photography
To Yourself
To Yourself is an image from my Black Girl Series. Often, our feelings are ignored. We are portrayed as “The Strong Black Woman.” But nevertheless, we are human. We cry, face disappointments, experience joy, depression, etc. I am trying to convey the negative feelings that life brings upon us in each image. Also, I would like for the viewers, especially black women, to know that it is all right to feel these emotions and it is acceptable to take time for themselves, to relax, to recharge.
Brittany Alston currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Brittany Alston
Photography
Unapologetically An Authority
Sarah Andreas
Mixed media finished with oil paint
Unapologetically An Authority is a testament to the exuberance of black joy, a 20”x20” mixed media oil painting that exudes vibrancy and empowerment. My creative process begins with a meditation on strength, which I translate onto the canvas with a rich tapestry of pinks and golds, colors that for me represent the life force and dignity of my subject. The intense gaze and noble bearing of the figure are born from deliberate, confident brushstrokes, while the surrounding floral aura emerges from a spontaneous interplay of textures. This process—a blend of intention and intuition—mirrors the painting’s celebration of self-assuredness. Every layer is a deliberate choice in my narrative of black joy, crafted to engage and inspire the observer. This artwork is not only a piece of my artistic journey, it’s an affirmation of confidence and the joyous authority of one’s own identity.
Sarah Andreas currently lives in Strasburg, Ohio.
The State Controls My Body
Tom Baillieul
Acrylic on canvas
Since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the Supreme Court, conservative legislatures across the country have passed laws removing women’s rights to bodily autonomy and restricting basic health care. These laws come down hardest on the poor, often women of color.
Tom Baillieul currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Banned Books: What Are They Afraid Of?
Deb Baillieul
Fiber
Banned Books... is a statement about the history that “some people” are trying to control and dictate. We learn from narratives—about our stories and others’ stories. Are we afraid, ashamed, or fearful of what has been done?
Hiding the stories will not make us whole. We need to look at all these books and more to really learn who we are as human beings.
Deb Baillieul currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
The Performer
Peyton Black
Paper collage
This piece is inspired by my emotional struggles growing up as a biracial girl in a predominately white rural community. I needed to constantly be performing to earn the same respect my white peers got just for being themselves. Is my personality truly who I am or the person I had to be to appease those around me?
Peyton Black currently lives in Washington Court House, Ohio.
Tobacco Road
Dantrel Boone
Latex and acrylic paint on canvas
This piece tells the story of the origins of the Big Tobacco Companies in America.
Dantrel Boone currently lives in Cypress, Texas.
CMS is GWOAT
Karen Brame
Mixed media
Heralded as “Greatest Woman Of All Time,” Claressa Maria Shields is a stellar model of Black Joy and grand icon of Social Justice. Leaning into the belief to excel, regardless of gender, instilled by her grandmother, her numerous accolades include being:
The 1st American woman to win a GOLD medal in boxing at the Olympics (2012);
The 1st American boxer to win a GOLD medal in consecutive Olympics (2012, 2016); and
1 of only 3 boxers in history to hold all major WORLD titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO—in 2 weight classes.
Her professional career of being undefeated as a boxer (12 – 0) and wins as a mixed-martial artist (2 -1) inspires immense pride.
However, it is her activism, such as her call for equity in natural resources for her home city of Flint, as well in professional pay, that elevates her to SHE-RO!
Viewers see my nod to her call for clean water, represented by cobalt hair woven into her braids. Blue tiles represent “falling shards” from “glass ceilings” of maledominated sports that she is shattering. Finally, the gem-encrusted “GWOAT” celebrates Claressa Maria Shields as one of the “AB-SOUL-UTE” best athletes in history!
My sculpture pieces include boxing gloves, human hair, paint, mosaic tiles, rhinestones, and wood. My inspiration for this piece, like all my others, comes to me in my dreams. I presume this entered due to my following of the career and mission of legendary fighter Ms. Claressa Shields. Her accomplishments are incredibly worthy of being lauded!
Aside from what is written in my statement, I want to share on my selection of the wood and gold paint underneath. I believe Ms. Shields is down-to-earth and enduring like the natural substance and that she shines like the precious metal, constantly improving and motivating others, especially youth who suffer being at risk with few opportunities to achieve. She actively and purposely supports her words with her actions!! #GWOAT
Karen Brame currently lives in Dayton, Ohio.
P. Muzi Branch
Acrylic paint and collage
P. Muzi Branch currently lives in Richmond, Virginia. N-word
This mixed media painting illustrates the frustration that we have, and that I believe Thurgood Marshall (RIP) would have, when it comes to the current Supreme Court. Justice Marshall was a champion for African American justice, wealth accumulation, educational opportunities, and civil privileges within American society. He was replaced by Clarence Thomas, who has worked to dismantle the legacy of Justice Marshall through his voting and questionable and seemingly corrupt behavior. Thomas exemplifies the old adage, “All skinfolk ain’t kinfolk.”
