Chasity Leake

Asheville, North Carolina

As an artist, my work reflects the diverse experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community, woven together with the limitless possibilities of the future. Inspired by the themes of empowerment, resilience, and hope found within Afrofuturism, I seek to create art that captivates the imagination and sparks meaningful conversations about social justice and equity. Through my exploration of Afrofuturism, I aim to reimagine the world through a lens of optimism and possibility, challenging traditional narratives and envisioning a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. My artwork serves as a visual narrative, weaving the past, present, and future to create a tapestry of imagination and innovation.

Hana Johnson

Atlanta, Georgia

I spend a lot of time dreaming about a world where there is freedom for Black beauty to exist in any and all forms, in any and all decades, without restrictions or critique.

I have always been in love with the vintage world, but when I flip through old magazines that fueled beauty standards and not a single image of black women is presented, I know that there has always been a gap in capturing the image of black beauty in the past. For that reason, I dedicate my time as an artist towards illustrating Black beauty as I know it from the past and present.

Jillian Hooper

Hendersonville, NC

I am an artist from Hendersonville, NC. I find inspiration all around me in the people I see and meet. When I see someone who has a unique appearance or style, I try to capture the moment. My goal is to highlight the inner aspects of a person through my drawings.

I believe represenation is important and I try to showcase the beauty in a diverse group of people.

I specialize in pencil, acrylic paint, and digital media.

Tarah Singh

Asheville, NC

Tarah Singh’s work is a conscious integration of her feminine energy, encounters, and heritage. She strives to create an amalgam of her experiences and dreams, providing a visual dichotomy between the raw emotions of her reality and her tender compassion towards humanity.

Her goal as an artist isn’t to make pretty pictures, but instead to have the viewer get a glimpse through her eyes as she documents the world around her.

On Display at the Foundry’s Workshop Lounge

Jerrie Settles

Asheville, NC

Jerrie’s art is an expression of being blessed, by God through her family, beyond measure.

In 2007 she authored and illustrated her first children’s book, A Prayer for Wings – A Journey of Nipaerilla the Caterpillar.

Over the years her art has taken on new dimensions, where she has tutored art students, taught art therapy classes, and expanded to digital art. No matter what the medium or the platform, the grace and love of God is always expressed in every creative work.

She signs all her work with JEMS

J- Jerrie her nick name
E- Essie her middle name from her grandmother, her childhood hero
M- Mae her grandmother’s middle name, Jerrie selected on adoption day
S- Settles her last name she received when marrying the love her life.

And the Lord said to me; “your signature means Jesus Eternally Making Sketches.” Now God is still working in her life behind the scenes; ensuring the sketches will never stop.

On Display at the Foundry’s Workshop Lounge

Alexandra Antoine

Chicago, IL

Alexandra Antoine is an interdisciplinary visual artist and cultural apprentice based in Chicago, IL. Her work acknowledges the influences of her Haitian culture and interest in portraiture, food, farming and the physical labor that goes into traditional artistic practices of the Afrikan diaspora. She honors her ancestors always and is currently growing food in several community gardens on the West side of Chicago!

She received an undergraduate degree from a fancy art school and exhibited her work in many places but collaborating with folks throughout the Afrikan diaspora is her life’s work.

Jenny Pickens

Asheville, NC

Jenny Pickens is an Asheville, NC area native. She is a self-taught artist who has been making art all her life. Working in mediums including fiber arts, pencil, pen & ink, pastels, oils, as well as hand built pottery and repurposed jewelry, Jenny’s work has been featured in a variety of articles, galleries & festivals around the community.Jenny also works with children in afterschool programs, such as YTL, IRL and Asheville City Schools TAPAS program, to help young artists curate their talent and love for creating. She creates and designs custom artwork pieces for private buyers as well as the Noir Collective AVL, also known as the Block, where her work can be viewed and purchased as she curates art and provides mentorship to other up & coming artists.

On Display at the YMI Art Gallery

Margo Vaughn

Asheville, NC

Margo Vaughn’s current series is experimental and exploratory in nature. Essentials of abstract contemporary painting, such as color theory, composition, balance, shape and texture, take the stage in partnership with expressive drawing. Her process entails creating many layers, adding and removing acrylic paint, using small embellishments such as tissue paper and collage as frequent visitors. A sense of depth is paramount in her intentions so a sense of falling into the painting is common and contributes to the dialogue between the viewer and the work. The viewer is encouraged to step closer, investigating underlying meanings and messages.

The emotional backdrop to her themes would be identifying the feelings that lay in the shadows of our mind but are not acknowledged in our outer reality or disclosed to those around us. Our shadow self is another layer of our identity, disclosing memories, reflections, regret, guilt, self hatred, along with such things as revenge, sorrows, dreams, and fears. An attempt to dialog with these fleeting moments of our human existence are the origins of these abstract paintings.

On Display at the YMI Art Gallery