Black Artists Exhibition
Our incredible exhibition features the work of Black artists.
About
Curated by a panel of art jurists, the exhibition features work by more than 20 South Sound artists. With media including painting, drawing, photography and glass art, some of the exhibition’s works provide windows into personal history and collective culture. Other pieces are non-representational.
Taken as a whole, the exhibition challenges us to take an expansive view of Black art as an abundance of unique expressions drawn from the deep well of vibrant community.
Pictured works (featured image) left to right: The Genes by Lorra Jackson, Black girl fly by Jonarra Swanson, Mama Kulutu by Edimbo Lekea, Conviction by Charles Conner, I love you I love you too by Sandra Bocas. Pictured works (mobile featured image) left to right: SUAVE by TyResha Jones-Smith, 4 Hundred Years by Sariyah Ward, Notes of a Native Son by Rene Westbrook.
Visit the Exhibition
The exhibition will run from Feb. 11 - March 13, 2026. Admission is free to the public.
LOCATION:
The Gallery is located in Bldg. 4 at Tacoma Community College, near the corner of 12th and Mildred streets. Visitor Parking is available in Lot G.
HOURS:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 10am-4pm
Third Thursday of each month: 10am-8pm
Friday: 10am-3pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Meet the Artists
Find out more about our selection of featured artists and their mediums.
Brittany Hopkins
I’ve always been passionate about sharing my creativity and perspective with the world. Through my art, I strive to connect with others who appreciate fresh and imaginative approaches to digital art, line art, and mixed media. My work often explores emotion and movement through color and form, reflecting my belief that art is a universal language. While I enjoy experimenting across styles, I identify most as a Digital Impressionist, focusing on expressive digital compositions that capture feeling and atmosphere. Though my platform is still growing, I approach every opportunity with professionalism, curiosity, and the poise of a seasoned artist. When I’m not creating, I love exploring other artists’ work, reading novels, and painting — all of which inspire my digital process. If you’d like to learn more about my work or collaborations, please don't hesitate to reach out to connect with me on social media.
Charity Israel
My name is Charity! I’m currently in my first year of college, and I’ve been sewing since I was eleven years old. Over the past few years I have been experimenting with different art and fashion medias. I’m working on more designs to add to my portfolio and desire to complete my education at a renowned fashion institute in NYC.
charles connerCharles Conner aka The Original Spur has been an artist since the age of four. He first learned to draw Ninja Turtles from his siblings and was hooked ever since. Joining the military at the age of 17 to help provide funds in a small town that offered little in the way of employment, he would eventually be called into active duty forcing him to drop out of college for a tour in Iraq. When his time in the army ended, he spent years battling with bouts of PTSD. He now uses his creativity and imagination to create one of a kind abstract pieces filled with vibrant colors and a semi realistic interpretation from a black man's perspective. Creativity, Positivity, and Individuality. Welcome to the journey of The Original Spur!
Colleen BLACKAs a Black sculptor‑painter, I channel soul‑driven realism to reveal spiritual inner strength and the unseen complexity of the human form. Self‑taught in sculpture, my work invites emotional breakthroughs through meticulous form and light. My art has been represented in galleries across the United States and internationally, and carried aboard global cruise lines. I studied painting in Florence, Italy at The Florence School of Art and credit my mentor Jack Richard, a distinguished portrait and landscape artist in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I have exhibited in Belgium, Germany and Japan. Commissions include a limited‑edition bronze sculpture and oil painting created for General Colin Powell and seven Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. As the author of Behind the Black, my book serves as an artistic memoir spanning darkness and light. I continue creating and writing under the guiding influence of my Black identity, determined to uplift communities through spiritual illumination and power.
Crystal McDonald
Dr. Crystal McDonald, Ph.D., LPC, is a Chicago-based artist and Industrial Organizational Psychologist whose interdisciplinary practice explores how identity, emotion, and creativity are shaped by color, space, and inherited narratives. Her dissertation, The Influence of Colors, Work Environments, Personality, and Preferences on Creativity: A Quantitative Analysis Among BIPOC Employees, examines how personality traits, environmental preferences, and color choices shape creative perception among BIPOC workers. A 2027 Arctic Circle Residency recipient and former Visiting Fellow at UMass Amherst’s Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies, she integrates historical and spiritual themes into portraiture and abstract works. Dr. McDonald has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at Omnibus Gallery (Germany), the NAACP, and as a National Art League finalist since 2019. She serves on Intuit Art Museum’s Finance Committee and supports arts and organizational equity through HuesPalette, the Taproot Foundation, and as Vice Chair of Blacks in I/O.