Yes He Can
P. Muzi Branch
Acrylic Paint, giclée, and collage on paper
This image of an African American mother carrying her son piggyback with the Obama pin on her jacket was created to empower, inspire, and uplift individuals from all backgrounds, particularly African Americans, by showcasing in this mixed media painting the rich history, resilience, and achievements of the African American community. Through this painting, I aim to encourage unity, celebrate diversity, and promote cultural understanding. By reflecting the journey of Africans in America, I strive to create a visual image that sparks conversations, fosters empathy, and drives positive change in society. The ultimate goal of this artwork is to ensure that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued, and to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world for all. I believe that socially and politically engaged art can break down barriers, challenge perceptions, and unite communities, paving the way for a brighter and more empathetic future.
P. Muzi Branch currently lives in Richmond, Virginia.
Katrina
I have explored Katrina as a subject since 2012. This painting is the last of a series. The first notice I received about Katrina was from the Toronto Star in Summer 2005 while living and traveling in southern Ontario. The Canadian reportage could not have been more different from how the catastrophe was written about in the US news. The foreign news reported women and children drowning in the streets of New Orleans while the white community was evacuated by boat into other white communities. The US newspapers accentuated black riots in the streets as they were escaping the flooding. The Katrina painting is a corrective measure to counter the narrative and to give a more accurate depiction. The colors are muted green, blue and gold, taken from imagination of a Black Madonna widespread across European and Egyptian religious lore. The background is a famous New Orleans cathedral at the site of Congo Square with fish swimming in the sky. Rather than bringing food in boats, rescuers brought umbrellas to both aid and celebrate, while the US President flew over in a plane.
Louis Burroughs, Jr. currently lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Louis Burroughs, Jr.
Oil on canvas
Bloody Sunday
Louis Burroughs, Jr.
Oil on canvas
The content of this painting came to my attention as far back as 1965 while a student at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was the vision of unarmed black people, women and children, being confronted with overwhelming force. I was weighing Mahatma Gandhi and Reverend Martin Luther King’s doctrine of nonviolent resistance against Black Nationalist armed resistance doctrine. As the number of Sundays of fires, blood and flames increased over the past decades, landscapes appeared useless.
It was then that Sundays, the day of rest, paintings materialized. The Selma Alabama Pettus Bridge, as a symbol of where black self-determination met overwhelming radicalized police force, and the ensuing struggles, seemed the perfect starting point
to create a work of art—even though African Americans turned what would have been a tragedy into a worldwide global victory, inspiring others to confront the same.
Louis Burroughs, Jr. currently lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Blackervisions
Thomas Burroughs, Jr.
Photographic collage
This is a response to the prompt, “What the USA means to me as a Black African American”: I dream of the apotheosis of GREATNESS and placed my face on the ‘great seal’.... the iconic image of a Black African American man, “I am USAMERICA, builders of the country.”
Thomas Burroughs, Jr. currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lucile
Ricky Calloway
Oil on canvas
This is an oil painting on canvas of my grandmother that shows her posing for me. I created this painting to pay homage to the things she liked to do before she joined the ancestors.
Ricky Calloway currently lives in Warner Robins, Georgia.
Show and Tell 1
Eugene Campbell
Oil on canvas board
Show and Tell is a series that includes two paintings that were inspired from real life experiences I encountered as an educator in the classroom. The first work addresses the need for young African American females to be comfortable and confident in their own skin. To recognize the joy of to be Black is to be Beautiful.
Eugene Campbell currently lives in Decatur, Georgia.
Show and Tell 2
Eugene Campbell
Oil on canvas board
Show and Tell is a series that includes two paintings that were inspired from real life experiences I encountered as an educator in the classroom. The second work in this series addresses the need for young African American males to see themselves reflected in spaces of heroism, professionalism, and success. The people portrayed in the painting that’s inside the painting show an alternative narrative to the one often presented in the news and media. History shows that black youth come from a lineage of great people who share the same skin color. Be unapologetic in your color and know that you are “Somebody”.
Eugene Campbell currently lives in Decatur, Georgia.
I Know My Worth
Ora Clay Textile
I Know My Worth is about confidence despite adversity. The beautiful smile is evidence that no one can define who we are unless we let them. So many times, interactions with law enforcement, participating in the educational system, and even with the everyday public, Black boys are stereotyped. They are labeled trouble and seen in a negative light without any evidence. This quilt is a reminder that I define who I am. This art quilt was inspired by a photo of a smiling boy. I used cotton fabrics, cotton and metallic threads, gold braid, and black and gold embellishments. It is raw-edge appliquéd, and machine quilted.
Ora Clay currently lives in Oakland, California.
