I Was Saved by William H. Clarke

William H. Clarke

Born in Nottoway County, Virginia, William H. Clarke is a noted Folk artist whose works narrate his rural African American heritage. He paints poignant and joyful scenes of tobacco farming, old country stores, riverside baptisms, funerals and daily life, and his honest depictions have earned him a strong national following. You can find Clarke’s work in numerous private and museum collections throughout the United States.

Hard Working Woman by Jose Lorenzo

José Lorenzo

At the age of seventeen, artist Jose Lorenzo fled the oppression of his native homeland Cuba, swam to the U.S., and was eventually granted U.S. citizenship as an asylum seeker. He brought with him vivid memories of his Caribbean homeland, which is reflected in his art. He paints bold, colorful exotic images, along with symbolic folkloric themes that depict everyday Cuban life. Lorenzo’s work illustrates his fascination with the relationship between nature and the spherical systems of our universe.

Born Deaf by Ham?

Hamilton “Ham?” Glass

Hamilton Glass is a prolific Street artist better know by his pseudonym “Ham?” Originally from Philadelphia, he has always had a passion for art, though after graduating from Hampton University he went on to work in several architecture design firms. It was only with his journey to Richmond that allowed him to explore and share his interest in Street Art. Glass synthesizes memories of the vibe and grit of the city streets in his hometown with his formal architectural training to create his unique, graffiti style art. Expressing his personal ideologies through the use of unpredictable raw mediums, bold colors and striking images, his art ranges from small works on canvas to dynamic indoor and outdoor murals, and the work adorns the walls of numerous buildings and galleries throughout the east coast.

Photo of a cathedral in El Salvador by Jamil Smith

Jamil Smith

Emerging photographer Jamil Smith is a native of Richmond, Virginia, who currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. Formerly a financial analyst, Smith searched for a new way to express himself after deciding to end his career in investment banking. He began documenting his overseas travels with a camera and soon realized he took more than just snapshots, but rather created vivid memoirs of his travels. At that point, Smith became passionate about learning photography. He began experimenting with both digital and 35mm cameras and an array of subject matters, which resulted in a photographic style that redefined beauty and grace. He uses the camera to capture the rhythm and color of nature, the essence of people and quiet moments on a city street.

Many Lives Were Affected by Sukenya Best

Sukenya Best

New Yorker Sukenya Best currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, and has a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Tennessee. As a performance artist she is best known for her rhythmic flag making, where her creative process is propelled by music, dance, shapes, color and ink. She allows these elements to take her on a journey of human rhythm, connecting her to dancers and musicians. The result is a fluid, collaborative work of art that captures the movement of dancers and the pulse in the music. Best’s performances have fascinated viewers in numerous exhibitions including: Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Kansas City Art Institute, Corcoran School of Arts, and the Cultural Art Center at Glen Allen (Virginia).

"Hatriotism" by Keith Ramsey

Keith Ramsey

Keith M. Ramsey grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia. The son of an artist, he developed an early affinity for the works of Edward Hopper. Since receiving his Degree in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1998, he has been working steadily toward his artistic vision of images on canvas, wood panel and paper. He is know for creating politically-charged works of art such as his noted series “Diluted Loss”, dedicated to mistreatment and successes of black soldiers during WWII. His images are created from influences of experience, introspective thought and political perspective. By using shadow, light, and color, the artwork attempts to draw the viewer to envision themselves within the paintings before them.