Dierdre Patterson
Dierdre Patterson is a self-taught abstract artist based in Tacoma, Washington. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Patterson works primarily in painting and sculpture, exploring the interplay of color, form, and emotion through a process guided by instinct and rhythm. Her work aims to translate memory and emotion into visual balance, creating compositions that evoke warmth, calm, and joy. Patterson was named the 2023 Annie Wright Artist Fellow and is a 2025 Neddy Artist Award Finalist. Her work has been featured in Essence Magazine and Abstract Mag and in an artist partnership with Sweetgreen, as well as public art initiatives in the region. Beyond her studio practice, Patterson is the co-founder of CONCEPT, a creative agency dedicated to amplifying Black and Brown artists through exhibitions, strategy, and special projects. Her work continues to expand conversations around abstraction, emotion, and representation.
Dino MurphyDino Murphy AKA DinoByDesign. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, grew up in Kansas City. Out of School I worked in the Art Industry in several positions ranging from Production Artist to Art Director. Between '99 and 2012 took a break away from the creative world. Upon returning back to the Art scene in 2013, I've been carving my niche drawing & painting a variety of subjects. My passions center around Pop culture including sports figures, entertainers, musicians, and vibrant original abstract paintings. I’ve recently developed a strong interest in seascapes and sunsets.
Dionne BonnerDionne Bonner is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice centers on fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection. She transforms public and private spaces into models for unity, emphasizing the interwoven threads of difference that shape our global tapestry. Each piece—whether a painting or mural—is a journey. Using layered washes, textured contrasts, and vibrant color, Dionne brings depth and luminosity to her work. Her process is grounded in research and community engagement, blending diverse perspectives and lived experiences to guide each project. This inclusive approach is a powerful catalyst for connection. Her work has been exhibited across Washington and internationally. A pivotal early commission—a portrait series honoring Washington State's first African American pioneers—sparked a collaborative path that continues today. Dionne has contributed to public art, exhibitions, and grassroots projects with local organizations, while also managing artist cooperatives and leading tactical street art. Each experience adds new layers to her evolving practice.
Edimbo Lekea
Edimbo Lekea is a "Franco-Congolais" artist painter from Creil, France. Around the ages of 5 to 6, Edimbo got to develop his creative skill through various sketches0. After moving to Kent, WA in 2003, Edimbo was exposed to so many different cultures.Within the African diaspora, there was a saying that Black folks didn't know there history enough or at all. Being so fascinated with different sound in black music, Edimbo decided to unearth the mystic of Black History, and merge it into the his Paintings. In 2015, Edimbo started The NDI movement (Natty Dread Illustration) for one purpose, to create a visual sanctuar African diaspora. Edimbo is the founder of The KABULA ART EXHIBITION, a yearly event that celebrates congolese artists and their work (Next one is June 2026). He is also the Award recipient of the 2024 Black ARTISTS Exhibition at Tacoma Community College.
Emily MartinEmily Martin is a multicultural glass artist. Emily was born and raised in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington. Serendipitously, living in the Hilltop afforded Emily the privilege of exposure to glass at the young age of eleven. Emily spent her youth learning how to create glass art with the Hilltop Artist Program. Hilltop Artist is a local organization. Co-founded by Dale Chihuly, dedicated to enriching the lives of the youth through glass art. Since then, Emily has worked in varying capacities at the Museum of Glass with the education department, Hot shop Heroes, and Science of Art program. Emily finds joy in impacting others' lives through glass art.
Jadyn Johnson
Art is about self expression as well as connection. By being our authentic selves and displaying that for others we are creating a safe space where people can truly feel they are seen. As a woman of color I seek to expand the narrative of what it is to be black to surpass suffering and be represented through joy. Art allows me to explore the themes that are present in my life; whether that be grief, transitions, joy, or even rage. Creation allows me to connect with my subconscious and is a very spiritual act in my mind. On a technical sense I also love exploring color and dimension, an element of exploration is also key in my work.
James ButlerJames Butler is a visionary abstract artist whose work transcends aesthetics—it’s a therapeutic journey. Rooted in Afrocentric symbolism and emotional depth, his art serves as both personal healing and communal medicine. Each stroke, shape, and hue is a reflection of lived experience, ancestral memory, and the transformative power of creativity. Through vibrant compositions and layered textures, Butler invites viewers into a space where vulnerability meets strength, and chaos finds rhythm. His pieces are not just seen—they’re felt. They speak to those navigating trauma, seeking clarity, or simply yearning for connection. From Tacoma Native via Philadelphia.
