Resilience in Nature: We Are the Roses that Grew from the Concrete is an exhibition at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

2. JUNE 12–NOVEMBER 28, 2021

3. Resilience in Nature: We Are the Roses that Grew from the Concrete is
a juried gallery exhibition at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical
Gardens in collaboration with All People Arts, Creative Women of Color,
Maroon Arts Group and TRANSIT ARTS. These local organizations are lifting
up Black artists and playing a critical role in developing the spirit, style
and mission of the exhibition.
In nature, diversity yields strength and opportunities. At the Conservatory
we believe nature is essential to the human experience and through
diversity yields strength and opportunities within and across communities.
Historically, while Black artists have created work reflective of connection
and intersection with nature, too often their work has been left out of that
narrative.Thisexhibitionstrivestoconnectpeoplewithnaturewhilehelping
build a stronger community by centering the gaze and amplifying the
voices of Black artists.
I want to thank all of the artists involved in this exhibition and I invite
everyone to view these works of art either in person, here in this virtual
catalog, or via the virtual tour coming soon. Franklin Park Conservatory is
striving to be an organization where everyone feels welcome and sees
themselvesreflectedinourguests,ourstaff,ourvolunteers,andourexhibitions.
We are committed to offering opportunities for underrepresented artists
and Resilience in Nature: We Are the Roses that Grew from the Concrete,
an exhibition that celebrates local Black artists, is but one example of
that commitment. Another example of that commitment is our intention to
expand and feature other groups of artists in the future.
PleaseenjoyResilienceinNature:WeAretheRosesthatGrewfromtheConcrete.

4. THANKS & RECOGNITION
Resilience in Nature: We Are the Roses that Grew from the Concrete would not be possible without
the support, dedication, and efforts of All People Arts, Creative Women of Color, Maroon Arts
Group, and TRANSIT ARTS. The Conservatory is thankful for their time and contributions to the
planning process and the additional programming support, as it was invaluable in fostering the
creation and development of this exhibition. Additional appreciation and gratitude goes to the
panel of Jurors for their insight and experience in choosing the selected artwork and awards.
All People Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting
change in their community through the arts.
Creative Women of Color is a collective of African American
women artists whose mission is to educate, encourage,
inspire and provide a creative connection with the
community for the purpose of advancing the arts.
The Maroon Arts Group is a collective of creatives who
have galvanized to develop and provide a platform for
conscious art centered around the preservation and
promotion of cultures of African descent.
TRANSIT ARTS, a program of Central Community House,
is a youth arts development program.
LEAD SPONSOR SUPPORTED BY

5. JURORS
QUEEN BROOKS: Artist Queen Brooks was born in Columbus, Ohio.
She began her art career working as an arts and crafts instructor.
Brooks then went back to school and graduated from Ohio State
University with her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in art. Brooks won the
Lila Wallace, Reader’s Digest International Artist Award, which granted
her a residency in the French port city of Abidjan in the Republic of the
Ivory Coast, West Africa. She has received numerous honors and awards
for her artwork, including the Ohioana Career Award, the highest recognition
bestowed on an artist in the state of Ohio.
Brooks and her works have been featured in magazines, and on TV.
She has exhibited extensively and her works reside in many private
and public collections.
Her art is in the collections of the Columbus Museum of Art, the African American
Art Museum in Wilberforce Ohio, Otterbein University, Ohio Dominican University,
and the Martin de Porres Center, Columbus, Ohio.
RICHARD DUARTE BROWN: “My purpose is to use the history of my childhood,
the strengths and limitations of our city and the life I see around me, to connect
the generations and to ultimately create a family dynamic.
When I create art I set the table for us to sit, as a family and indulge in
connectedness, identity and hope. My art is like a loaf of bread we can
eat from, when people eat this bread we become a family.
When I look around I see that my city is declining. My solution to this concern
is to communicate a sense of connectedness to the next generation. We are
connected through family, relationship and hope. I use art as a medium to
go deep into the conscious and inspire people. I convey this message through
combining wood, scrapes, yoga mats, old television parts, dried tree limbs,
canvas wood and many other various pieces. I find these parts and pieces
like finding old family members and create 2D mixed media pieces. My 2D
art is used to connect with the family of mankind. The body of work
investigates man’s ability to comfort one another and the contemplation
of that reality at all the stages of development.“
-Richard Duarte Brown

6. MARSHALL SHORTS: Marshall Shorts is an award-winning artist, designer,
brand specialist, community organizer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder
of Artfluential a social impact brand + design agency. He is also co-founder
of Creative Control Fest and the Maroon Arts group.
He also serves on a number of non-profit boards in the city of Columbus. Shorts
has presented two Tedx Talks. He subscribes to the idea, “anything not designed
by nature is designed by someone, so we can design places, spaces, and things
that are more equitable for all people.
BETTYE J. STULL: Bettye J. Stull is a community leader. She provides innovative
solutions to community needs by creating and organizing diverse art experiences.
Stull‘s commitment to serving the community led to many opportunities.
She began her career as a recreation leader, center director, art specialist
and coordinator with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department where
she served 30 years.
In 1989, she retired from the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
and became the Cultural Arts Director and curator at the King Arts Complex.
She developed art education programs and launched the Elijah Pierce Gallery.
She curated over 200 exhibitions featuring local, regional, national and
international artists. In 2001, she organized the 3 Legends: Elizabeth Catlett,
Jacob Lawrence and Samella Lewis exhibition that traveled nationally to eight
African American museums and to Dresden, Germany.
APRIL SUNAMI: April Sunami is a professional visual artist primarily focusing
on mixed-media painting and installation. She earned her Master of Arts Degree
in Art History from Ohio University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ohio
State University.
Sunami is also an award-winning installation artist through the 2012 Columbus
Art Pop-Up Project sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums including the
Columbus Museum of Art, National African America Museum and Cultural Center
and the Southern Ohio Museum. Sunami currently serves as All People Arts Board
Co-Chair and is a studio artist at Blockfort Gallery. Sunami is married to writer
and philosopher Christopher Sunami. They both live in Columbus, OH and
co-parent two bright and imaginative kids.