Zen
Don Coulter
Leather, suede, denim, synthetic hair, wood, various fabric
Zen – She sits in a tranquil, natural setting, with music flowing along in the wind. Surrounded by symbols of peace, which includes the ancient swastika. Around for more than 5,000 years, in Sanskrit the swastika meant “well-being” and has been used by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains as well as Native Americans, long before its appropriation by the Nazi Party in the 1920s. Here, it is intended to express the original intent.
Don Coulter currently lives in Dublin, Ohio.
We’re
Going to Work It Out
Don Coulter
Leather, suede, synthetic hair, various fabrics
Black love is not always a fluid journey but a true test of faith, love and resolve to weather the storm through turbulent times. We’re Going to Work It Out is a story of a couple trying to find their way, overcoming racial injustice, systematic oppression, and life.
Don Coulter currently lives in Dublin, Ohio.
First Avenue Part 1: Circa 1930
Don Coulter
Leather, suede, denim, various fabric, wood, hair
First Avenue Part I: Circa 1930 is a depiction of neighborhood thriving after the Great Migration in hopes of achieving the American Dream. The streets are buzzing with life, business is flourishing, and the sense of family, pride and honor is present. The neighborhood is made up of a mixture of professionals, bluecollar workers, and entrepreneurs. In spite of the efforts of redlining and discrimination, life is good. Stay tuned for part II.
Don Coulter currently lives in Dublin, Ohio.
Tru Blu
Tara Coyt
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock at campaign organizer Rosaia Shephard’s home to express his gratitude, and she looks up in joy and admiration.
Tara Coyt currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photography
Women Of Color II
Clifford Darrett
Oil painting on stretched canvas
Three women of color, in colorful garb of their country, handmade, expressing their Black Joy of their heritage.
Clifford Darrett currently lives in Dayton, Ohio.
Mom’s Puzzles
Sandra Davis
Mixed media collage
This is a piece to celebrate my mother who passed away at the age of 90 in early 2024. Her love of completing crossword puzzles brought her joy. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and other brain games are recommended solutions to help seniors stay sharp. She had less than an 8th grade education and doing puzzles helped her create a very comprehensive vocabulary and her mind focused in her later years.
Mom’s Puzzles is a collage of puzzle pages, tissue paper and other decorative papers on textiles.
Sandra Davis currently lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Our Lips are Unzipped, We Have Something to Say
Sandra Davis
Textile Women are getting more comfortable expressing what is on their minds, quietly, loudly, proudly etc. We as women are not keeping silent.
Sandra Davis currently lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Justice for All
Felicia Greenlee
Wood, stain, paint, printer ink and color pencil
I thought about the theme for the “2024 Art of Soul!” exhibit and I feel Justice for All reflects Black Joy within Social Justice. I felt overjoyed in having a black woman sitting on the Supreme Court but disappointed in the confirmation process that Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson had to endure. My intent in Justice for All was to capture the trials and tribulations that black women have tolerated for so long in this country and to see it play out in a public display for the world to see was confirming. It was truly inspiring to see Mrs. Ketanji Brown Jackson come out on the other side of such ignorance with great poise and dignity. Having a black woman residing on the Supreme Court has been a long time coming for Social Justice; and, although it has been a long journey as a nation, we still have more work to do. It is my hope that as a society, we look towards the future with a promise to do better to correct the social injustices of our past.
Felicia Greenlee currently lives in Seneca, South Carolina.
He Sits Among the Periwinkle
Yahfa Guerra
Acrylic on canvas
This is a piece that highlights the contemplative energy of joy and reflection. There is a man sitting in a field of periwinkle he’s been there so long he’s become connected to it via his hair. Periwinkle was a flower used amongst black people in the time of grave honoring. Many people didn’t have access to the more seemingly prestigious flowers. So, in the spirit of remembering, periwinkle was planted at the grave site. Today you can see these flowers sprouting everywhere and they serve as a reminder of those who came before and made a way.
Yahfa Guerra currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Light Love x Music Dance
=
Black Joy
A group of five figures dancing in the morning sun.
Georgette Hardy Edwards currently lives in Walton, Kentucky.
Georgette Hardy Edwards
Acrylic on canvas
The Man on the Street
When I was a little boy news reporters often referred to the average person as “The man on the street.” Today that term has taken on a whole new meaning. Every day I see people who are virtually “living on the streets.” This is clearly a societal problem that demands justice from our city, county, state, and federal governments. No one should have to live on the streets. This is unacceptable.
Morris Howard currently lives in Dayton, Ohio.
Morris Howard Oil on canvas
Baroque Beauties
Natalie Jackson
Photography
In my work, I concentrate on the strength and resilience of Black women, so the idea of Baroque, the “imperfect Pearl” with its unusual beauty, parallels with the often-overlooked strength and beauty of the Black woman. I chose to rewrite history and place Her in the middle of this exuberant period where she’s adorned and adored. The subjects in these works exude confidence and self-love.
Natalie Jackson currently lives in Peoria, Illinois.
