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AOTR CONTRIBUTORS
FLEA MARKET GALLERY
CURATORS
DEMETRIUS BUTLER & REGINALD ALLEN
SPONSOR
HUMANITY UNITED
SPONSOR
OFFICE OF CABLE TELEVISION, FILM, MUSIC
AND ENTERTAINMENT
OUR FEATURED ARTISTS
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BLU MURPHY
Brandy “Blu” Murphy is artist, educator, creator born and raised in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Morgan State University, an HBCU where she studied Fine Arts with a focus on mixed media and was an award-winning student. She has over a decade of teaching experience in low income urban communities and is committed to amplifying the voices of a genre of people that are often undervalued, unappreciated and unseen. “I see art everywhere I go, most importantly in my community. Everyone is a work of art”, she has said. “The goal is to create art that shows the beauty and value of people”. She is best known for capturing the innocence of her students through photography and utilizing graffiti, texture and color to share a story rooted in African American culture and history.Her artwork has been featured in the Murphy Fine Art Center at Morgan State University, Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center and the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, MD.
MALIK RADFORD
Illustrator, animator, painter and superhero, Malik Radford, invites you into his loony world of exploration, story-telling, societal critique and reflection. Igniting his creative flame since childhood, Radford has spent over 15 years honing his artistic gifts. In 2019 with a focus in animation, painting, illustration and sound design, Radford earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts dual-degree from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts, months later pursuing his interest in youth mentorship and creative influence by landing a position within DC’s Public Charter School System as a graphic design teacher and media specialist. Radford now works as a full-time freelance illustrator and designer, while painting and making music to balance out the creative workload.
JAY SIMMS
Multi-talented Creative with a combined 9+ years of experience in Digital Media, Music Production, and Visual Art. Well-versed in the creation of a wide range of media content including photography, journalism, short films, documentaries, music videos, music production, and mixed media paintings. Jay Simms (a.k.a Divine Minde) is a passionate teaching artist having spent 6+ years educating and mentoring DC area youth through various organizations and community efforts.
ALLANTRA LEWIS
RACHEL & REBECCA CROUCH
ERIK HOLDEN
A Washington, DC native, Erik “Rikasso” Holden began his career as a self-taught artist in 2012. Since that time, his eclectic mix of painted subjects have evolved along with his artistic process, combining a range of styles and historical references from the distant and recent past. He finds inspiration in the work of artists like Kehinde Wily, Damien Hirst, Walt Disney, and Pablo Picasso. Erik has been honored to work on murals, exhibitions, and other projects with the DC government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Sotheby’s, George Washington University, Chris Pyrate, Kitchen Cray, Broccoli City, and many non-profit organizations and galleries in the DC metro area, as well as in Miami and New York. He has had the pleasure of live painting at concerts like Trillectro and provided creative design for events hosted by venues like Big Chief; located in Ivy City, Washington, DC.
Allantra Lewis is a Washington, DC native now residing in North Carolina. Writing her first poem at 5, literary art is where she finds her rhythm. After attending Duke Ellington school of Arts, she realized that play-writing was a passion of hers and would later attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she would obtain her English and Theater degree. Allantra is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Social Work. Allantra's main goal in life is to always "find a seed in community, love it and grow to it." Allantra is also a self-published writer. Her first collection of poetry “With the Heavy Butta” is now available for purchase. Allantra is a dedicated literary artist who shares a message of self-awareness, perseverance, community, and independent spirituality.
These Chicago natives were born of the seasoned and inspiring brush stroke of artist and mother, Dianne Crouch. As children, they were immediately immersed into the world of art and had no choice but to develop that natural born aptitude. They both produce work in varied media using color, texture, movement, and flow. Their pieces are about the impossible and the discovery of promise.
Music, life, limits, and change are just a few themes prevalent in Rachel's work. The origin of Rebecca’s artistic premise stem from heartache, forgiveness, and new beginnings. Their poignant pieces are not only beautifully intoxicating stories, but also timeless works of art. Indulge in the art of Rachel and Rebecca Crouch, where they tell their stories, one painting at a time.