7. MEET THE SELECTED ARTISTS
Nevaeh Alexander
Roger Brackins
Jamie Ceasar
Lisa M. Cliff
Luke Cooper
Benjamin Crumpler
Kenya Davis
Earl H. English
Janet George
Yahfa Guerra
Jasmine Hill
Josiah Jamison
Lance Johnson
Brian A. Jones
Dionna Kendrick
Tiffany Lawson
Destiny Manson
Aleesha Nash
Diego Pablo
Ariel Peguero
Lynne Prillerman
Stefanie Rivers
Asya Shine
Stacy L. Spencer
Paisha Thomas
Lisa Tyus-Lee
Vona Walker
Nina Wells
Floristine Yancey-Jones

8. NEVAEH ALEXANDER Rise | Acrylic | 2018
“I made this painting to honor my grandfather who was a black panther. I used acrylic paint. The cracked brick wall in
the background symbolizes the inner city and its deteriorating infrastructure. I chose to depict a blue rose because blue
roses do not exist in nature and due to that they symbolize attaining the impossible. To make it out of the inner city in
a positive manner is unusual because there are many traps in place to leave the area in a jumpsuit or a casket instead.
This piece fits so perfectly with the exhibition theme because roses are not supposed to grow from concrete. This means
that this plant had to be resilient to bloom into its beauty. The fist and its pan-African colors represent the force by which
my grandfather was able to persevere and break out of the concrete/his circumstances. He had to gain knowledge of self
and learn his African history to rise above negativity. One technique that I taught myself while working on this piece was
to dab my paintbrush without necessarily blending the paint. I used this technique to achieve a multi-toned blue rose
without a neat looking gradience. The colors in the fist are already well blended so I wanted to use a different approach
on the rose. I chose to not paint too many layers of color onto the bricks in the background because I wanted the texture
of the canvas to still show through, therefore representing a textured brick wall.”
- Nevaeh Alexander
Nevaeh Alexander is a nineteen year old sophomore at The Ohio State University and was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio.
Alexander states, “I am a self taught artist looking to expand my artistic ability. I aim to create more work and participate
in more exhibitions or art events. My love for art was influenced by my grandfather who would support my hobby of painting
and drawing by providing me with supplies. I hope that I can continue to create pieces that resonate with souls and touch
hearts.” Alexander plans to specialize in creating art that touches on relevant social issues.

9. ROGER BRACKINS What shouldn’t i be? | Acrylic | 2021
“Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise and Tupac’s The Rose That Grew from Concrete was in heavy thought as I created this piece.
Utilizing mixed media texture, acrylic, coffee grounds and self taught technique, I was able to form such a concept as shown.
I wanted this piece to embody the challenges of our black youth. I wanted this piece to be timeless. Given the same
struggles our elders endured, are the same ones we face today. We, black men and women, are often faced with
discouragement, brutal attacks of racism, prejudices, and oppression. We are too often told we aren’t enough.
We can’t do that. We can’t go there. And that we will never be...as society continues its failed attempts to weigh
us down, the question still remains the same..What shouldn’t I be?”
-Roger Brackins
Roger Brackins is a self taught artist from Cleveland, OH. Brackins started drawing at the age of five, but it wasn’t
until 2018 that Brackins started painting and fell in love with it. Brackins experienced the struggle of growing up in
inner-city Cleveland, but art became an escape and a passion. Brackins states, “I attribute my artistic talents to my
loving and supportive mother. Her constant drive, resilience, inspiration, guidance, wisdom, and determination paved
the way for the artist and man that I am today. I truly consider art a life saver and can’t imagine my life without it.”

10. JAMIE CEASAR Alley Rose | Film photography | 2021
“I wouldn’t call myself a nature photographer, but I love capturing the natural flow of life. As a street photographer I see
life in motion. People getting from A to B, enjoying themselves, or dealing with struggles. I also get to observe how nature
plays a role in our daily lives. When I read the title of this exhibition, one photograph came to mind. An image of a painted
rose on a wall, surrounded by concrete, being fueled by a painted sun. Even in this alleyway, someone felt the need to
incorporate an element of nature. A sense of beauty. Fenced in, caged in, it still blooms and offers a passerby something
organic. Whenever I pass by this rose, I smile. It reminds me that through our humanity, we are still connected, and long
to remain connected to our natural world. This image was created with a medium format camera, using Kodak Ektar 120
roll film. I developed, and processed the film myself.”
-Jamie Ceasar
Jamie Ceasar is a film photographer, born and raised in Columbus Ohio. Inspired by great film shooters like Gordon Parks
and Don Hogan Charles, Ceasar enjoys the feeling and emotion of documentary/ street photography. There are moments,
places, and people that may never be seen if it weren’t for photography. Caesar’s passion is to share as many of those
moments as possible. His body of work also includes abstract, landscape, and portraiture photography as well. Ceasar
not only shoots 35mm and 120 film in black and white and color, but also develops his own film. The process of film
photography, as in bringing an image to life, adds to his love for the art.
Ceasar was one of the award winners for the Art Unites CBUS grant, brought together by the Greater Columbus Art Council.
The reward focused around the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for injustice through art in Columbus, OH.
He currently has photographs on display at the Schumacher Gallery in Capital University and 1819 Art Gallery in Spain.

