Donelle Wedderburn is a writer, designer, and arts educator. Her work sits at the intersection of Black history, oral storytelling, and landscape architecture. She has contributed to developing and producing a range of broadcasts and audio documentaries for NPR, Food Culture Collective, and The Heal Food Alliance. In her free time, she loves to write poetry and draw connections between literature and landscape. Black women writers like Toni Morrison and June Jordan moved through the worlds of narrative, urban planning, and architecture, showing me it was possible to do the same.

Massiel Alfonso is a Dominican author, award-winning poet, and multidisciplinary artist, who believes stories are medicine. Her debut, Handful of Poems, dives deep into human emotions with honesty and simplicity, earning First Place at the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards and Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards. Through poetry, performance, and community workshops, Massiel creates art that challenges societal norms and makes space for conversations about beauty, identity, and change.

Sunaé Long (b. 1996) is a multidisciplinary African-American expressionist artist from New Brunswick, NJ. A Kean University alum and founder of SUNGOD, she creates paintings, murals, digital art, and clothing rooted in healing and storytelling. Inspired by childhood craft parties with her great-grandmother, she now leads Craft & Convos, a community-based art series. Her work has been showcased in London, NJ, and NYC– blending creativity, culture, and connection through vibrant, meaningful expression.

Craig Bradley is a social impact entrepreneur, poet, and community leader dedicated to transforming underserved communities through art, education, and sustainable business ventures. With a robust background in real estate and nonprofit work, Craig’s mission is to uplift individuals by creating opportunities for growth and change. He leads initiatives such as the “Free for the People” community arts program and “The Residency” an artist talent showcase located in Newark Nj which is being hosted monthly. Craig’s vision combines creativity and entrepreneurship, fostering equitable communities where everyone can thrive.

Philadelphia-born artist Cherie Lee (b. 1968) is internationally recognized for her mastery of intricately carved, genuine ostrich eggshells. Utilizing high-speed rotary equipment, she applies Renaissance tenets of sculpture and low-relief techniques to craft works that impart both narrative and literal depth on their delicate 1/16-inch-thick surfaces. This choice of material highlights her enduring fascination with themes of vulnerability and resilience.

Jonathan Yubi (b. 1993, Bronx, NY) is a first-generation Ecuadorian-American artist. His paintings draw inspiration from literature, weaving laborers into historical landscapes. He focuses on laborers—exploring themes of identity, work, and social struggle. His current series, Work i(s/n) Progress, examines labor as a central theme in American and Pan-American history. Yubi earned his BFA from Lehman College CUNY and previously studied at Memphis College of Art and the University of Central Florida. His work has been shown at the Montclair Art Museum, Anna Zorina Gallery, 17 Frost Gallery, and CityArts Factory, among others.

Isis Kenney is a visionary CEO and artist known for pioneering the genre of Hip Hop Fine Art (HHFA), blending hip hop culture with fine art aesthetics. With expertise in collage, digital art, and textiles, her work highlights African-American history and social justice themes. Kenney’s art has been featured in prominent exhibitions and public collections, earning acclaim for its cultural relevance. She also leads educational outreach programs, inspiring youth through art and advocacy for hip hop culture.

Maria is a painter dedicated to shining a spotlight on the often overlooked and under-appreciated aspects of people. Drawing
inspiration from everyday people and community life, Maria’s artwork celebrates the unique qualities in the human body. She skillfully captures the essence of her subjects, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the beauty and resilience found in the ordinary. Maria’s paintings serve as portals into the rich inner worlds of her subjects, encouraging viewers to bring their own interpretations and emotions to complete her evocative compositions.

Jonathan is a mixed media artist and muralist, and the founder of OurNaturalState, a creative brand dedicated to helping people reconnect with their emotions and bodies through art. My work centers around using playful, colorful characters that represent a range of emotions. These characters have been a tool for me to express my feelings freely and rediscover my true, authentic self through the process of art.

OurNaturalState is built on the belief that art is a powerful medium for personal growth, emotional release, and healing. Through live mural events, community-based art experiences, and workshops, I create environments where people feel supported in exploring their emotional landscapes.

My goal is to help individuals use creativity as a form of self-expression and personal discovery. By blending emotional depth with artistic playfulness, OurNaturalState invites people to experience art in a way that allows them to feel everything fully. I’m excited for a future filled with creativity, love, and authenticity.

Nearly two decades ago, I relocated to the United States, bringing with me a profound appreciation for this ancient craft. In my new environment, I began to create unique, wearable art pieces that merge the time-honored traditions of Anatolian lacework with contemporary design elements. Each piece is crafted with the same dedication and precision that has been a hallmark of this art form for centuries, yet is infused with a modern sensibility that makes it relevant today.

My artistic journey has been enriched by formal training at design and technical schools, where I further honed my skills and expanded my creative horizons. This blend of traditional techniques and modern education has allowed me to develop a distinctive style that honors the past while embracing the future.

The resulting collection is a celebration of cultural fusion, where each piece tells a story of heritage and innovation. My work not only preserves the intricate beauty of Anatolian lacework but also reimagines it for a contemporary audience. Through my art, I aim to keep this beautiful tradition alive, sharing its elegance and intricacy with a wider audience and inspiring a new appreciation for this ancient craft.

I am a multi-disciplinary visual teaching artist with a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating Anatolian culture and traditions through my art. My work is heavily influenced by the rich heritage of handcrafted lacework, a technique that has been meticulously handed down through generations for centuries.

Nearly two decades ago, I relocated to the United States, bringing with me a profound appreciation for this ancient craft. In my new environment, I began to create unique, wearable art pieces that merge the time-honored traditions of Anatolian lacework with contemporary design elements. Each piece is crafted with the same dedication and precision that has been a hallmark of this art form for centuries, yet is infused with a modern sensibility that makes it relevant today.

My artistic journey has been enriched by formal training at design and technical schools, where I further honed my skills and expanded my creative horizons. This blend of traditional techniques and modern education has allowed me to develop a distinctive style that honors the past while embracing the future.

The resulting collection is a celebration of cultural fusion, where each piece tells a story of heritage and innovation. My work not only preserves the intricate beauty of Anatolian lacework but also reimagines it for a contemporary audience. Through my art, I aim to keep this beautiful tradition alive, sharing its elegance and intricacy with a wider audience and inspiring a new appreciation for this ancient craft.