Black and Blue
Evelyn Oliver Knight
Quilted wall hanging
Many African American Police Officers bring honor to this profession as they try to serve their communities. When their “Blue” brothers commit terrible crimes against African Americans, Black officers are torn between their allegiance to their department versus their love of the people in the communities they serve. Each large and small star represents police badges of large and small police departments. Each badge is ripped in the center representing the inner turmoil of police officers of color as they work with their Blue Brothers.
Evelyn Oliver Knight currently lives in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Actions Speak Louder Than…
Evelyn Oliver Knight
Quilted wall hanging
Following the brutal murder of George Floyd, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi partnered with the Textile Center in Minneapolis, MN to curate several exhibitions throughout the city. We Are the Story opened 9/10/20-6/12/21.
Dr. Mazloomi received over 400 submissions for this exhibit; I’m honored to have two pieces in the show. Actions Speak Louder Than… depicts violations to the Minneapolis Police Department’s Code of Conduct that were inflicted on Mr. Floyd. The police badge includes Mr. Floyd’s name, the length of time it took to murder him (as published at the time of his death) and the date. Each white section has language taken from the Code of Conduct. The Background fabric has letters in black and white in no order, just a bunch of gibberish.
Evelyn Oliver Knight currently lives in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Granny’s Ice Cream Treat
Evelyn Oliver Knight
Quilted wall hanging
I was blessed that my grandmother was alive while my two children were young. The best memory I have of them interacting with Granny was when she made homemade ice cream. They sat in awe as she measured and added the ingredients to the magical electric ice cream maker. I remember helping to make the ice cream as a child using the slower, more tedious hand crank model. Either way, the finished product was such a treat! Granny replicated one of my childhood memories and shared it with my children. The ice cream was great, but the memory was sweeter! I took a photo of this interaction not knowing I would transform that memory into a quilt nearly 30 years later!
Evelyn Oliver Knight currently lives in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Family Unity
Kevin Knuckles
Acrylic on canvas
Inspired by my wife and children. The bond of family intertwined with the colors of Liberation is the ultimate joy. Kevin Knuckles currently lives in Maple Heights, Ohio.
The joy of black music. Two distinctly black genres of music, connected by creativity and improvisation.
Kevin Knuckles currently lives in Maple Heights, Ohio.
Hip Hop / Be Bop
Kevin Knuckles
Acrylic on board
Unrevealed Paladins
Kenia LaMarr
Acrylic on board
I often find myself reflecting deeply on the intricate tapestry woven by the threads of my past, the spirit of my ancestors, and the purpose that guides my present actions, laying the groundwork for my future as an artist. This painting captures a split narrative: on one side, Reverend Jacob H. Hooker surveys the rubble of Tulsa’s Greenwood district in 1921, an affluent Black neighborhood obliterated by a white mob. This story is all too common in our country, where bustling Black communities and their successes were frequently destroyed in mere moments. Despite attempts to bury history under man-made lakes, extravagant highways, and institutions, the energy of our ancestors permeates the very fabric of our nation. Yet, their stories often remain untold and overshadowed.
Contrasting this, I’ve reimagined Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus from the 1400s, a painting that has been fantasized and appreciated for centuries. Here, Venus is depicted as a regal Black woman, embodying a narrative that
has been historically marginalized and undervalued. She is not carried by the breath of man but stands strong on her oyster, led, and carried by countless souls with unique stories, lost since the first group of human cargo was brought to Virginia in 1619. The exact number of lives lost during and after enslavement— whether through the Middle Passage or those like the Igbo warriors who chose death over bondage—remains unknown. This historical void underscores the extraordinary nature of our ancestors’ stories. These narratives are not merely chronicles of suffering but are imbued with tales of resilience, intellectual prowess, and the courage to think independently and effectuate change.
Using art as a tool to share these untold stories and parts of history is vital. Just as a tree, or any plant, cannot thrive with dead roots, our collective growth is stunted without a true connection to our historical legacy and an acknowledgment of the untold heroism that built this nation.
Kenia LaMarr currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Akuaba Sisters KNayme Maison
Bronze and wood sculpture
Akuaba Sisters embodies the joy found in solidarity, serving as a potent reminder of the beauty, strength, and vitality of connection. This artwork is a cultural celebration of resilience and triumph within Black communities, symbolizing instances of happiness, pride, and cultural abundance in the lives of individuals of African descent. It stands as a testament to perseverance despite enduring challenges like systemic racism and discrimination throughout history and today.
Four Bronze Akuaba sculptures (fertility symbols) standing on a piece of wood stump.
These bronze sculptures are crafted using the lost-wax casting process.
KNayme Maison currently lives in Groveland, Illinois.
No One Knew
Veronica Mays
Fiber arts
In support of the “Me Too” Movement, this quilt depicts several women whose lives have been affected by sexual misconduct.