11. LISA M. CLIFF Creative Butterfly | Acrylic | 2019
“For me, concrete is a metaphor for hard challenging times which lately represents the pandemic. The roses are the beautiful
objects, inspirations, and creations that, like a butterfly, continue to transform, transmute and rise above one’s current perception
of reality. Like the butterfly, the metamorphosis continues. Creative Butterfly is a nod in honor of the brilliance and resilience of
the spirit of the artist. The keys dangling around her neck represent possibility & mystery; opening doors to an imagination that
bears no walls or barriers; keys for unlocking passage ways to endless possibility and thought. Creative Butterfly is the ‘rose
leaning into life with intentionality; to make beauty out of stark concrete.
To create Creative Butterfly, I used fully saturated vibrant colors and a free handed style to convey a new freedom and lighter
attitude. Of course I added the heart shaped palette to convey to the viewer my love for creating, and the color dripped paint
brushes are the divine tools and extension of my hands used to color my vision and bring my reality to life. I specifically gave the
subject ‘monarch butterfly wings to represent longevity, spirituality & rebirth in order to transport the viewer’s imagination to higher places.”
-Lisa M. Cliff
Lisa Cliff of Columbus, Ohio creates inspirational interpretations and images in vibrant color to convey positive energy. Cliff’s
favorite mediums are acrylic, mixed media, and pastels, using rich colors intertwined with subtle symbolism. She uses heavy in-
tentional brush strokes to convey structure, life and movement. Utilizing representational art as well as abstract art, Cliff enjoys
the freedom to dance between the two art forms and adding elements of both in her work. Cliff also likes to incorporate a broad
form of pointillism in her work featuring many contrasting colors in short broad strokes or dots which she feels represents life’s
interconnectivity.
Cliff has been a part of the fabric of the Columbus Ohio art scene for many years, participating in Columbus Arts Festival and
showing art at the Homeport Gallery, King Arts Complex, as well as participating in the Essence Art festival, New Orleans, and
many other arts related events and organizations. She is also a member of the Creative Women of Color, a collective of African
American women artists in the Columbus area.

12. LUKE COOPER Rainy Day in the Forest | Acrylic | 2020
“This painting was inspired by looking out of a cinder block glass window on a rainy day. All that could be seen was a
wet blur of green as I looked out into the backyard. To create this piece I used various shades of green, gray, black and
off-white. The texture was created with my fingers and a piece of graded metal. I blended layers of colors together with
a paintbrush and my fingers.”
-Luke Cooper
Luke Cooper is fifteen years old, and a sophomore in high school. Since he was nine years old, he’s been creating
and selling art starting with an art and lemonade stand. His first painting to exhibit in a museum was from March 29
to April 25, 2021, at the Springfield Museum of Art. Cooper’s painting entitled, Grey Day at Sea was a part of the Accessible
Expressions Ohio, 2021 exhibition. He loves to design buildings and landscapes and aspires to be an architectural engineer.

13. BENJAMIN CRUMPLER Paradise Regained #18 | Acrylic, mixed media | 2021
“Floral images are a fascinating exaggeration of physical plant life…creative life forms are here to stay. For the purposes
of joy and the enlightenment of mankind. Paradise regained all that was created on planet earth, and it was pronounced good.
Despite the pollution of this planet and the invasion of concrete jungles; foliage and all of its companions are here to stay.
This series of recent paintings were not created on typical canvas. The painted surface is actually nylon. A very smooth
slippery surface. There are twenty one paintings in this series, nineteen of them are 48” x 100”. Images could easily
resemble tropical gardens anywhere in the world. Bright, translucent colors remind us of how wonderful our land-shapes
change in spring time. When everything is new, born again. And full of life and promise. Negative space is carefully
thought out. Especially in the foregrounds, and background. Always a bright sun to remind us of the season of change.”
-Benjamin Crumpler
Benjamin Crumpler, a native of Columbus, Ohio, studied art in high school and at the Columbus College of Art and Design.
After graduating, he worked briefly as a commercial artist. In 1986, he opened the Benjamin Marcus Gallerie in the Short
North in Columbus, Ohio, featuring alongside his own work, work of national and international artists.
Benjamin’s work is multifaceted. A new series of work would replace another in quick succession. With no rhyme or reason,
every surface becomes a remnant of some past adventure. Whether floral landscapes or geometric reliefs, the many series
that he has created represent a fragment of his imagination. Benjamin’s use of lines, angles and colors in his work are
spontaneous and rhythmic and his style is distinctive.
Benjamin states that his expressions are from life and rhythms inherited from long ago. He says, “It is a rare occurrence
when dreams and reality become the same, to make art as one was born to do and maintain life’s necessities at the same
time is truly fulfilling.”

14. KENYA DAVIS Honeycomb Collective | Mixed media | 2021
“For proving ‘There’s strength in numbers... look no further than the ingenuity of honey bees. Inside a beehive exists a mass of
hexagonal prismatic wax cells that collectively make up the honeycomb. It is the hexagonal structure that provides exceptionally
high mechanical strength and efficiency through light weight and minimal materials. Hexagonal designs/composites have been
incorporated into seemingly endless applications, including LED technology, the automotive industry, aerospace technology, and in
packing materials; such as those that have been upcycled in my mixed-media piece Honeycomb Collective.
The white-washed tone and rough texture of the canvas is reminiscent of birch-like trees. Nestled within the multi-layered surface
is the striking focal point of the durable honeycomb. The hexagonal grid shape of each cell can be seen repeated throughout the
picture plane; in the produce netting, and again in the dried lotus pods. I liken each cell of the honeycomb to each home that makes
up my neighborhood. Although the houses are similar, each home is a distinct representation of families of differing shapes, sizes,
and colors. Just as with a productive colony of busy honey bees, great care must be taken to preserve the nexus of transformative
activity that takes place within our bustling neighborhoods to perpetuate the collective legacy of strength and hope.”
-Kenya Davis
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Kenya Davis grew up on the west side and attended Columbus City Schools. After graduating from
the Columbus College of Art and Design, she decided to focus on art education and received a Master’s Degree from The Ohio
State University. For over twenty years, Davis has been teaching, inspiring and influencing young minds, and exhibiting student
artwork throughout the city. Outside the classroom, she has taken on artistic projects from illustration and graphic design, to
jewelry design and privately commissioned artworks. She is known for taking practical objects like string, shells, and cardboard,
and incorporating them into vibrant compositions that emphasize color, pattern, and texture. She has participated in numerous
shows throughout central Ohio, as well as nationally.

