Christopher White (signed C. White) is a multimedia creative from Dallas, Texas. Christopher is inspired by the elegance and depth of the black American experience and uses his artwork to showcase the beauty of his people. Chris specializes in portraiture, doing work in graphite, charcoal, and more recently soft pastel. Christopher’s work blends Afro surrealism and expressionism and is in continuous exploration of ways to incorporate complex messages and signals in the foundation of his work.

Essence Richardson is a photographer and artist who captures everyday moments with heart. Rooted in the Black experience, her work explores portraits, the female body, and the spirit of human connection. She loves documenting Chicago and the people who make it vibrant, turning ordinary scenes into stories of culture, intimacy, and community.

Jeshurun is an artist from Chicago’s South Side. His style is Afrocentric with elements of divinity and the cosmos. Working in a semi‑realistic approach, he blends art nouveau, anime, and graffiti influences into his pieces.

Julian “JUJU” Guyton is a fractalist artist from Chicago and founder of [MNGO.S]. Known for bold colors and text, his work has been showcased across the US in Art Battle competitions. Through his style, Fractureism, JUJU breaks and bends the rules, sparking curiosity and emotion while revealing overlooked truths.

Kareem is an artist and aspiring architect focused on gaining experiences that will prepare him for a future in the architectural field. His work explores a personal balance between novelty and necessity, often featuring impressionistic elements, thoughtful composition, and expressive use of color. Passionate about painting, Kareem continues to strengthen his artistic voice through art battles and showcase events.

Kyla is a Toronto-based, New Orleans bred full-time artist with a passion for utilizing her ADHD and Mental health to intuitively guide her paintbrush. Her process is playful, colorful, and maximalist, so every viewer will see something different, depending on their perspective. With a background in both realism and abstraction, her work embodies hyper detailed psychedelic abstractions with a cubist touch (mostly facial organs) that represent emotional states and the energy of the room.

Alexis (aka MADDNESS) is a self‑taught, multi‑medium artist from Chicago. She focuses on painting and digital illustration/graphic design, blending pop surrealism, Afrofuturism, and anime/cartoon influences. Creating has always been part of her life, and she shares her work to connect, inspire, and keep art at the center of her world.

Nicole Zimmer is an amateur Midwest artist who uses her art to portray her viewpoint of life and nature. Her influence includes Degas, Matisse, and Picasso. Her medium of choice is acrylic paint, but she also explores chalk, pencils (colored and graphite), and other mixed media. In more recent years, Nicole decided to restart her hobby of art by participating in local public art projects and art competitions around the state of Wisconsin. Nicole has a BA in Graphic Design and resides in Appleton with her husband Jeff, and son Anakin.

Osei is a Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist who uses murals, paintings, and design to tell stories of culture, community, and resilience. His work blends bold color, symbolism, and portraiture to honor history and identity while inspiring future generations. As both artist and coach, he brings intensity, creativity, and a drive to uplift others into every project.

Sara is a graphic designer with 10+ years of experience and an artist who paints on canvas, walls, and more. Passionate about the beauty of art and design, she brings creativity to every surface she works on.

Taka is an Okinawan‑American painter known for eclectic style and calligraphic lines. Raised in Okinawa, her work combines culture, abstract expressionism, and natural beauty. Each painting reflects her perspective and understanding of the world.

Tatiana is a mixed media artist and Studio Art major at NEIU with a focus in painting. Her work explores themes of mental health, including depression and anxiety, while also spanning different subjects, styles, and mediums. She takes commissions, designs murals reflecting social cultures, and is driven by a fascination with the human experience and the healing power of art.