Veronica Mays currently lives in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
Celestial Court
Janice “Ecinja” McCaskill
Acylic on canvas
I am a visual arts storyteller who descends from a long line of generational stories and storytellers. The inspiration for my paintings are taken from ancestral stories that I heard growing up. Some of their stories were spoken aloud while others were whispered in secret. Inspired by these ancestral stories and pure imagination, I create a new painting of a reinvented story.
Gramps used to tell us a story about what happens in the celestial space during an eclipse when the sky darkens during the day. Gramps said the celestial courts were in session. The Celestial Court of George Floyd is a reimagined generational story of the celestial court in session.
Janice “Ecinja” McCaskill currently lives in Quincy, Florida.
Seeking Hope on Canopy Road
Janice “Ecinja” McCaskill
Acylic on wood
I am a visual arts storyteller who descends from an extensive line of generational oral storytellers. My ancestral stories are the inspiration for my paintings. Seeking Hope on Canopy Road is a story of black love and social justice.
Gramps tells the story of what happened in our family after Emancipation when the enslaved ancestors became free. After they were set free, our family was not sure of what to do or where to go. Gramps said that Aunt Susie, who was a visionary, had a dream that would offer hope for a brighter future for the family. In the dream she was told to gather the people in the family and tell them to put on their best clothes, to fix themselves up, bring their best skills and talents with them and follow the path of the canopy trees.
Janice “Ecinja” McCaskill currently lives in Quincy, Florida.
When Two Becomes One
AdaObinna Moore
Acylic on wood panel
I created this piece while thinking about unity and becoming one with an individual. Not necessarily in a marriage union but just in general. I feel that it is beautiful when two or more individuals can come together and harmonize within the same space. Whether it is for support of one another, in adoration of each other, or building something that is so divined and destined that it cannot be broken. The joy of this piece is the celebration of finding/being with someone in the present moment and being so connected, there is no distinction between the two. Joy is happiness that comes from within, the eternal feeling of being whole.
AdaObinna Moore currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Panama Vieja
Jay Morgan
Graphite, digital
My artwork honors my Panamanian roots. A traditional pollera, its skirt a vibrant mola tapestry, takes center stage. The mola’s intricate patterns celebrate the cultural heritage that shapes me.
Jay Morgan currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Justice IS NOT Blind
Mixed media fiber
Lady Justice is presented in burlap and seashells representing the common folk. She has on a blindfold, but it is slightly tilted so she can peer through because she knows that justice can be corrupted. In her scales, the concept of MAAT is in play with the feather being sufficient to balance the greed and coercion of money.
Joyce Morrow Jones currently lives in South Euclid, Ohio.
Joyce Morrow Jones
The Haunted Oak
Joyce Morrow Jones
Mixed media fiber with wood
The spirit of the tree begs the question of events and consequences. The rope which offended the tree has now become one with the tree and its dying branches. The spirit of the man is now imbedded into the tree haunting it forever. Featured in this sculptural composition are excerpted verses from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, “The Haunted Oak.”
Joyce Morrow Jones currently lives in South Euclid, Ohio.
I Blossomed: Gilded with Gold Joyce Morrow Jones
Mixed media fiber with wood and silk flowers
The joy of transformation and self-acceptance is conceptualized by “blossoming” in her flamboyant floral aura around her face. Her brokenness expressed through cracks are now gilded with gold similar to the Japanese kintsugi process of mending broken pieces together to make something more beautiful than before.
Joyce Morrow Jones currently lives in South Euclid, Ohio.
Community
Hannah Mosely
Digital illustration
The art of communing with others has been such an integral piece to my growing relationship with myself and understanding life’s many changes. Community emphasizes the beauty of being able to immerse oneself with like-mindedness, and also highlights the essence of what it can look like to feel out of place in a new environment.
Hannah Mosely currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
In Praise of The Constitution
Jack Nixon
Graphite, pastel, charcoal, and chalk
From the moment of their unveiling at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in February 2018, the museum’s official portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama have become iconic. Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of the former First Lady have inspired unprecedented responses from the general public.
In Praise Of The Constitution is also an inspirational drawing of President Obama done in graphite, pastel, charcoal, and chalk where the artist has chosen to present our 44th Chief Executive in an upright and statuesque stance that befits the power and authority of the office; where Mr. Obama exudes a stoic, relaxed aura that is stately—almost regal—in character.
Mr. Nixon has placed Harvard Constitutional scholar, Law Review editor, and former United States President Barack Obama in the proper setting— the Oval Office—holding a book of the Constitution, with the portrait’s main prop being an antique globe that just
oozes history. But that history, to be perfectly honest, is not a kind one. And that unkindness (as gross understatement) is the Middle Passage gulf between freedom and slavery called the Atlantic Ocean. That careful and deliberate world positioning with compass rose (of “True North” (the artist’s informal title)) is the main visual component standing next to the presidential figure. Other notable symbols are an 1862 engraving of Abraham Lincoln musing on the bust of George Washington; bookends of the bust of Martin Luther King; and volumes of the many laws and accomplishments produced during the president’s two successful terms (He ranks 10th in the most recent 2021 C-Span poll of 800 historians and authors.).