CHRYSTAL SEAWOOD
MOMOLU STEWART
MYNIAH SWEETNEY
Chrystal Seawood is a mostly self-taught artist from rural Arkansas. An educator & multidisciplinary artist, Seawood uses a combination of academic & artistic approaches to probe our social schemas, as they relate to notions of race and gender. She lives and works in the DMV.
Momolu S.K. Stewart is an artist from Washington DC. He uses his talents to educate people about culture, imprisonment, and restorative justice. When Momolu was sixteen years young he was sentenced to two life sentences plus seventy five years for crimes he committed as a misguided youth, in Washington DC. On October 7, 2019, he was able to gain his freedom through a recent law called (IRAA) Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act. His story reached the headlines when reality star Kim Kardashian- West wrote a letter to judge Robert Salerno in support of his release. His story can be viewed on the Kim Kardashian- West’s documentary “The Justice Project”. Since his release, Momolu S.K. Stewart has worked as a Program Assistant, and community navigator for Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative. His life’s passion is paying it forward for the blessings he has received. He reciprocates via art, spoken word, song, activism and speech. It is a pleasure to present to you: Momolu S.K. Stewart.
Message from the artist:
"Hello everyone, First a big thankyou! Art really was just a natural, God-given talent. I had seen my mother, I had seen the colors and from there that was that. I dont remember the first day I picked up a pencil but I know from the first day I did, that was what I wanted to do. I remember my eigth grade year at Hart Middle School, we had a talent show. My performance was for me to sit on the front of the stage and draw a picture sitting at a desk. During someone else"s performance to see what time I had finished and the performance was just a 3-4 minute song. That's when I first knew that that's what i had a passion for. That's when I knew they would catch on, they'd see it. I knew I was destined to be one of the greats."
COLUMBUS WYNN III
NIKEESHA SWEETNEY
JOHNATHAN MIDDLEBROOK
Message from the artist :
" I came into the world September 12 ,1974, raised on the greater side of Southeast. I attended Ballou Senior Highschool and grew up on Wheeler Road, a Southeast native to the T. I've always had interest in the Arts, starting dance at the age of four and by the time I was twelve, visual art has been my passion. Its something I share with my children Brittiney, Myniah, Bernard and my grandbabies Brooklyn and Mauzie.
... Purple is my favorite color to work with."
Prince George’s County, MD native, Jonathan Middlebrooks, stage name JMB Music, is a saxophonist, songwriter, and singer. He attended Morehouse College where he was in the marching band and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. During his time in Atlanta he was afforded the opportunity to perform as an opening act for Grammy Award-Winning artist Chrisette Michelle, and Grammy Nominated Elle Varner. His most recent Eps “Late To The Party” & “The Summer’s Ours” showcased his versatility as a writer, his ear for music and song structure. Since then, he has been continuing to put out music but diving further into writing for upcoming indie artist. Since the pandemic, he has also performing more with the saxophone at weddings, birthdays, cookouts, and private dinners. His current focus is on continuing to expand the space he holds in the realm of music
Columbus Wynn III is a native Washingtonian with a lifelong love of music. He first picked up his trumpet when he joined the band at Shaw Jr. High School in Northwest DC under the direction of Mr. Hoover. He witnessed Mr. Hoover's passion for music and teaching, and it inspired him to do the same.
He excelled and was selected to attend Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts High School for music. After graduating from Duke Ellington, he attended Howard University and majored in Music Education.
Music has taken Columbus across the globe including London, Japan, France, and all over the United States. In addition, he never strayed from his roots and played for several local bands including Black Alley, Wale/UCB, Lissen, Suttle Thoughts, and currently Let It Flow.
Along with remaining an active musician, he continues to give back to his community, serving as the Dean of Students at Garrison Elementary School in Northwest DC.
CABINESS BRAXTON
Born in Washington DC, 28yr old Cabiness (Qupid) Braxton’s, talent as an artist showed at the young age of 3 when he began drawing cartoon characters. Qupid’s art seeks to speak to the hearts of the viewers and thus creating a personal connection. He takes his personal life experiences combined with the inspiration and philosophies of those he looks at as GREAT artist and applied it to each and every moment of art he’s shows to the world