Andrew Nichols

As an artist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Andrew Nichol's passion for art ignited at an early age. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, he became acutely aware of the struggles and triumphs of the African diaspora. This awareness, combined with a love for painting, shaped his artistic journey. Andrew Nichols work delves into the multifaceted experiences of the African diaspora, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and cultural heritage. Through his paintings, he aims to capture the essence of these narratives, shedding light on the rich tapestry of African American history and its impact on contemporary society. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of New York City and the allure of Hollywood, Nichols art reflects the convergence of these two influential cultural hubs. He seeks to bridge the gap between the urban grit of Brooklyn and the glamour of Hollywood, creating a visual dialogue that resonates with viewers from all walks of life. Using a combination of bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and intricate details, Andrew strives to evoke emotions and provoke thought. Each stroke on the canvas is a deliberate attempt to capture the essence of struggle, resilience, and triumph that defines the African diaspora. Through art, Andrew Nichols aims to challenge societal norms, confront stereotypes, and celebrate the beauty and strength of the African American community. By highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the African diaspora, he hopes to inspire dialogue, foster understanding, and promote social change.

Briana McNeil

Briana is an abstract artist working in Montclair, New Jersey. "Affectation" is her introductory series without a classical education in the studio arts, thus its apt, yet vulnerable title. In 2020, she became intrigued with the capsule shape prevalent in the series and its multiform ability on the two-dimensional plane. Each composition communicates resource and substance despite limits or restriction while supporting their individual subjects. Her use of black and white, textured medium not only extends this message, but amplifies its expression. ​

Bryan Collier

Born in Pocomoke, Maryland, Bryan Collier’s interest in art started very early inspired by “The Snow Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson. He began to develop a unique style of painting that incorporated both watercolors and collage. He says, “Collage is more than just an art style. Collage is all about bringing different elements together. Once you form a sensibility about connection, how different elements relate to each other, you deepen your understanding of yourself and others.” Bryan’s art has been displayed in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. and he was awarded a scholarship to Pratt Institute in NYC where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Today Bryan spends his time working on his book illustrations, creating his fine art pieces, and talking with teachers, librarians and students about books and art.

Demetric Denmark

Demetric Denmark, born in Winter Haven, Florida, first discovered his talent for art at Winter Haven High School, where it was recognized and nurtured. He attended Kansas State University, where he deepened his art studies and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1997. He attributes his inspiration to his grandfather, well-known artist James Denmark, and his own children. Denmark's collages, paintings, and portraits were showcased at the 2004-2005 National Black Fine Art Show in New York and various exhibitions in the Washington, DC area. Currently residing and working in Florida, he continues to explore mixed media, incorporating fabric, cut-out collage elements, and highly textured paint into his artistic endeavors.

Emmett Wigglesworth

Muralist, painter, sculptor, fabric designer, and poet, Emmett Wigglesworth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended the College of Art and later enlisted in military service. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corp. in 1957 and has resided in New York since 1958. Mr. Wigglesworth has designed and illustrated several books and magazines for various publishing companies including Harper and Row, McGraw Hill, Macmillan Press, American Books, and Sesame Street magazine. He's combined his poetry and printmaking, produced a documentary on "Aging," and designed the covers for two volumes of the Journal of Black Poetry. He taught art at the New Muse in Brooklyn, the J.O.I.N. Center, the Children's Art Carnival, and the Harlem Parents Association in Manhattan. He was also an instructor for several special programs for the Board of Education, where he taught academics through art. Mr. Wigglesworth participated in the Civil Rights movement starting in 1959 and in the early '60's taught art at the CORE Freedom School in Selma, Alabama. During that time he wrote and directed two plays for the CORE Freedom Theater in San Francisco. In 1968 he designed the interior and exterior of the Bedford Stuyvesant Theater in Brooklyn. He also designed costumes and stage sets for the Black Spectrum Theater in Queens, N.Y. His work has been exhibited in Ghana and throughout the U.S. and his mural commissions include: private homes, P.S. 181 in Brooklyn, the New York Cultural Council, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Kings County Hospital, Abyssinian Development Corporation and the Brooklyn Children's Center and eleven murals for the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation and Urban Resource Institute (ARTC-URI). Emmett Wigglesworth is a member of the National Conference of Artists, the Weusi Artists N.Y.C., the Association of Caribbean and American Artists, AAA Artists and Cross Sections, as well as the Fulton Art Fair Artists.