15. EARL H. ENGLISH Altered Reality #3 | Scanography | 2021
“My work is about his passion for nature. The work is done in a more diverse way than most people see nature.
I like photographing things extremely close, taking the viewer to an entirely different world, using sometimes very soft
light and bright colors, and sometimes with a little twist. All work is printed on archival paper with Epson ultra chrome inks.”
-Earl English
For over twenty years, Earl English was a senior staff photographer at a local studio in old downtown Worthington, Ohio.
He was also a member of Professional Photographers of Ohio, Professional Photographers of Central Ohio, Senior
Photographers International, and African American Professional Photographers of Central Ohio, where he was program director.
English has won many awards, including blue ribbons at the Professional Photography of Ohio convention, Westerville Arts
Festival, Grandview Lazy Daze Arts Festival, as well as awards at Grove City Arts Festival, Delaware Arts Festival and Art
on the Lawn in Springfield, Ohio.

16. JANET GEORGE Paradise Paved | Digitally manipulated photography | 2021
“Paradise Paved was inspired by the song, Big Yellow Taxi written, composed and recorded by Joni Mitchell in 1970.
‘Don‘t it always seem to go that you don‘t know what you‘ve got till it‘s gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot...
The artwork illustrates the irony of the loss of our green spaces by paving over nature in public areas and subsequently
creating murals of nature to beautify and soften the hard concrete, blacktop or bricks. The image also depicts the resilience
of nature as we see the greenery growing through the concrete cracks in what appears to be an effort to reassert itself as
‘paradise and reclaim both the parking lot and the wall. Once the concept for the work was conceived, the process of
creating Paradise Paved first involved a search for the perfect parking lot and wall on which to create the mural.
Relying on an abundance of my original floral photographs I layered and layered images on the wall, enhancing, adding
and subtracting to create the mural. Finally, I was able to bring the various images together into one that I felt conveyed
the story best. The story of a song about a paradise lost without understanding, and how I could represent the irony of
that loss to viewers.”
-Janet George
Born and raised in Detroit, Janet George has been happy to call Columbus home for over thirty years. She is a self-taught
visual artist and began exhibiting as a fine art photographer in 2008. What sets George’s work apart is her versatility.
She‘s had three solo shows featuring her photographic work, has participated in numerous group exhibitions, both juried
and invited, as a mixed-media artist. In the last few years, George has explored combining traditional photography techniques
with digital art tools. Additionally, George enjoys curating art shows and in 2012 she created and curated, Columbus in a Snap,
a photo exhibit to celebrate Columbus’ bicentennial. Since that time she‘s gone on to curate a number of exhibitions and
in 2018 was invited to be the first guest curator for The Eastside Art Initiative. George is a member of the artist collective,
Creative Women of Color (CWoC) and The Eastside Art Initiative.

17. YAHFA GUERRA The Traveler | Acrylic | 2019
“The Traveler invites the viewer with a gaze to venture further into composition, where an unknown world is laid out before
them. The world is filled with abundance which is displayed by the variety of plant life and the mountainous landscape.
The greenery is done with free and expressive strokes that show a vibrant land with life. Yet the atmosphere remains serene
as if you are holding your breath. The figure to the left looks at you as if asking the question ‘will you? and she holds her
breath in suspense. Along the path are three figures that represent a journey of discovery. Three masked figures take a
variety of stances. The first beckons you further. Its a promise of what could be. The second shows an unsteadiness akin
to growing pains. It displays the uneasiness of something new. The third is a perfect balance, it shows resilience. The three
figures represent a journey and the traveler beckons you to join them. So the question becomes ‘will you join the traveler on
the path to uncover the nature of self discovery?”
-Yahfa Guerra
Yahfa Guerra is a contemporary artist who explores the realm of realism and surrealism. She is currently studying for her
bachelors in Fine Arts at the Columbus College of Art and Design. She creates work that is reflective and explores the realm
of humanity. Her art consists of conversations about the big question. Why? Guerra’s art looks into self reflection, identity,
culture, mythology, nature, and what shapes us to be who we are. Can we inspire ourselves through thought?
As an individual Guerra finds that it is vital to look into herself and the world around her for inspiration. Guerra uses a
variety of mediums to create her message. Her most prevalent being painting. Guerra explores embroidery, sculpture,
and jewelry as well. For Guerra, the material used is just as important as the concept. Guerra has had her work displayed
in the governor‘s office, and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s office. Guerra’s work strives to engage a viewer and make
them think deeper about themselves. It provokes thoughts of self reflection and inspiration.