The title of the drawing is meant to describe a visionary, care-taking governance that is bigger than the office and the man—that is bigger than any man. Because we are a nation of laws, not of men. And no one should understand that better than the leader of our country: “The last best hope of earth,” as Lincoln wrote. That stable written foundation along with our national institutions were meant to help protect us from tyrannical rule—which was our Founding Fathers’ greatest fear. That elemental political stability and unruptured continuance of progress is what the original Framers and the Constitution have given us.
Jack Nixon currently lives in Wilmette, Illinois.
Of Service to the Nation
Jack Nixon
Graphite, pastel, charcoal, and chalk
Pictured in the White House Vermeil Room, First Lady Michelle Obama is seen in her finest evening gown, holding a cameo of Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree, an African American evangelist, abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and author who was born into slavery in New York before escaping to freedom in 1826.). Titled Of Service to the Nation, this drawing is a continuation of the presidential narrative of respectfully remembering and honoring the past by singling out an important figure in America’s struggle and evolution for racial and gender equality.
Jack Nixon currently lives in Wilmette, Illinois.
March Madness
Onzie Norman
Paper, wood, collage, acrylic and resin
March Madness is my infusion of 1960’s protests and civil rights marches, this piece was mainly inspired by the events on Bloody Sunday and captures real time imagery through collage artistry and has some threedimensional effects.
Onzie Norman currently lives in Detroit, Michigan.
Headspace
Tameka Phillips
Acrylic paint, ink, and colored pencil on paper
“My real words cannot be heard; My real worth cannot be seen; much of me is unspoken; I am more than I seem”. I came up with these words and placed them to art when speaking with a potential colleague. My personality was assumed based solely on my being a black woman.
Tameka Phillips currently lives in Macon, Georgia.
An
Ode to the Wolves Who Eat My Flesh While Wearing the Skin of a Sheep
A painting I made to vent my frustrations regarding the way white people steal black culture, history, and lives as a way to be seen as more exotic before they ultimately regurgitate them and throw them away like they never mattered.
Mya Roach currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Mya Roach
Digital painting
Father Time
Delayna Robbins
Acrylic on canvas
Inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s “Father Time,” this piece was created with the intention to explore what it means to heal from generational trauma and taking the steps towards taking care of one’s mental health. Within the black community only recently we have started to take our mental health seriously, and actively aim to heal ourselves. For black men it isn’t talked about enough, and how important it is to be open with one’s feelings. A part of my Empowered and Loved series (aimed for black men) I wanted to create a piece as an answer that you can feel empowered by protecting one’s mental health and finding peace in embracing one’s feelings, breaking the tropes that black men can be strong and cry, be able to express themselves and feel loved by the world.
Delayna Robbins currently lives in Cary, North Carolina.
Understanding
A part of my Empowered & Loved series, a body of work where I interview black men on what makes them feel loved and empowered, understanding comes from a very vulnerable place of finding joy in being heard in a world that tends to silence young black voices. Something magical happens when a person is vulnerable and is met with unconditional love. I paint flowers and plants growing out of open wounds to show that we can heal from our past traumas when we are embraced with that love. I believe that in our scars/flaws there is resilience and beauty.
Delayna Robbins currently lives in Cary, North Carolina.
Delayna Robbins
Acrylic on canvas
Last Century, Last Week (Double Dutch)
Ky Smiley
Large format photography
This photo series is taking the place of a personal investigation into my own lived experience of girlhood. I have instead decided to create this serene and near-perfect depiction of the highlights enjoyed by many Black girls in their childhood. This includes hand games, Double Dutch, drawing, baby dolls, and the eventual confrontation of no longer being seen in the light of rightful childish innocence. Once this innocence is gone within my admittedly fictitious yet summarizing world, a stark reality emerges, a world often leading to neglect and lack of care exhibited to countless Black girls who grow into women in the same society that refuses to see them.
Ky Smiley currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
This piece pays homage to the people of Haiti and by extension the displaced members of the global community who have had to contend with the injustices of rich Western societies. These are the forgotten voices that move through the world. The postures and movements of the bodies in a row are reminiscent of the horrors of the slave experience. Despite the sadness in their eyes, there is a sense of dignity and promise as seen through the vibrancy of colors and the gold suggestive of their spiritual value. They emerge from the darkness to give light to the world.
Wendell Smith currently lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Haiti I Am Sorry
Wendell Smith
Acrylic on board
Ties That Bind Ingrid Smith
Fabric, thread, buttons
Ties That Bind is my interpretation of Black Joy and togetherness. Tie That Binds: definition from UsingEnglish.com (idiom: is the shared belief or other factor that links people together.)