Floyd Strickland

Floyd Strickland, a versatile artist based in Los Angeles, CA, offers a reflective and critical exploration of American culture, particularly through the perspectives of Black and brown children. Inspired by his childhood environment, Strickland employs realistic figures that intertwine with aspects of American cultural imagery, resulting in ethereal and figurative paintings. His artistic journey is a testament to the distinctiveness of his work. Having previously engaged in building and renovating elementary schools nationwide, he observed a troubling lack of confidence in many Black and brown children—a struggle he experienced during his upbringing. To address this issue, Strickland embarked on a mission to create large-scale figurative oil paintings depicting these children's beauty, strength, and untapped potential. Strickland's own children often serve as focal points in his artwork, reflecting his deep care and emotional connection to them. He strives to portray them as larger-than-life figures, conveying his immense love for them. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Strickland continues to pursue his artistic endeavors, crafting pieces that challenge and inspire viewers to reconsider preconceptions about race, identity, and the human experience. Throughout his career, Strickland has showcased his art in a variety of solo and group exhibitions, including "Super Rich Kids" and "The World is Yours" at ThinkSpace Projects and Art Angels in Los Angeles, CA. Notable group exhibitions at Detour Gallery in New York, the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam and many more. Strickland's exhibitions span internationally and locally, reflecting his commitment to exploring themes of identity, culture, and social justice through his artwork.

Gerald Byrd

Gerald Byrd's work is a dynamic dialogue between history and lived experience-a visual narrative that bridges the traditions of old world painting with the contemporary struggles and triumphs of Black America. Born in the post-integration Deep South and raised in the resilient confines of a governmental housing project, Byrd's artistic journey is deeply rooted in his personal history. Weekends spent at his grandmother's house-a rural slave cabin surrounded by fields of wildflowers and butterflies, without the modern convenience of running water-imbued him with a profound connection to his ancestral past. This juxtaposition of beauty and hardship informs his powerful, meticulously rendered images.
Byrd reimagines Black bodies and historical figures through classical techniques, inviting viewers to explore a layered past that is as rich with sorrow as it is with the strength and vitality of a people who have overcome immense adversity. His canvases echo the complexity of Black life, capturing moments of quiet dignity, communal resilience, and unyielding joy.
Byrd's art is inseparable from his lifelong commitment to his community. Serving as an alderman for twenty years and founding a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the arts to underserved neighborhoods, he embodies the intersection of artistic vision and civic responsibility. Each brushstroke in his work serves as an act of reclamation-restoring forgotten narratives, affirming identity, and challenging traditional portrayals of Black history. In doing so, Byrd not only pays homage to the resilience of his forebears but also inspires a renewed dialogue about empowerment, representation, and the transformative power of art in the struggle for social justice.

Leila Rose Fanner

Leila Rose Fanner is a painter and illustrator. Born to a South African artist and an African American musician, she was raised in South Africa and currently works from her studio close to Cape Town. In her work, Leila is “depicting the gentle, natural feminine presence, the spirit of Mother Nature or the essence and potential of the Soul” as she states it. Leila’s subject matter explores the symbolic language of dreams and the subconscious landscape of emotions from a very personal, distinctly feminine perspective. Through her art, she unfolds a story about the soul's journey within the material world, often referencing African flora and fauna, fabric patterns and folklore.