18. JASMINE HILL Resilient Tulip | Digital photography | 2021
Resurrected Fruit | Digital photography | 2021
“Resilient Tulip captures the magical discovery of one of spring‘s first vibrant arrivals. While the nearby hyacinths that
are now wilted and depleted of color, the dependable tulip has burst forth with dynamic hues. I enjoyed playing with the
depth of fields while using my Canon EOS M50 and 50 mm lens. I chose to print this photo on acrylic for a result that
is clean, borderless and vibrant with rich colors and depth. Furthermore, I wanted the bold, lone flower to pop and the child
to come off soft while still towering, as if they both are marveling at each other‘s innocent beauty. Both can be hidden
treasures depending on their environment, which at times the world tends to overlook. I hope the audience sees this
more as nature mirroring the essence of the young girl.
Resurrected Fruit is telling the revised story of the relationship between Blacks and trees. Billie Holiday‘s song, Strange Fruit
came to mind when concepting this photograph. The boy is standing boldly in the center of the tree, revoking historical images
of human appendages hanging from branches. His neck is gracefully stretched forth, noose free with his chest elevated with
pride in contrast to a sunken corpse of the past. This display of a black child appreciating the beauty of nature on their own
free will is pricelessly displayed through the joy and freedom of the child‘s expression. The sweet fruit which is promised
through the blooms of the Bartlett Pear tree, echoes the evolving relationship between our people and the past symbol of
the tree. This photograph symbolizes generations who will grow up freely embracing the symbiotic relationship that has been
there from the beginning between man and tree. We coexist so that both can have life, breath, and give nourishment to one
another. I used a 50 mm lens to give a feel of an onlooker‘s perspective peering upwards, giving a vast view of the tree branches
which similarly patterns the bronchioles of the lungs. The photography is printed on acrylic to add to the dynamic appeal.”
-Jasmine Hill
Jasmine Hill, an Ohio native, graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design in 2009 with a focus in Illustration and
Media Studies. This also included an adventurous semester of studying abroad in Xi‘an, China, where she focused on Cultural
Photography and illustrative ink paintings. Whether it‘s capturing dynamic compositions through a lens of a camera or crafting
enticing stories through illustrations, Hill loves exploring the artistry of storytelling inspired by the beauty of natural elements
and her community, especially the youth.

19. JOSIAH JAMISON Hyper-Visibility | Oil, silver leaf | 2021
“My work revolves around the representation of black and brown bodies in America. Being Black and physically visible, in that we
are different from our white counterparts, is something most people of color have faced in their lives. Being visible yet simultaneously
invisible - overlooked and disregarded - and being separate from white America is something many black people are hyper-aware of.
I use contrasting flat black surfaces and reflective surfaces to shed light on this intersectional invisibility, challenging the viewer‘s
attention to see what is there and what is not. The use of portraiture and nontraditional material in oil painting allows me to explore
these ideas, while also revealing an experience that all people of color have gone through.”
-Josiah Jamison
Josiah Jamison is a contemporary realist painter who lives and works in Columbus, Ohio. They are currently completing their
Bachelor‘s Degree in Fine Art with a distinction in Painting at Columbus College of Art & Design. Their paintings, in their purest form,
are love letters to underrepresented voices. They paint with the intent to cherish and record black and brown people‘s personal
experiences and cultural practices. Through their art, they engage in the representation of black and brown bodies in America,
cataloging the practices, traditions, and social experiences to celebrate and commemorate their contributions to the world.
Their work comes from the need to push against this lack of representation. From a young age, Jamison had a hard time finding
themselves in their own identity. Their experiences revolving around The Black Lives Matter movement have put into perspective
what they value and cherish in life; interpersonal experiences and relationships. With recent years of self-discovery, they found
that in order to understand yourself properly, you must see the world around you and recognize your part in it. From this, they
would build the world they want to live in through painting. After completing their Bachelors, Jamison intends to pursue a
Master‘s Degree in Fine Art to inspire and help empower the next generation of black and brown artists.

20. LANCE JOHNSON Dream (rest/resistance) | Mixed media | 2021
“Rest is resistance.
Too often we in our communities are deprived of rest. Forced to combat realities that cause stress. To resist this is to rest.
Rest and contemplation give us space to dream, to create and to aspire to greater things.
Art is....INSPIRATION
Art has the power to change the world. Art helps us express ourselves freely. Allows us to creatively share our perspectives
and is instrumental in building bridges culturally, racially and economically.
As an artist, I use my work to inspire people from all walks of life. Especially young people who live in urban environments.
I want them to appreciate where they come from and to embrace the beauty around them but also aspire to greater things.
I use vibrant colors, textures and WORDS to inspire the viewer of my work. I use words like DREAM, INSPIRE, SHINE, LOVE,
LIVE, CREATE, BEAUTY, PEACE and WISDOM throughout my work to affect emotions in the viewer.
I grew up in the Bronx NY and recently moved to Columbus. I was drawn to Cbus because of the collaborative spirit of the
art community here and the way the city embraces the arts. It’s so dope to see artists supporting artists and that‘s what
I’m all about. Collaboration and connections. Artlife.”
-Lance Johnson

21. BRIAN JONES The Choreographer #1 | Acrylic | 2018
“The Choreographer #1 relates to the theme: variations found in nature. The piece reflects a beautiful tree with
white leaves, a color dramatic sunset suspended above wind blown grass.”
-Brian Jones
Brian Jones is a local visual artist who specializes in abstract, abstract landscape, and design. He started creating
art early in life, but didn’t take it seriously until 2006 when his mother, international artist Floristine Yancey-Jones,
encouraged him to start showing his works. That was the catalyst that propelled him into the world of art. Since then,
he has received The Ohio State University Vice Presidents award, which was his first art show, and he has been involved
in several art shows and sold numerous works. Jones will continue with his art endeavors, perfecting his skill and
evolving more and more as an artist.

