Mensah Bey is a native of Richmond, VA residing in Norfolk, VA. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Hampton University and his Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University. As an illustrator, painter, and printmaker, Bey explores the digital realm as a commentary on contemporary society. His graphic, hard-edged style is reminiscent of the works of Aaron Douglass Jacob Lawrence. Bey often draws inspiration from the Surrealist movement that challenged our perceptions of truth and reality, viewing the virtual world as an evolutionary subconscious that bridges our imaginations with the physical world.

Contact The Artist: www.mbeyarts.com ; facebook.com/mbeyarts ; Instagram: @mbeyarts

Michelle Richardson is the daughter of an artist who never pursued her gift. This would explain the passion and responsibility that Michelle feels to make the best of every opportunity and to create with purpose and a resolution. She has been fascinated with art for as long as she can remember, but it wasn’t until her high school years that she would realize that she was actually an artist. She recalls the times when, as a little girl, she would lay on the floor slowly turning back the oversized pages of her mother’s art books as she intensely studied each page through observation. Ironically, her mother threw away the art books, not realizing Michelle’s interest. Shortly after that, everything concerning art came to a halt for Michelle. There was only one other family member who was an artistic influence in her life; her uncle Jimmy. She recalls two portraits that he did of his son and daughter. This would be the first and only black portraiture artist who Michelle would know of for many, many years.

Growing up in a culture that didn’t take art seriously or had little to no interest in art could have played a role in Michelle’s decision not to pursue art for many years. With the support of her high school art teacher, Karen Thompson, Michelle found her hidden talent and passion for the arts; however, she would not immediately set her focus on an art career. After graduating high school, she felt that it was her responsibility to find “real” work as she had a 1-year-old son along for the ride. She attended community college while working at a local elementary school as a paraprofessional. She received an associate’s degree in health information technology but actually ended up at a law firm as a legal assistant. Her career in the legal field was her new passion and she would have it no other way. She returned to school and received a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and became a State Bar Certified Paralegal.

Ultimately, all of her experiences would lead her back to the arts. After getting married and having another son and a daughter, she decided that the demanding career as a paralegal was not something that she would be happy with; so, she decided to pursue a career that would allow her the flexibility and freedom that she felt would be needed for her kids. This would also allow her the opportunity to get her mother back into the arts, as she had long dreamed of becoming business partners with her mother. Her mother was her number one supporter. Michelle recalls how her mother would always help her prepare for art shows and vending events as well as attend them when her work schedule permitted. Not long after setting these business plans into motion, her mother would pass away.

As you can see, there is not much of an art education background, but all of life’s twists and turns that seemed to have had nothing in common are now actually used as teaching tools for Michelle in her current art career. From her life experiences, there are many key points that she keeps in mind and incorporates in her artwork. Among those points are the following: It is not how you start, it is how you finish; Change is inevitable, so take it with grace and make it work; Even when you can’t foresee how it’s going to all come together, keep working towards the bigger picture; See everything for what it is and make the necessary adjustments from there and If you can look back and find purpose, all is well.

Michelle works on the premise that change is "created". She loves searching for the beauty, the message, and the reason behind it all and believes that having some level of understanding is necessary for change.

She enjoys creating art that inspires, gives rise to emotions, increases self-awareness, and encourages critical thinking and better communication.

Her works include graphic design, portraiture, graphite drawings, watercolor, abstract art, acrylic paintings, mixed media, crafting, upcycling, card making, clay modeling, paper mache, props for stage plays, photo booths, and parties.

The style of her work would be best described as multifaceted as she creates art in various styles and mediums, using a wide range of imagery.

Website: www.michellezart.com; Facebook: Michellezart; Instagram: @michellezart

Mills began to pursue his interest in the arts following graduation in Long Island, NY. This pursuit of art as a career began when his high school art teacher and guidance counselor encouraged him to pursue his interest following graduation.

Patrick engaged in coursework at several schools and colleges, including NY State University at Farmingdale and Empire State College at Old Westbury. At Old Westbury, he completed an associate’s degree in Visual Arts.

Patrick worked as an instructor in creative art programs such as the Hands Across Long Island Outreach Center (HALO). These programs provide therapeutic modality for people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.

Patrick Mills has exhibited and sold his artwork in the metropolitan NY area, at African American art exhibits such as the museum in Baltimore, at the James Gallery in Washington, D.C., and at a juried African American art show at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA (2005).

Contact the Artist - Website: www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/patrick-mills - Email: pjmillsart@hotmail.com - Instagram: @patrick.mills.564

My collections are inspired by the books I read, the people I meet, the knowledge I have obtained, and the questions I seek. I use colors and symbols to convey abstract thoughts and emotions. I believe that through my Art I have the power to heal, inspire and enlighten. It feels like so much more than art to Me- I feel like I have been painting meditations. I have a deep passion for landscape art. I teach primarily landscape painting in my “Painted Meditations” adult and youth classes. The sky, water, and flowers all remind me to be patient and enjoy the cycles of life. They remind me to be grateful for my senses and that life is worth admiration.

Contact the artist: Website- www.poetryjackson.com Email- poetryjacksonforever@gmail.com Facebook- Poetry Jackson Instagram- @poetry_jackson

Life's positives and negatives have given Ramon "Ray" Johnson motivation to create art that expresses hope, strength, and determination. Ramon began drawing at an early age and shortly after high school, he created a comic strip titled "Comin' of Age" that was published in several small newspapers throughout Florida.

