National Hispanic Heritage Month acknowledges the contributions made by Hispanic and Latin American communities and honors their significance to society and their social, political, and cultural histories. It also recognizes their influence on the evolution of American legacy. The Voices of Hispanic and Latin American Artists Exhibition will feature artists who represent a diverse range of identities, experiences, histories, and backgrounds through the power of their creations.
Read MoreLea Kouzios, a former stay-at-home mom turned business owner and veteran, hails from the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin. After joining the army in 2018 as an intelligence analyst, she was stationed in Georgia, where she met her husband. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she began crocheting in her spare time and gradually transformed it into a business as she transitioned out of the army and into stay-at-home mom life. Building a social media following of approximately 80,000 across various platforms boosted her confidence and paved the way for her venture into teaching.
Read MoreFeatured artists include: Brit Alex, Nicole Alfon, Hannah Atallah, Ann Baun, Jovan Bethel, Sandra Blevins, Sara Caporaletti, Andrea Downs, Coriander Focus, Lillian Jacobson, Hailey Jordan, Barabara Dahlberg, Kathy Daywalt, Nina DeAngelo, Shanti Dixon Gramby, Kelly Hall, Diamond Jones, Elissa Jones, Jeniffer Lancaster, Sarah Laraine, Brianne Lesane, Charlotte Kuethe, Cindy Mehr, Karen Middleton, Diane Osburn, Linda Popp, Sara Prigodich, Gail Robertson, Beth Schwartz, Atalante Shay, Serenity Smith, Macy Toalepai, and Chenell Turner.
Read MoreAn interdisciplinary visual artist duo spanning two generations (combined experience of over 40 years), are celebrated for their beautiful large-scale wall sculptural compositions created using thousands of ultrathin, shapeless strands of natural wool fibers, freestanding sculptures, wearable art and mixed media works that incorporate natural flowers and plants. Their studio is based in Maryland.
Read MoreHailey Jordan is a biracial, queer, scientist-turned-designer, raised by travelers, who thrives in the in-between. Her work illustrates the vibrancy of Black, Queer adventure on the frontiers of liberation– her subjects often in the midst of dance, exploration, bliss, abundance. To design and live with joy is Hailey’s way of honoring her ancestors and carving space for the Black, Queer imagination in generations to come.
Read MoreBrandon Slewion is an interdisciplinary artist, educator and entrepreneur working between Toledo, Ohio and Washington D.C. Raised in the nation capital his relationship with politics, business, tourism, and inner city sports during his youth significantly affected his perspective of identity, competitive culture, and personal branding. Expanding the idea of public works and alternative education, he is redesigning the role of an artist as a role model
Read MoreWe do nothing without intention.
Through vibrant hues, Black ritual, and spiritual imagery, we utilize storytelling and collage to conflate the ideas of reconstruction and resilience within the Black experience. Our work serves as testaments to healing by example, honoring the Black mother, spirit, and childlike wonder in the stories told in our scrolls and creations. There is a sense of joy and wonderment felt when viewers experience our work, our attraction to textures, shiny materials, and patterns enhances the story and interpersonal experience we share as twins and with our communities. Materials are broken down and rebuilt to reinforce the journey toward completion, emphasizing the colorful, multidimensional layers of the inner and outer worlds we inhabit as Black indigenous creators. We actively channel collective consciousness within our practice, traveling various dimensions and connecting 2D, 3D, and 4D elements to birth a new understanding of experience, one that is affirming, uplifting, and powerful. What we create isn't just work, nor is it art. It is the manifestation of hope and faith.
Read MoreI’m Lauren J. Turner, and I’m thrilled to have you join me on an artistic journey that’s all about sparking conversations around parenting and reshaping how we perceive it. Parenthood is truly magical, and my art celebrates those extraordinary moments while shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of the Black parenting experience that the media tends to miss.
Read MoreAdewale Alli is a self-taught Nigerian visual artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. His work is a profound exploration of materiality intertwined with the eloquent language of color. Each piece he crafts is a chapter in his ongoing odyssey into the vast spectrum of being, capturing not only the splendor and intensity of existence but also delving into the enigmatic truths that elude our comprehension.
Read MoreJeffrey S. Felten-Green (b. 1965, Connecticut, US)
Many of my ideas are satirical, playful, and at times, serious. My art is also about storytelling, and I often flip the standard narrative or story and highlight them in a more interesting way. My collections of African-inspired paintings, icons, political paintings, folk pieces, and parodies reflect my many and varied influences, muses, and things that are important to me.
Like when raising children, I see my role in creating art as one where I nurture and tend to the pieces and always give them my best. Then, I release them to the world to bring and share joy.