I selected African designed fabric to custom create each tie. After my quilt was completed, I thought about what the design symbolized. The ties represent family Umoja and our African ancestry. Black Joy surpasses time and distance which binds us with togetherness. The ties, centered around a flower, the focal point, Black Joy. The use of buttons conveys how Black Joy is infinite and continuous. Ties That Bind—Black Joy Umoja.
Ingrid Smith currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Block Party
Ingrid Smith
Fabric, jewelry, thread, beads, buttons, branch
When I think of a block party, I see what my ancestors brought from Africa: music, dance, food, unity, history, and royalty. My Block Party design utilizes African-designed fabric that symbolizes our shared history. Each block iterates the importance of remembering our ancestry through the colors, symbols, lines, animals, and the graceful dancers. I selected embellishments of beads, buttons, and jewelry to enhance the block party design and show our relationships to royalty.
We have always enjoyed our memorable block parties that are part of our culture.
I HEAR THE PUMPING BASS IN THE MUSIC…
I SEE THE DANCERS EACH MOVING IN THEIR OWN WAY...
I SMELL THE AROMAS OF BBQ RIBS, CHICKEN, BAKED BEANS, POTATO SALAD, AND SWEET POTATO AND CHESS PIES...
THE LINGERING SOUNDS, SIGHTS, SMELLS, AND ATMOSPHERE MAKE ME FEEL PROUD AND JOYFUL!!
Ingrid Smith currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Self Portrait
Melissa Sutherland Moss
Acrylic, pencil, paste & collage on canvas
Self Portrait is a multi-layered exploration of my family’s complex migration journey, spanning from Africa to Jamaica, then to Costa Rica, and finally to the United States. Like the layers in this artwork, some aspects of my heritage are visible, while others remain hidden beneath the surface. As a first-generation American, an AfroLatina, and a proud citizen of Costa Rica, I navigate the intricate tapestry of my identity, peeling back certain layers to reveal hidden narratives while allowing others to remain concealed. This work represents the ongoing process of selfdiscovery, where each layer—whether visible or obscured—contributes to the rich complexity of my heritage. Some layers have been deliberately exposed, inviting viewers to explore the depths of my identity, while others remain covered, symbolizing the mysteries and untold stories within my family’s history. Through this layered approach, the artwork captures the essence of my journey, celebrating the visible aspects of black joy and cultural pride, while acknowledging the hidden influences that continue to shape my sense of self.
Melissa Sutherland Moss currently lives in Massapequa, New York.
A Place of Rest
Melissa Sutherland Moss
Burlap, natural dye, acrylic, rope, wood pallet, stick
Imagining a place of rest for these ancestors is an act of honoring their resilience and fortitude. It involves creating a vision of a sanctuary where they could find peace, safety, and dignity—something that was frequently denied to them during their lifetimes. This conceptual space serves as a form of reparative justice, offering a symbolic gesture of rest and recognition that they deserved but were deprived of. Moreover, this exercise prompts us to reflect on the ongoing struggles for social justice today. It encourages us to consider how we can create realworld spaces and opportunities for rest, healing, and equity for current and future generations. By doing so, we not only pay homage to our ancestors but also contribute to a more just and compassionate society.
Melissa Sutherland Moss currently lives in Massapequa, New York.
Shirley Chisholm
Melissa Sutherland Moss
Collage and image transfer on paper
This portrait of Shirley Chisholm captures her poised and dignified presence, adorned with elegant jewelry that signifies both her personal style and cultural heritage. The rich history of Black women wearing jewels, regardless of socio-economic status, is a testament to the enduring spirit of Black joy and resilience. By portraying Chisholm in this way, the artwork not only honors her groundbreaking role as the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress but also celebrates the glamour and luxury embedded in Black culture across the diaspora.
This portrayal serves as a powerful statement within the context of social justice. It underscores the importance of representation and the recognition of Black women’s contributions to society. The adornment in jewels symbolizes not just aesthetic beauty but also the economic and social significance that jewelry has held in Black communities. Through this artistic lens, the portrait highlights the interconnectedness of cultural heritage, personal identity, and the ongoing struggle for equity and justice. It invites viewers to reflect on the ways in which Black joy and cultural expression continue to play a vital role in the fight for social justice, honoring both the past and present efforts to create a more just and equitable future.
Melissa Sutherland Moss currently lives in Massapequa, New York.
Untitled #2 nikki terry
Oil on arches paper
This painting on arches paper was the beginning stage of removing my veil. I have slowly revealed the five stages of grief and how I crazily navigated them–denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
nikki terry currently lives in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Because you Loved Me
Sabrina Thompson
Stained glass, glass fusion, acrylic on canvas, ink, colored pencil, cardboard, my Grandma’s fabric, sequins, beads, embellishments, mementos, photo transfers, paper, textiles, my Grandma’s jewelry, & buttons on wood panel
This large installation pays tribute to my late Grandma, Naomi Thompson (d. 2019), and the unconditional love she spread throughout our family and community.