22. DIONNA KENDRICK Resilience | Pencil | 2021
“I chose the title Resilience, because of the perseverance and struggle the average black woman must face to be
accepted in society. Each leaf has the name of an empowering black woman who has made an impact or left their
mark on society. The daffodils represent the unachieved dreams of black American due to racism and doubt. The vines
represent the tie or inescapable connection we have to our skin and the history of our skin, our heritage. The roots
represent our love for one another and the encouragement and prayers from those in our communities. They also
represent the joy and pride we feel due to our accomplishments for our culture and families.”
-Dionna Kendrick
Dionna Kendrick is twelve years old, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She has one sibling, a brother, who is three
years younger than her. Currently a seventh grader, in her spare time, she enjoys reading graphic novels, writing and watching
Netflix . Since the age of two, Kendrick has enjoyed dancing, but her real passion is drawing and creating.
Outside of school she attends art classes through TRANSIT ARTS. Kendrick plans to attend the Columbus College of Art
and Design (CCAD), to become either an interior designer, event planner, full time artist, or fashion designer.

23. TIFFANY LAWSON What da’ Manna? | Acrylic, mixed media | 2021
“God is nature. When we trust in God, our needs are met, especially in the wilderness (of life). This piece is based on
Exodus 16:15. KJV, ‘And when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, It is manna: for they wist not what
it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.’
My art is created from items and images that are at hand; previous drawings and items/images collected over time.
I have found the practice of collecting and arranging to be innate; a process that recovers the past, secures the present
and expects the future. Anchored in my spirituality, culture, and womanhood, I use songs, lyrics, and verse as my
mechanism to collect images; in tandem with the present; reconstructing stories for the future.”
-Tiffany Lawson
A professional multidisciplinary artist, Tiffany Lawson obtained a B.A. in Mass Communications from The Ohio State
University in 2005. Lawson states, “as a teenager, I began to realize my purpose as a participant of community arts
programs in Columbus, Ohio. I had access to galleries and museums across Ohio, which broadened my access to
and understanding of the arts. These programs also exposed me to local influences such as Aminah B.L. Robinson,
Grandpa Smokey Brown and family, and Richard Duarte Brown who nurtured my creativity. I was also mentored by
artist Gilda Edwards. Professionally, through continued use of the arts community and programs I sharpened my skills
and developed a creative voice; shown at galleries in Ohio and nationally.”

24. DESTINY MANSON God’s Creation/Blossom | Photography | 2020
“A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.”
- Max Muller
Destiny has been described as kind, helpful, sweet, and an absolute pleasure to have in class by her teachers!
She has received recognition for perfect attendance and student of the month.
While watching cartoons and movies she would imitate in great detail the characters she saw. She also knew every
line after watching a movie one time! Destiny shows great enthusiasm, excitement, and willingness to work hard
whenever the opportunity is presented for a role. Destiny made her debut role in December of 2018. Starring in her
first Christmas play. She played one of the lead characters and received much applause and praise for how well
she presented her character at so young of an age.
Destiny enjoys cooking, baking, fashion, dancing (currently in gymnastics), drawing and reading. She aspires to be an actress or
a model, and enjoys time spent with her family and friends. Destiny participates in a non profit organization started by her aunt.
This organization is to teach and guide young girls, while instilling in them morals and values. Since being a part of this
organization, she has participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk. When she didn’t walk, she donated her time
handing out water bottles to other participants. Destiny is looking forward to the many other opportunities that await her!
She is thankful for her parents April and Derrick as well as her little sister D’Angel.

25. ALEESHA NASH Ancestor Ancestor | Digital illustration | 2021
“There are many atrocities that devastate the retelling of Black history. However, my existence is proof that my ancestors
were survivors. The tradition of honoring survivors has not broadly included the victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
and that needs to change. The relationship between my ancestors and the fields they labored in is what came to mind
when creating a piece of art for the theme: Resilience in Nature.
My digital painting, Ancestor Ancestor depicts a young slave girl’s view from the kitchen of a plantation house, while
she concurrently views a painting immortalizing Black history in a present-day museum. Additionally, the kitchen is
a subtle remark on colorism and its place in my own lineage. The slight optical illusion between the time periods allows
the girl to exist as both my ancestor and a young Black girl living today.”
-Aleesha Nash
Aleesha Nash is a multidisciplinary artist traversing disciplines of performance, video, and illustration. Over the past few
years, Nash’s work focused on themes addressing race, colorism, Western beauty standards, and positive youth development.
She is interested in stories that help shift the inaccuracies around Black cultural identity. Her work has been seen
Off-Broadway at Cherry Lane Theatre, The National Black Theatre, The Flea Theater, Primary Stages, The Wild Project,
The Arctic Group, Kraine Theatre, the Orange Giraffe Project, as well as the Drama League in New York City and at Goddard
College in Vermont. Nash is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab and the Stage Directors and Choreographers
Foundation Observership Program. She holds an MA from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education,
and Human Development, and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Goddard College in Vermont, where she received their
Engaged Artist Award.

26. DIEGO PABLO The Red Door | Illustration | 2021
“I just looked or imagined something or someone in a format. If I liked it, I would try to make it. My Ma, my art teachers,
and my art mentor have pushed me to continue art. I have overcome thresholds of my comfort zone, pushing myself with
the assistance of my influencers to have my horizons broadened. And my creative process? Just make anything that comes
to mind. All it needs is a steady hand and understanding of what you are making.”
-Diego Pablo

27. ARIEL PEGUERO Wondering When | Print, digital | 2020
“The main figure is a young black man with a halo above his head floating. He hovers over a garden and in between
two flowers. One is a yellow sunflower with an eye that is half closed; as if to say ‘I‘m not surprised?‘ The other flower
is spikey and a bit more ferocious. The clouds in the sky share the same sentiment as the flower. The sun and the moon
share the sky to show that the figure is in a sort of limbo; in between night and day. With the use of a mobile phone
and augmented reality the viewer can reveal a further message.”
-Ariel Peguero
Ariel Peguero is an established artist and designer currently residing in Columbus, Ohio. Acquiring a BFA in
Advertising & Graphic Design with a minor in Fine Arts from the Columbus College of Art & Design, he focuses
on curating experiences and building engaging, interactive and unique campaigns around them. Expertly versed
in the Adobe Suites, he blends platforms to create the iconic visuals that brands need. Notable clients include Pepsi,
Cash Explosion, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Woodford Reserve and The City of Columbus.

