Continuing the Legacy of Community Artistic Expression Building

Within my community art projects I strive to continue building upon the blueprint of other Black and Brown peoples that believed that the arts and creative expression are as essential to breathing air. Below are some examples that highlight my community art programming.

The Clay Studio of Philadelphia and Cecil B. Moore Library
Clay, Play, Read!
​Griot Story Guardian Sculptures

This was a wonderful project where we explored the intersection between clay making, literacy and storytelling with The Clay Studio of Philadelphia and Cecil b. Moore Library in Philadelphia.

I was inspired by the importance of West African griots in particular. We all have our storytellers in our various cultures. Griots are vital to their communities and they are key to passing down the information for and from generations.

In this project I wanted participants to know that they are Griots too and they each carry their own story and experienced that if shared we can learn from or enjoy. Each community member took the time to create a clay figure that represented them or a story that they knew.

​Each one of these sculptures was made to guard the stories and passion of each creator. They now sit permanently in the Cecil B. Moore Library in North Philadelphia to guard the other stories and be enjoyed by others.

To learn more about these projects click the links below:
www.theclaystudio.org/playeverywhere
​www.theclaystudio.org/exhibitions/cecil-b-moore-library-griot
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drive.google.com/file/d/1njXzS7LrNazQT52UMbgMxvdSwl3yiEZG/view?usp=sharing

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The African American Museum in Philadelphia
​Anna Russel Jones Exhibition

Anna Russel Jones was an African American artist, nurse, illustrator and textile designer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jones became the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. Along with the first African American woman from Philadelphia to join the Armed Forces during World War II. 

After coming from the war, Jones went to school at Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington D.C where she studied medical illustration. Afterwards, Jones returned to Philadelphia and worked and Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia as a nurse and later as an medical illustrator. 

​In this project youth and families engaged in learning about medical illustration as Anna Russel Jones may have done. There were options of learning about the hand, eyeball and heart. This also encouraged conversations of creative careers.

Learn more about Anna Russel Jones and the exhibition here: 
onlineexhibits.aampmuseum.org/anna-russell-jones/home/

hsp.org/blogs/archival-adventures-in-small-repositories/anna-russell-jones-a-life-full-of-firsts

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Chestnut Hill Library: Free Library of Philadelphia
Botanical Illustration-Philly Phlox Phlower

​This workshop highlighted the indigenous plants and their uses in and around Philadelphia. Chestnut Hill Library has a beautiful nursery and outdoor garden that we were able to be inspired.

I have been an  a lover of nature all the way back to my girl scout days and weekend going on hikes with my family. Developing nature based arts workshops has always been a part of my art. I loved learning about habitats, marine life and rainforests growing up. As an adult, I took classes at The Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators where I also learned more illustration techniques to capture what I call "God's Paint" (flowers)

This botanical illustration is of the Philadelphia Phlox Flower. It comes in colors of pink, white and indigo and I loved this soft lavender color. Phlox Flowers are pollinator plants. They encourage local insects and butterflies. Medicinal uses were used to treat the skin or digestive system. 

Learn more about the Phlox Flower here:
www.paenflowered.org/apgii/ericales/polemoniaceae/phlox/phlox-paniculata​

Philadelphia Phlox Phlower Botanical Illustration Watercolor pencil and ink on paper 2024

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Philadelphia Museum of Art:
African Pottery Surface Design

During this workshop I was able to share some of the techniques and surface designs that I use in my claywork and those of the African continent. One of the important aspects of the workshop was to convey that every village throughout the entire continent has their own signature technique and it is important to acknowledge these differences within the scope of the artform and the continent.

Africa is not a monolith and neither is any one person, their culture of their artforms. Guests were able to experiment with the clay and create their own surface designs.

Each design, texture and design has it's own language, aesthetic and purpose. As a pooter and ceramics within the African diaspora I was happy to share this with others. Clay is one of the oldest artforms and I am very passionate about exploring the medium and centering the clay practices of Africa, the African diaspora and peoples of the Global Majority.

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Celebrating Juneteenth Philadelphia

Celebrating Juneteenth is something that is very important to me.

Through research, project based learning and art making I am able to support community members in learning about the significance of Juneteenth and it's ideals of liberation. I think it is important to convey these ideas, histories and narratives to understand how we live today as Black people living in the United States.

​As an art educator I strive to support learning about Juneteenth throughout the year and not simply in June. To avoid being performative educators should strive to build intention all year round around within K-12 education learning the impact of this time period in American history.
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Participants in my workshops learn the significance of the Juneteenth Flag and Black Liberation Flags. Participants were able to create their own flag and choose the colors and patterns that best represent themselves and their ideas of self expression and liberation.

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Summer Search  and Amber Arts and Design:
Environmental Justice Brigade 2024

Every summer for the past few year I have had the privilege of working with Sumer Search Philadelphia and Amber Art and Design where we connect with local Philadelphia high school age youth who are interested and concern with environmental issues that affect us as Philadelphians.

Through project based learning, art making, research and outdoor experiences youth were able to gain a wide perspective of ways we can all combat issues of the environment. Some topics we discussed were, trash disposal, illegal dumping, supporting Philadelphia's natural habitats and water safety. All of these issues are connected to the well being of our city.

For their final project , youth were to research and create a mini zine about their topic. I love creating zines because the are a great way to connect art and literacy.