ON VIEW IN THE PATRICIA BARLAND GALLERY

Coming Soon…

Brooklyn Park Middle School Apex Arts Exhibition

Patricia Barland Gallery I February 20 – March 4, 2025

Reception: February 26, 2025 5 - 7pm

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The Apex Arts Magnet program at Brooklyn Park Middle School showcases a vibrant collection of student artwork, reflecting the talent and creativity nurtured through its arts-infused curriculum. This program, along with its counterpart at Bates Middle School, emphasizes the importance of focused arts instruction delivered by qualified teachers and professional artists, significantly enhancing students' artistic abilities while promoting community engagement and collaborative learning.

ON VIEW IN HAL GOMER GALLERY

Shadows Of My Labor

An exhibition honoring Black History Month

Hal Gomer Gallery and Hallway I January 23 – March 4, 2025

Reception: February 20, 2025 6 - 8 pm

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This year's Black History Month theme, 'African Americans and Labor,' provides a vital platform to honor and recognize the impactful contributions of Black and African American artists across various disciplines. The exhibition will highlight not only their artistic achievements but also their roles in advancing social justice, cultural movements, and activism, creating a rich narrative that connects artistry with the labor that shapes society. Through visual arts, music, and activism, the showcased work will illuminate the intersections of creativity and the pursuit of equality, celebrating the enduring legacy and influence of Black and African American artists in these artistic fields.

Participating Artists:

Bolu Adeniran - Bolu is a Nigerian-born filmmaker based in Maryland. She graduated from University Of Maryland Baltimore County with a BFA in Visual Arts. My creative work focuses on using visual storytelling to encourage empathy. My mission is to create art centered around black experiences, anxiety-inducing situations, and freedom in all its forms.

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Jován Bethel - Through my art, I seek to navigate the complexities of a societal experience and explore the boundless possibilities of visual storytelling. Drawing upon a diverse array of mediums and techniques, I aim to transcend traditional boundaries and immerse viewers in an immersive sensory experience.

My artistic process is deeply rooted in introspection and observation. I am fascinated by the nuances of emotions, the delicate interplay of light and shadow, and the profound subtleties of the natural world. By meticulously capturing these fleeting moments, I invite viewers to embark on a journey of self-reflection, where they can delve into their own narratives and discover new perspectives.

Inspired by the interplay between the tangible and the intangible, my work invites viewers to explore the depths of their consciousness; merging traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create bold and evocative compositions that challenge preconceived notions.

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Rashid Cornish - Rashid Cornish was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been creating art all his life. He is inspired by his experiences with memories, dreams, and spirituality. Over time his work has developed into a blend of realism and abstraction to symbolize altered states of consciousness. The idea of reality changing based on perception is expressed through multiple layers of paint, rhythmic movement, and a strong sense of depth in his paintings.

He received his first formal training in high school when he attended The Baltimore School for the Arts. Upon graduating from BSFA, Rashid attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After completing a semester at The Institute, he transferred to the School of Visual Arts. Upon receiving his BFA he worked as an illustrator for the companies Tangible Thoughts and Airmagination before deciding to focus on his personal work.

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Ayana Cruz Rice - “I am a Black figurative/ abstract artist who pulls colors and inspiration from the Black community who shaped and nutured me.”

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Lové Dempsey - Lové Iman is an artist with something to say. Born in Italy and raised in Prince George's County, MD she's lived a number of lives and incorporates visual, written, and audio techniques to communicate her unique perspective. She oscillates between a variety of mediums to explore topics including identity and place, juxtaposing materials against the themes of her pieces. Lové uses her artistry to transmute heavy emotions, creating pieces that provoke thought, fight stigma, and invite people to interact with the world around them.

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Diamond Gray - “I utilize art as storytelling, healing, and reclaiming practice. As a Black queer woman, art is an avenue I use to document, archive, and tell my family's history. I come from a long line of matriarchs that cultivate community, care, and devotion; My art is an homage to the erasure of the voices and presences of Black women and femmes in history. Specifically through clothing, hair, India ink, paper, collage, drawing, video, sculpture. Additionally, I use audio to record my family's migration throughout the United States as a Black working-class woman. I continue the tradition of maintaining their existences through various forms of art.

Art is my salve to heal the various traumas in my life connected to my body, Blackness, gender, and familial death. Generational trauma is not uncommon amongst families, mainly descendants of chattel slavery. The therapeutic process of drawing, collaging, and printmaking is my outlet to cope with this. Essentially, I use my art practice to mend wounds, celebrate my ancestors, and recognize the thriving community I hail from.”

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Katrina Griffis - “As an artist, I am a storyteller, weaving narratives that celebrate the multifaceted beauty and resilience of black women through mixed media, generative ai art and collage. I've coined the term "AI Collaborative Artist". Creating using generative ai art is taboo for many artists, but coming from a fashion design background that often "borrows" and reinterprets, I've adopted AI as another tool or medium in creation. Taking my original art, incorporating AI and flipping it two or more times to create even more unique art pieces. Rooted in my rich cultural heritage and empowered by the dynamic fusion of fashion, technology, and design, my work serves as a vibrant tapestry of expression and homage.