28. LYNNE PRILLERMAN The Beauty of Fungi | Photography | 2020
“I shot this piece of work while walking in Franklin Park. I am always looking for unique creativity in my natural
surroundings. I happened to look down and discovered a cluster of mushrooms; all different shapes, sizes and textures
surrounded by blades of grass. The composition of the mushrooms was so creative it spoke to me. I saw unity, family,
and growth which showed resilience in the difficult time we are living in today. As I was editing the work I changed the
color of mushrooms to purple to represent royalty. I was so blessed to capture the natural beauty of the fungi through
the lens of my camera.
‘Knowing that every good and perfect gift comes from above’. It is my desire to create images in various mediums that
will allow you to explore your spirituality through the arts. I am also a portrait artist that uses our human experience to
create an avenue that allows us to embrace one another. Hopefully through viewing my art, you can relate to the pains
and joys of life. Believing all things are possible and that hope is available to you.”
-Lynne Prillerman
Lynne Prillerman is a two-Dimensional visual artist residing in Columbus, Ohio. She holds a B.A. in Art Education and is
a retired art educator of thirty four years from the Columbus City School District, Columbus, Ohio. She has exhibited
both locally and nationally at universities and galleries, in group and one-woman shows. She is a nationally published
artist in And a Child shall Lead Them calendar and started the art movement, Real men don’t Sag, for the urban
communities across the country. Prillerman is a member of Creative Women of Color and the owner of L’s Gallery,
Columbus, Ohio. Her studio is located at Millsworks Art Studios on the near eastside of Columbus.

29. STEFANIE RIVERS Steady Force | Textile | 2021
“Trees are the foundation of nature supporting the surrounding and greater community by developing solid ground,
shading growing earth and cleaning the clear, blue skies.
The definition of art, ‘the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination’ (Google).
As a school psychologist that deals with strong emotions daily, art is the perfect vehicle to move these emotions
to a beautiful, calming and releasing space.”
-Stefanie Rivers

30. ASYA SHINE Soul Sisters | Kanekalon braiding hair, natural wheat | 2021
“Soul Sisters showcases the complex pattern of braiding formed by the intertwining of multiple strands of human and
plant fiber. In plant species this pattern is physically replicated in structure, shape, and other geometric variations.
In the human population, braiding interweaves a wide range of similar physical and social relationships: it expresses
individuality, represents heritage, and serves as a reminder of the resiliency of the Black community. The work touches
on themes of biomimicry, diversity, and adaptation. Functioning as more than a tool for hair care, hair braiding interweaved
a range of functions throughout Black history. During slavery, hair braiding became a navigation tool and means to store food.
Braids were used to map escape routes, for instance, the number of plaits worn could indicate travel distances and meeting
locations. The coarseness of afro-hair made it a frequent place to store food, so women often braided grains and seeds into
their children’s hair before separation.
To create the two pieces, 50-inch-long Kanekalon braiding hair was braided to a length of 30 feet each. This required taking
the additional strips of braiding hair and folding it in half into the shaft of the braid. Pieces of the natural wheat fiber are
braided into these 30-foot-long braids, some hidden, and some revealed. The braids are then adhered continuously to the
canvas, mimicking trails of various maps, to represent how braids served as navigation tools.”
-Asya Shine
Asya Shine is an interdisciplinary artist based in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio State alumnus, Shine holds two degrees in Architecture
and currently practices at a firm that specializes in multi-family housing. As a practicing architectural designer, Shine’s work seeks
to investigate the connections between art, space, and identity. Through a combination of mediums, Shine is heavily inspired by the
cultural and social effects of the African Diaspora, as they pertain to individual expression, resilience, and community building.

31. STACY SPENCER Hanging By A Limb | Acrylic, paper mache, clear coat | 2021
Up Rooted | Acrylic, clear coat | 2021
“Hanging by a Limb is 3-D textured and acrylic art that tries to capture the essence of those in our communities who dare to
coexist yet struggle to get along. With good intention, the goal is to hang in there and not give up. Our country is worth the fight!
Uprooted. Gen*tri*fi*cation: The process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in,
improving housing, and attracting new businesses, typically displacing current inhabitants in the process.This acrylic
monochrome painting is enhanced with a colorful and lively tree which displays (as you look closely at the roots) the
biomimicry of people of color as they struggle while forcibly being up-rooted from their homes and community.
Each leaf that falls and is caught, represents hope toward their next phase of life.”
-Stacy Spenser
Stacy Spencer, native of Columbus, Ohio since 1962, is the mother of a beautiful daughter, a sister to a beautiful
sister and relative to many and tries to be a friend to all. Stacy retired from the Federal Government in 2011 and
is currently serving as a chaplain in an adult male, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. She’s strong
in her faith, loves the great outdoors, enjoys people, gardening, painting and crafts. She hopes to meet you one day
to share a smile.