Ramon attended college in Atlanta, GA studying illustration at Atlanta College of Art (2003) and Savannah College of Art and Design (2005). In 2010 Ramon returned to his hometown Norfolk, Virginia, and became a self-taught painter. Within a couple of years, Ramon began to consistently display his artwork in the Hampton roads area of Virginia and surrounding areas including Richmond, VA, Washington DC, and Baltimore, MD.

Having two successful solo exhibitions, a handful of selected group exhibitions and a few publications Ramon has received regional recognition from his work. With oil and acrylic being his top mediums Ramon enjoys experimenting with different textures and mediums, including but not limited to sand, ceramic stucco, and gold leaf. In his artwork, Ramon addresses the themes of love, struggle, and togetherness. Using people of color Ramon expresses the universal meaning of life.

Artist Statement

As an artist, I aspire to create art that is meaningful and emotional. My art engages the representation of black beauty, strength, and perseverance. With the influences of artists like Dr. Fahamu Pecou, Patrick Dougher, and Clayton Singleton, I try to capture the power in what it means to be “black”. I want all people to be able to connect and relate to my work. But I particularly hope that people of color gain pride through the positive representation of the black men and women that I create.

In my work, I like to use men and women of color to express the topics of love, struggle, and togetherness. With acrylic and oil, my paintings of random nameless figures are full of emotion that come to life on canvas.

Contact the Artist - Website: www.rayjohnsonart.squarespace.com Instagram: @_rayjohnson_

Richard Press is a retired art instructor for the Norfolk Public School System. He obtained his BFA from Norfolk State University and continued taking courses at the University of Virginia and Cambridge College. He has also acted as the Visual Arts Coordinator for the Hampton Celebration of the Arts in Hampton, VA. He has had numerous public and private commissions and has shown in major exhibitions throughout Virginia and Maryland. Richard volunteers regularly throughout the area, spreading his love and knowledge of art throughout the community.

Contact the Artist - Facebook: www.facebook.com/Richard-Press-Online-Gallery-824191651272053

My name is Keith Taylor, also known as, Art by Benji. I'm a self-taught visual artist from Portsmouth, VA. who just recently started painting professionally over the past year. Aside from my paintings, I also have a clothing line called " BENJI " an acronym of Being Enlightened No Jealousy Involved.

My main goals are to attract more artistry to the Hampton Roads area and to continue to build with my community. I inspire to heal and help others through my artistic expression.

Website: www.artbybenji.com - Instagram: @artby_benji - Facebook: ArtbyBenji

Kyler Oteal Davis (b. 1991 in Leesville, Louisiana) is a photographer/digital artist that works a lot in digital collage/composite work. He received his BFA in print/pho- to media from Old Dominion University in 2010, and currently lives and works out of Norfolk, Va. His work is a blend of photography and digital abstraction carried out in a way reminiscent of the works of abstract expressionists. He is interested in using the visible spectrum as a metaphor for the light/ darkness that resides in the individual. The idea of deconstruction/reconstruction of imagery into new compositions is a reoccurring theme in his work. Challenging the viewer to ask themselves, “what is a photo” and subsequently “what can a photo become?”

Website- www.otealdavis.com • Instagram- @Theabstractdavis and @Otealdavis

Takira Walker is an emerging artist chosen by the VAAC Board to exhibit. We are honored to have Takira display in “We Still Here”.

Tamika Bright is a mixed media artist and muralist from northern Virginia. In 2010, she moved to the Hampton Roads area to become a pre-med student at Old Dominion University. For many years, she lived in fear and uncertainty, simply following what others thought she should do. Her home environment had been very negative and restrictive. After endless exploration, she changed her focus to human services and studio art.

Learning more about human development and the physical make-up of the brain sparked something within her. Being known as a shy, timid girl, art allowed her to be who she truly was. Through art she became exceptionally odd, bold, and outrageous. She became aware of the power she had to truly express who she was and accept herself. She also discovered that art has the power to rebuild neurons within the brain. Tamika translated her negative experiences into beauty! Combining her passion for art and her new mental health discoveries, she developed EVOKENations, an art education brand.

EVOKENations is a brand that focuses on providing and producing art that invites new ways of thinking and encourages self-discovery and expression while highlighting the importance of mental health. Art can bring purpose to the lives of others just as it did for Tamika Bright. The goal of the brand is to positively impact the world by increasing interpersonal skills and self-awareness.

To discover more about her art please visit https://evokenations.myportfolio.com/

Leah Guinto is an emerging artist chosen by the VAAC Board to exhibit. We are honored to have Leah display in “We Still Here”.

Sharon Grotevant spent many years engaged in marketing, advertising, and community service in her home city of New York. She developed a passion for fine art and art history in college and throughout her life has visited galleries and museums around the world. More recently, she has had the opportunity to pursue art in various media (with a special focus on oils) full time. She also enjoys working with textiles and makes decorative papers. Most recently Sharon has studied with various mentors in still life painting and collage. She has studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design in New York City. She has attended various workshops in the US and in Honfleur, France. Workshops attended have also included Chinese style watercolor painting. Art history remains a major passion. Sharon resides in New York with her husband, Mark, and son Evan.