Read MoreJames Whipple, also known as Jimi, has been married to Zettie Whipple for six years and resides in Brooklyn Park, Maryland. He shares his home with a cat named Edgar. While his full-time job may be uneventful, his personal interests are quite the opposite. Jimi has a passion for crafting and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, including sewing, painting, and recently, screen printing. He's been immersed in punk music and fashion for about 25 years and is a seasoned musician, playing bass (upright and electric) for 22 years. He also runs a small business called Punkrawkstuff.
Read MoreBenjamin Dysart is originally from Oxford, Ohio, a college town near Cincinnati. Benjamin earned a BFA in Studio Art from Miami University and an MFA from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at MICA. Dysart’s professional work involves creating installations that utilize handmade objects to obscure and abstract projected video. “I am deeply interested in the power objects hold and their push and pull on the world around them,” says Dysart. Woodworking, particularly crafting cutting boards, boxes, and bowls, is a significant part of their creative practice, along with lathework, mainly focusing on bowls and lidded boxes.
Read MoreTony Spencer is a Recording Artist, Poet, Model, Composer, and Storyteller. He is the founder of Enrapture Records and Enrapture Ministries, and has a B.A. and Masters degree from Sojourner/Douglass College. He was one of four Annapolitans to carry the Olympic Torch across Maryland during the 1996 International games. Tony and his family have been a fixture in the area for a long time, and have long been involved with goings on at Chesapeake Arts Center. Join us this November and December for an incredibly special solo exhibition of Tony’s work, both visual and narrative
Read MoreCongratulations to Executive Director Donna Anderson and VP/Artistic Director Nicole Caracia for winning “Annie
Awards” from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County at a ceremony at Maryland Hall on October 12, 2023.
Read MoreStephanie Alphee is the driving force behind Alphee Arts. She's an educator, creator, and entrepreneur, harnessing her love for crafting and technology to inspire and assist fellow makers. With nearly a decade of experience, Stephanie has dedicated herself to introducing young minds to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through interactive experiences. Today, she leverages her extensive background in teaching and community involvement to empower a diverse range of makers, whether they're kids, do-it-yourself enthusiasts, or budding entrepreneurs, by involving them in the exciting manufacturing journey.
Read MoreToday we are going in the studio with Rich Isaacman. Rich’s extensive photography experience is deeply rooted in his passion for travel, having explored more than 50 countries across six continents. His photography focuses on landscapes, cityscapes, and street scenes, and he’s also honed his skills in drone photography, which he now teach professionally.
Read MoreNatalie Cruz is a queer multimedia artist based in Silver Spring, MD. Born in Los Angeles, CA, to Salvadoran immigrants, she pays homage to the bright, vivacious technicolor of animation she loved as a kid while weaving them into her own stories. As the star of her own movie, Natalie incorporates fantastical escapism in color and line to portray her process of dealing with trauma and depression. She contemplates her relationships with herself, her family, the world, and divinity, retaining a distinct style through portrait, abstract, and 3D elements. As a passionate environmentalist, Natalie incorporates found materials such as discarded wire decoration, cellophane, and takeout bags to highlight the effects of human over-consumption on the environment and the individual psyche. She loves the metamorphosis of turning unassuming ingredients into splendid, impactful images.
Read MoreLillian Jacobson is a figure painter based in Baltimore, Maryland, whose works explore themes of identity, introspection, and the interplay of personal and collective narratives. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and growing up in Maryland, Lillian brings a rich cultural background and a unique blend of perspectives to her artistic practice. Lillian earned a BFA in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Lillian's work has been recognized and celebrated in various group exhibitions across Maryland. With each exhibition, Lillian expands her reach and sparks meaningful conversations as viewers are invited to embark on their own introspective journeys.
DEZ’s current works are all across the spectrum. Some pieces are centered around a mix of traditional layer building using knife and brush techniques accompanied by contemporary elements such as airbrush and spray paint. The idea is to combine the old world with the new to create impactful, stunning pieces using well known, popular subjects, ie; actors, models, superstars. The artwork is meant to ‘move’ and ‘jump’ off the canvas. Another current focus is a form of pop art. These works include the use of traditional super heroes combined with popular modern fashion symbols in a form of mockery to the importance placed in today’s social media driven ‘hype’. The style is clean and to the point. The look is very pop, comic strip. But the message is clear.
Read MoreMy name is Edgar David Nazario. I am a multidisciplinary artist, musician, photographer, and filmmaker from Puerto Rico.
My oil work is a celebration of Latin American folklore, a rich tapestry of stories, traditions, and vibrant experiences. Through the vivid colors and playful brushstrokes, I seek to capture the essence of this cultural legacy, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the colorful glory and spirited movement of my pieces. Each stroke and hue is deliberately chosen to evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting the audience to a place where memories and traditions intermingle.
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