Drawing from my background in fashion design and fueled by a passion for innovation, I seamlessly integrate assisted technology into my creative process, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. Through the intricate layers of collage and the bold strokes of painting and drawing, I craft visual narratives that transcend boundaries and challenge perceptions.Central to my artistic vision is the celebration of natural black hair as a symbol of strength, identity, and pride. In each piece, I honor the diverse textures and styles that adorn black women, infusing every strand with a sense of reverence and empowerment.As an art educator, I am committed to fostering creativity and critical thinking in the next generation of artists. Through workshops and mentorship programs, I aim to inspire and empower individuals to explore their own unique voices and perspectives.Ultimately, my art serves as a testament to the resilience, beauty, and spirit of black women everywhere. Through each keystroke, brushstroke and collage fragment, I strive to amplify voices that have long been marginalized, celebrating the power of representation and the transformative potential of creativity.”

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Ayana Harris and Kenneth Harris - Ayana Harris is the creative director and assistant photographer for Zari Emerson, a kids’ clothing brand she founded to inspire Black children to embrace their individuality and walk with confidence despite the challenges they face in the world. A natural at styling and designing, Ayana is a multitalented visionary whose passion for fashion and nurturing young talent drives her work.

Since 2013, Zari Emerson has been dedicated to building generations of cultured, posh, little brown girls who know who they are, exude confidence, and demonstrate it through positive self-image and style. Ayana’s designs celebrate individuality while fostering a sense of pride and creativity, helping young Black girls develop the self-assurance to lead and thrive in every aspect of life.

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Stephfea Jackson - Stephfea (Stef-fee-a) Jackson is an artist whose work is deeply influenced by the beauty and resilience of Black and other marginalized communities. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved upstate to Brockport, NY at a young age. Growing up as one of a few Black families in Brockport, Stephfea developed a keen sense of empathy and compassion for those historically excluded from mainstream society. Her experiences have fueled her passion for creating art that celebrates people's strength, dignity, and humanity.

Through careful attention to detail, composition, and linework, Stephfea imbues each piece with a sense of intimacy and connection that invites the viewer to engage with the subject on a deeper level. ​ Ultimately, Stephfea's art celebrates the human spirit and a call to action for greater empathy and social justice.

By highlighting the beauty and complexity of marginalized communities, Stephfea aims to create a more inclusive and compassionate society, one piece at a time.

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HOPE McCorkle - HOPE (Tonisha Hope McCorkle) is an interdisciplinary artist and performer whose canvas is not just a surface but a portal for healing. She creates transformative and emotionally resonant works of art through painting, collage, movement, and sculpture. Weaving together threads of memories, color, and symbolism, HOPE constructs evocative representations that go beyond visual perception. Her creations provide a space for introspection, inviting viewers to explore the profound processes of transformation, intimacy, and self-discovery. Through her unique blend of storytelling and visual expression, HOPE's work not only invites observation but encourages a deep, empathetic connection that transcends the canvas.

HOPE holds a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Psychology from New York University. HOPE has received various awards and recognitions, including MSAC Creativity Grants, a DC CAH Art Bank Grant, a 2024 Andy Warhol Foundation’s GritFund Grant, and has work permanently installed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. Living and working in Baltimore, Maryland, HOPE currently serves as an Educator at the American Visionary Art Museum and is an Artist-in-Residence with Creative Alliance. HOPE's vision extends beyond herself, embracing a higher purpose that dives deep into the soul, inviting others to join her on a journey of hope, healing, and exploration.

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Dinah Myers Schroeder - Dinah Myers-Schroeder earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She graduated with four years of formal training, majoring in Environmental Design with a focus on Furniture and a minor in Sculpture. Dinah resides in Wheaton, Maryland, where she raised her three children full-time and is now working on her own development as an artist. Mrs. Myers Schroeder has created public art for the Arts and Humanities Council of DC and Montgomery County (AHCMC). Her most current public art projects Harmonic Hands of Change can be seen at the Department of Health and Human Services in Rockville, MD and The Soulful Panes can be seen on the windowpanes of the new Parks and Planning building in Wheaton MD. Most recently, she received the FY24 and FY23 Artists and Scholars grants from AHCMC for professional development. Dinah was able to take classes with the grant, have her work professionally photographed, and worked alongside a designer to create her website, anotherdinahmytecreation.com. She used the FY24 grant funds to develop a new body of artwork. Her art is in shows that celebrate diversity and inclusionary projects. Mrs. Myers-Schroeder's love for family motivates and inspires her life and radiates throughout her art. Whether she is creating sculptures, drawings, paintings, or digital pieces, her artwork is bold, vibrant, and full of texture.

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Chenell Turner - “I am a self-taught artist based in Baltimore, Maryland, with a lifelong dedication to art. Over the past four years, I have concentrated on fluid art, striving to refine my skills and explore new creative avenues. My journey as an artist involves continuous growth, self-discovery, and a commitment to stepping outside of my comfort zone, regardless of the challenges it may present.”

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Tyrone Weedon - Tyrone is a life-long Baltimorean, erstwhile resident of North Ave., and artist at Make Studio since 2012. His current artwork is strongly influenced by television, cartoons, movies and comic books; he often reflects on his childhood in his work, but likes to keep things topical, often creating celebrity “tributes” and statements with a political or public message included. He particularly likes to make art about superheroes, and about people that he sees in Baltimore and/or “thinks up in my head.”

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Erika Whitney Young - “Photographer, writer and advocate. Capturing my view because something good will come of this.”

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