Mason Archie

Mason Archie is considered one of the foremost contemporary oil painters of his generation, often working in the traditional old master style of painting, reminiscent of a 19th-century painter. Best known for his landscapes, Archie’s work blends impressionism and realism with a more vibrant and contemporary palate. These picturesque landscapes capture nature's serene, luminous quality at the edges of daylight. Archie’s enchanting images encourage viewers to think about this “brilliant light,” the way it glows, its warmth, and its reflection. Archie’s ability to combine traditional and realistic styles creates artworks that feel natural to the viewer yet depict critical aspects of African American history. Mason transitioned into becoming a full-time fine artist in 2005, quickly gaining recognition for his mastery of traditional realism. Using quality materials and drawing on techniques learned from studying the old masters, he became a luminary in the art world.  Born and raised in Dayton, OH, Archie’s natural talent for art emerged early as local teachers recognized his considerable talents and put him to work drawing diagrams for class or painting backdrops for school plays. Acceptance into a prestigious high school, Patterson Co-Op, catapulting him into success in pictorial art and outdoor advertising. After graduating, Archie began working full-time for Lamar Outdoor Advertising Company, eventually becoming the youngest art director the company would have. Archie also started his own small commercial sign company and specialized in graphic design. He later founded Kindred Spirits, an inclusive space where disenfranchised youth could create, learn computer graphics, gain financial literacy, and access art education and exposure. Mason Archie’s exploration into African American history has influenced some of his work, including the Quilt Code, Underground Railroad and Inkwell series. For example, his Quilt Code series showcases how quilts were used as mnemonic devices for guiding enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad. It has been documented that ​​a safe house along the Underground Railroad was often indicated by a quilt hanging from a clothesline or windowsill with embedded code to warn of immediate dangers or where to head next. Mason’s works of art have been exhibited at esteemed venues, such as The Schuster Art Center, The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, The Indiana State Museum, The Haan Museum, The Charles H. Wright Museum, The David C. Driskell Center, The Indianapolis Art Center, The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the Herron Galleries, and The National African American Museum Cultural Center. Among his numerous accolades, Mason was featured in The International Review of African American Art, American Art Collector, American Lifestyle Magazine, Black Art in America, and The American Art Review.  Mason is the recipient of the 2007 Creative Renewal Fellowship from The Art Council of Indianapolis/Lilly Endowment and the 2020 DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award. His consistent recognition in prestigious competitions, including a perennial award winner from 2007 – 2009 and 2023 in the Hoosier Salon’s Annual Juried Exhibit, in addition to, Artist of Distinction Award in the Indiana Artist Club Members Exhibit which are two of the oldest competitions in the country. Mason’s most recent awards include the 2023 Haan Museum "Generations" Invitational Best of Show Award and the 2024 Hoosier Art Salon, and Clowes Collaborative Best of Show Award. Mason's works are in corporate and institutional collections, including The Indiana State Museum, The Richmond Art Museum, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Art, Nationwide Corporation, Wells Fargo, Lilly Endowment, Elanco (a Division of Eli Lilly), Eskenazi Health, and Community South Hospital. His artwork is also in private collections of corporate, executives and celebrities across the country.

O'Neil Scott

O'Neil Scott is a Pennsylvania based representational oil painter. Captivated by portraiture and its capacity to impart complexities that comprise the human condition his work is designed to give a voice to marginalized communities. His paintings convey contemporary subject matter and look to give the viewer a way to understand and relate across social boundaries. He had his third solo show in 2022 and has been in numerous publications including Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, American Art Collector Magazine, and Artist Magazine. His work is in private collections across the United States and Internationally. He currently has a solo exhibition planed for Villanova University in 2023 and a Solo Museum Exhibition at the Zillman Art Museum in 2025.

Tolu Ayorinde

Tolu Ayorinde is a Nigerian/American painter and art educator in New York City. Born in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Tolu earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly the University of Ife in Nigeria. He also earned a Master’s degree from the City University of New York. Striving for movement and rhythm in his paintings, Tolu’s works are often motivated by scenes of nature from his travel experiences, and an insatiable interest in visual interpretations of history and folklore. In addition to working on paper, canvas and mixed-media, Tolu has explored and successfully incorporated “bold painting knife technique” to achieve texture and other effects. His paintings are adorned with intricate use of color theory, especially in his depictions of historical accounts, which is evident in his many personalized projects commissioned in his colorful abstract style. Tolu recently participated in the Sixteenth Harlem Fine Art Show at the Glass House in New York. He currently lives in Queens, New York, and is employed as a Visual Arts Instructor for the City of New York public school system.

William Daniels

William graduated from SUNY Empire State College, earning his B.A. in Visual Arts/Curatorial Studies and earned his Ph.D. in Art Theory, Philosophy, & Aesthetics from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts. William is a multidisciplinary artist who works primarily in textile. His art quilts and accessories feature traditional quilt blocking and paper piecing techniques and occasionally incorporate nontraditional components. His inspiration derives from urban art practice that confront contemporary issues. He often integrates modern archetypes with historical, societal, or spiritual topics. From 2014 to the present, he has received numerous awards including both the 2019 Male Quilt Artist of the Year Award from the National African American Quilt Convention, and the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by the African American Quilt Museum.