Stories from Our Community: The Art of Protest

Artist Interviews

Community Interviews

Dr. Jarrod Nicholas Dortch is a Professor of Communication at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also serves as the owner and operator of Solful Gardens, a local urban agriculture startup specializing in bringing Fresh.Urban.Natural produce to clients' properties and working with community gardens. @jarroddortch

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The work of Kyng Rhodes is explanatory of his existence as a black person in society. It’s an examination of his thoughts and feelings towards the events that he has experienced or sighted through the media infused with his spirituality. @kyngrhodes

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Rebecca Robinson creates impactful artwork, specifically with concrete and tar. Her strategic use of texture and contrast communicates subjects and themes that continue to evoke emotion and spark dialogue, while enriching the community and contributing to the culture. @psnob

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Amiah Mims is a freelance graphic designer and a retired collegiate-level Metro Athletic Conference champion gymnast. Amiah says her style and medium vary, depending on her mood or the piece’s content. @amiahmimsy

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Pope Samuel Gaskins is an artist and a musician. He credits his creativity to synthesia and growing up on the East Side of Indianapolis. @popegaskine

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Kevin West is a professional artist, art instructor, and art entrepreneur. He specializes in contemporary abstract paintings and portrait art. His larger-than-life art is filled with colorful lines of emotion that dance across the canvas. @artbykwest

John Moore works in oil and acrylic painting, photography, printmaking, and works on paper. His specialty is still life photography and still life painting. John also writes code, creates content marketing strategies, and develops curriculum. @john.g.moore.jr

Gary Gee is a painter and sculptor, creating works on canvas and ceramics. He often uses nontraditional substances and a mix of different media. His work references urban street art, art history, and hip-hop culture. @originalgarygee

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Deonna Craig was born and raised in Indianapolis. She is a full-time visual artist and the owner of DC's heARTbeat. Through her company, she is able to pursue her passion of teaching, community building, public speaking, and mentoring. She is a 2021–22 Visiting Artist at The Children’s Museum. @deonna_heartbeat

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Rae Parker is an educator, visual artist, and community art activist. They have been actively published and their work has been shown in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, as well as in Indy. @raeparkerart

With a background in graphic design, Ess McKee merges the world of analog and digital to create works that are both grunge and cosmetic. @essmckee

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Hailing from Indianapolis, Courtney "Wavy" Blayne is a mid-career artist focused on mixed media and music production. His love for the arts is simply the thing that drives his passion. Pulling influence from Japanese culture and street art, he creates a unique Afrofuturism style that he calls "Wavy." @wavyblayne

Harriet Watson is an Indiana native who loves to express herself through different artistic mediums, including acrylic painting and textile design. Her artistic goal is to be able to create art in hopes of connecting with others and sparking a meaningful conversation. @harrietwatson.art

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FITZ has been drawing for as long as he can remember. He works primarily with markers and acrylic and strives to be the best artist he can be. @artbyfitz

Israel Solomon is a visual artist and educator who works primarily within the city of Indianapolis. Israel enjoys using bright colors and geometric shapes within his compositions to create his energetic paintings. Israel was a 2020–2021 Visiting Artist at The Children’s Museum. @israelsoloart

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Shamira Wilson creates minimal abstract art that explores the repeat patterns of textiles. Her work alludes to the storytelling qualities found in narrative textiles and objects across the African Diaspora. @shamirawilson

Ashley Nora is a full-time, self-taught visual artist and mom of two. Her art captures moments of human interaction through portraiture, using multiple mediums to express different ideas. @ashleynora_art

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Also known as Finger Creations, Kenneth Hordge has been creating impressive and expressive portraits for the past decade. @fingercreations