32. PAISHA THOMAS Ala:Shewhobeginsandendstheseasons | Ceramic clay, glaze | 2021
“Ala: She who begins and ends the seasons is made with a dark brown ceramic, high-fire clay, and glazed. This piece was thrown in five
parts starting with the globe which contains only the continent of Africa, Ala and her roots which embrace and cover the globe - or Earth.
After throwing the globe, the Venus form, head/neck, arms and water tray were thrown and attached. Ala was then bisque fired, glazed,
and glaze fired. Repeating the glaze and glaze firing a second time to add depth to the blue color of the roots, which were rolled into
coils, attached and sculpted before bisque firing.
In the Odinani tradition of the Igbo people of southern Nigeria, Ala means ‘of the earth‘ or the ground herself. The goddess Ala holds the
power to make the earth fertile, productive, abundant. She is the guardian of women and children. Ala’s characteristics are those found
in African people of the continent and the diaspora. The fruit that we have produced through innovating in every possible way has been
beneficial around the world. Technology, math and sciences, music, the arts, fashion, and film are only some of the fields in which the
intellectual and creative genius of Black human beings can be found. Although white supremacy has continued to systematically
oppress people of the African diaspora, we remain. We continue to create and build. We still bring joy through the works of our minds
and hands. We are resilient.”
-Paisha Thomas
Paisha Thomas, a storyteller, dedicates her vocal and visual artistic talents to singing songs of freedom, creating work which elevates
the beauty of the fat Black woman, and lifting up the need to end state-sponsored violence against Black people. As a descendent of
John Randolph’s Freed People, Thomas integrates her own ancestors’ struggle for reparations after the state of Ohio sanctioned a violent
hijacking of the land which Randolph purchased for them upon their freedom. As co-founder of Say It Loud Columbus, Thomas works to
combine music with protest in the movement for racial equality, while providing paid opportunities for musicians to participate. Through
a combination of pottery and sculpting, Thomas designs pieces which echo her values of liberation and self-worth. She currently serves
as Racial Justice Campaign Coordinator with Faith in Public Life, and as a freelance instructor discussing the role of the arts in social
justice movements.

33. LISA TYUS-LEE Behind Bars | Phototography, metal print | 2020
“This photograph signifies the urgent need for prison reform. African American men represent the largest
number of people incarcerated in US prisons and are at least twice as likely to be profiled by police than
their caucasian male counterparts. When I came upon this composition on a walk, the vibrant, sundrenched
leaves, growing through the black bars, struck me as nature’s depiction of the enduring struggle African
American men have been forced to face for decades. The leaves flickering in the sunlight juxtaposed against
the stark, coldness of the metal bars, conjured a sense of hope that there could be an end to this barbaric,
punitive assault on these men.”
-Lisa Tyus-Lee
Fascinated with nature, human interactions with nature, and the juxtapositions of nature and constructs,
Lisa Tyus-Lee has been composing photographs since her introduction to the medium in a high school class.
When taking pictures, she hopes to create images that slow down time to reveal beauty in the mundane and
to allow viewers to enjoy some of life’s simplicities with wonder. Tyus-Lee is a Columbus native where she
still resides, is happily married, and the mother of two adult children.

34. VONA WALKER We Share Trauma | Mixed media painted record | 2021
Vona Walker is a non-binary Black artist from Columbus, Ohio.

35. NINA WELLS Learning to Let Go | Digital photography | 2020
“Releasing is in our nature. The rise and fall of our breath, the sun, and the moon all remind us of the beauty
of time fleeting. To mourn the light a person once brought in your life, or the person you once were, or maybe
that memory that makes your stomach warm–is to acknowledge the beauty of what once was. The hard part
is accepting that nothing will ever be exactly the same again.”
-Nina Wells
Nina Wells was born and raised in South Euclid, Ohio, and began her journey in photography at the age of sixteen.
What started as taking photos overlapped with motivational words for her peers, turned into a thriving passion to
connect with her audience through content creation. After receiving the Best Photography Portfolio Award of her
Senior Class, Wells attended Columbus College of Art & Design in 2018 to learn more about herself and her
relationship with Photography. It was through her Adobe workshop courses that Wells fell in love with the
transformative aspect of Photography and began to create more conceptual vibrant images. The 2020 Pandemic
forced her to connect with her audience in a new way, by creating imagery inspired by quality time in nature and
adoration for music. Her goal is to work collaboratively with other artists in hopes of connecting and amplifying
the voice of the viewer.

36. FLORISTINE YANCEY-JONES The Blackberry Pickers | Acrylic | 2017
“The Blackberry Pickers is a wonderful, colorful landscape/memory from my Childhood Collections. One of fourteen
paintings in the Childhood Collection, the piece reflects my cousins and I picking blackberries on a hot summer day
in rural Virginia. The painting relates to the theme, ‘nature as a problem solver . The problem: my grandmother and
older family members wanted blackberries to make delicious pies, cobblers, jams, and jellies. The solution: the children
will pick the berries that are provided by nature. Problem solved!“
-Floristine Yancey-Jones
Since a child Floristine Yancey-Jones has loved to create and design. In 1973 she published her first book of poetry titled,
A Black Woman’s Soul. As a former teacher for Greater Columbus Arts Council Artists-in-School program, Yancey-Jones developed
syllabi in five disciplines in which she taught Visual Arts, Clothes Design, Poetry, and Line Art, from kindergarten through
college throughout the state of Ohio. She also holds twenty-two Copyrights and one Trademark. In 1988 she began to draw
and in 1989 her work was displayed and sold at the Columbus Museum of Art. In 1990 she began to
paint and in 1991 her work was shown internationally through Ohio Arts Council’s Overseas Foreign Office exhibition program.
Yancey-Jones’ work has been shown on local, as well as national television, and her work has gone into many private
collections. Her work has been in numerous exhibitions and auctions. Yancey-Jones has received awards in her disciplines
including an Accommodation from the Ohio House of Representatives. Yancey-Jones is a former Council Women from the
State of Virginia, twice a part of Virginia History, once a part of Ohio History, and once a part of United States History.
She lectures at different universities and colleges in a multi-discipline of History, Visual Arts, Poetic Readings, and Ethnic
Pluralism. She attended Capital University as a Liberal and Professional Studies and Communications major.