When I think about happiness, I think about her—the way she lit up every room she entered, her laugh, her generosity, and her dedication to helping others, even when she had little to give. She took in neighborhood and family kids, becoming a mother and grandmother to all. They lovingly called her “Mrs. T.”
“Grief is just love with nowhere to put it” — Jamie Anderson. I put all the love I had for my Grandma into this piece. When she was alive, I would make handmade gifts and cards for her on holidays. This piece is a final thank-you gift to her.
Guided by intuition, I incorporated diasporic methods of ornamentation decoration and interior design, weaving together memory, family history, grief, and unconditional love. Through textiles, embroidery, collage, quilting, sculpture, painting, stained glass, glass fusion, embellishments, musical composition, and digital illustration, II created a saint-like portrait of my grandma, shining light through darkness to symbolize the significance, influence, and strength of Black matriarchs in the Black community and beyond.
Sabrina Thompson currently lives in Superior Township, Michigan.
Hidden Tears
Shirley Tucker
Acrylic and oil on canvas with clock mechanism This painting is about two sisters who became part of the foster care system. Facing abandonment, anxiety and depression were factors that contributed to the girls’ sense of security and would alter the way they responded to adults. Art is storytelling—it’s the only voice that allows us to hear through our own personal vision.
Shirley Tucker currently lives in Dayton, Ohio.
My Environmental Storm for Justice
Shirley Tucker
Acrylic, oil, and mixed media on canvas
This painting allowed me to interpret the visual ideas I see in the world I live in. I enjoy exploring levels of color theory and the idea that functions work with form. Having had the opportunity over the years to introduce court involved youth to different mediums of art while teaching them life skills gave me an insight into their personal space. For some of our youth, every day is a challenge because of the social injustice they face and the scars that are not outwardly visible.
Shirley Tucker currently lives in Dayton, Ohio.
If It Wasn’t for The Blood
Renee Wormack-Keels
Fiber art This quilt was inspired following the murder of 9 church members at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Many of the family members forgave Dylan Roof shortly thereafter— others were not so quick to forgive. It reminded me of a scripture regarding the shed blood of Jesus—there could be no redemption of forgiveness. Each red strip represents the 9 persons killed.
Renee Wormack-Keels currently lives in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
CELEBRATING THE PAST
Art of Soul! Juried Art Show Winners
2022 BEST OF SHOW
“Alpha Omega” by Steve Prince, Hampton, VA
• 2nd Place “Love Our Women 3” by Morris Howard, Dayton, OH
• 3rd Place “I and My Cukudu Calabash” by Bamazi Talle, Columbus, OH
• People’s Choice “More Than Just a Pot” by Yajim Amadu, Dublin, OH
• Honorable Mention “Black Madonna and Child” by Barbara Eady, Cleveland Heights, OH
2021 BEST OF SHOW
“Am I Chicken George? I am Chicken George” by Bryan Wilson Charlotte, NC
• 2nd Place “Kirikou” by Suzanne Accetta, Greeneville, SC
• 3rd Place “Wisdom Through My Eyes” by Emmanuel Mooty Jr., St. Louis, MO
• People’s Choice (tie vote): “Inspiring Change in Perception” by Yajim Amadu, Dublin, OH & “Wisdom Through My Eyes” by Emmanuel Mooty Jr., St. Louis, MO
• Honorable Mention “The Twins” by Lois Fortson, Centerville, OH
2020 BEST OF SHOW
“How Long” by Jimi Jones, Forest Park, OH
• 2nd Place “Socially Distant” by Morris Howard, Dayton, OH
• 3rd Place “Mickey Mouse Justice” by Louis Burroughs, Jr., Chargin Fall, OH
• People’s Choice “Natural Woman” by Onzie DeAndre Norman & Darin Darby, Wixom, MI
• Honorable Mention “They Called It Necktie Party” by Ora Clay, Oakland, CA
2019 BEST OF SHOW
”Still Running” by Glenn Walker, Euclid, OH
• 1st Place Identity Category “Frocozmo” by Darin Darby & Onzie DeAndre Norman, Romulus, MI
Honorable Mention “Metamorphose (Metamorphosis)” by Bamazi Talle, Columbus, OH
• 1st Place Social Justice Category “The Underground Railroad” by Lynn Rossi & Nichelle Evans
Honorable Mention “Courageous Black Women: The Forgotten Backbones of the Reconstruction Period” by Ricky Calloway, Warner Robbins, GA
• 1st Place Surroundings “The Relevance of Environment in the Exploration of Identity through Birdhouses” by Kendall Glover, Cincinnati, OH
Honorable Mention “Teenage Farmer” by Ricky Calloway, Warner Robbins, GA