Jonarra Swanson
Based in Seattle, Washington, contemporary artist Jonarra Swanson uses her creative practice to drive meaningful change, solve problems, and strengthen community bonds. With a passion for human connection, she delves into the intricate balance of self-expression and community connection, seeking to capture the profound essence of humanity. Her compelling work champions the idea that our universal human experience is the bedrock for equality, inviting viewers to perceive the inherent flow of connection among all people. Jonarra's commitment to fostering connection extends beyond her personal art. She regularly teaches art to youth and adults, contributes to city murals, exhibits in group shows, and creates high-quality commissioned pieces. Further demonstrating her dedication to community and empowerment, Jonarra founded MUVA, a unique consignment retail space on the third floor of the Columbia Tower that supports creative mothers by giving them a vital platform to sell their work and expand their entrepreneurial ventures.
JW HarringtonJW Harrington is a painter, social-science professor, and trained baritone, living, painting, and singing in Tacoma, Washington. Using acrylic and oil paints on canvases or panels, he paints abstract works: geometric abstractions, colorful biomorphic abstractions, and a series of abstract paintings that eschew color for monochrome shades. He also paints animated landscapes motivated by the vibrant beauty of the Puget Sound region, and portraits that emphasize the subject’s insights, psychological state, or sense of connection. Harrington was raised in South Carolina, educated at Harvard University and the University of Washington, and has worked on east and west coasts of the U.S. After a 37-year career of teaching, research and administration, he is now Professor Emeritus of Urban Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma. His works hang in corporate and institutional collections in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia.
Neon Dion
Neon Dion is a conceptual artist, creative consultant, and curator whose work spans fashion, design, and contemporary visual art. His practice blends pop culture, art history, and social commentary into bold, idea-driven pieces rooted in curiosity and range. His foundation in clothing and textile design led to pioneering Northwest streetwear projects including Cosmic Swagger and Gallery of Ambition, the first shop to carry Tacoma’s iconic eTc brand. Global travel and study in museums and galleries across Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond continue to expand his perspective and refine his creative language. Today, Neon leads Neon Creative and Design, shaping visual identity and art direction for clients seeking inventive and culturally aware work. As curator of The Broadway Gallery in downtown Tacoma, he champions community and accessible creative space. His background includes public art, exhibitions, curatorial projects, and recognition as a Foundation of Art Award nominee.
Sabreehna EssienNative to Tacoma Washington, I am a Creative and Clinician. I thrive in service unto others, like nature, gazing at water, and the activities of growing up in the Pacific Northwest. I am a mother of two boys 6&7 and honored to coach for Al Davies BGC. My work has been shown throughout the Puget Sound with the City of Tacoma as a first buyer of a piece from my Noire Femme Series Part II called Yes. This piece is on view at the Tacoma People Center on the Hilltop. My current Artist series explores textures and expands on my favorite style mixed media. Since I no longer have a work studio the challenge is real and limits my creative work flow. To adapt, I write and sketch my ideas until such times comes when an Art studio space can be secured for my small business.
Sandra BocasI live and work in Olympia and my color palette is strongly influenced by the Caribbean. My particular statement is to include all colors of peoples in my expression of beauty. The portraits I paint is always in respect of the soul.
Sharvoski Gunn
My name is Kiid_Gunn; I was born in Albany, GA, in 1989. My first experience as an artist was as a child. Although I didn't think much of it, my influence was life. Childhood trauma froze my talent within an iceberg of depression, which began to melt in 2018. I chose to produce color. I believe that being an artist is something that one can be born to do and not always learned at school. Hence, my skills flourished through practical experience, trial and error, & self-correction. I immersed myself in the works of Cinnamon Cooney, Martel Chapman, and Paul Tag; they became my teachers. Through their works I expanded my knowledge of African Mask art, cartoon replication, and abstracts. From my home studio in Tacoma, WA, my work is crafted and created primarily in acrylics and oils.
Tyresha Jones-SmithRaised in the Seattle area, some would say I was born into this world with a paintbrush in my hand as creativity is my heart passion. Over the years, my niche and style as an established artist is always evolving as I love exploring vast ideas, mediums, and techniques in blending two of my creative interests together. Which is art and interior design. In putting them together, I made my signature brand TY DESIGN is my creative brand as specializes in designing and creating luxury abstract Black / African art that gives elegance and aesthetics. Ranging from original paintings, prints to collection series, there is everything and between to choose from to bring your wall and space to life. Enjoy.
Valencia Carroll
Valencia Carroll is a classically trained oil painter whose work blends traditional techniques with contemporary perspectives to explore identity, memory, and the presence of the past in everyday life. Drawing inspiration from historical imagery, her paintings reimagine figures from earlier eras, infusing them with renewed agency, tenderness, and cultural visibility. Her latest work, a seascape depicting a young brown-skinned girl standing at the shoreline in period attire, transforms a black-and-white 19th-century photograph into a vivid, living moment, inviting viewers to consider history through a more expansive and inclusive lens. Based in western Washington, Valencia also works as a teaching artist, creating accessible, community-centered art experiences across museums, schools, and public spaces.