empowering expression
We help underrepresented Black artists expand their audiences, grow their careers, and seize new opportunities to change the narrative of Black art for this generation and beyond.
2023 Mid-Year Review
To do this, there are four primary ways we strive for impact:
Black artist professional development through mentorship, education, and promotion
Operate Mulberry Art Gallery for BIPOC artists
Grow the pipeline of Black youth artists through Meet the Challenge program
Advocacy for Black artists, art issues, and opportunities
In 2023 we have made significant progress – serving as a collaborative hub for innovative creative exploring that will change the narrative and amplify the voices of Black artists in our community.
BLACK ARTIST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mulberry Arts supports a stable of five artists through mentorship, education, and promotion. Through our efforts, our stable artists regularly show work at Mulberry Art Gallery, have expanded to shows throughout Kansas, and we are increasing exposure opportunities across the nation.
Brittany Stewart
- Exhibiting artist for “Gaze: Power and Politics” at Mark Arts April 13-May 24, resulting in multiple acquisitions and sales
- Currently experimenting and testing new painting styles and techniques
- Next show at Mulberry Art Gallery is November
- Featured artist for This is Her event, hosted by The Thread an award-winning, social entrepreneurship-focused small business
Kamela Eaton
- Recently created ten new pieces for her exhibition in August at Mulberry Art Gallery
- Received invitation to Salina Salon 50 (50 artists are hand-selected from the region and invited to exhibit)
- Has participated in an exhibition at Mark Arts this year and shown multiple times at Mulberry Art Gallery
Dominique Joiner
- Two pieces collected and purchased by Fidelity Bank
- Featured artist for Lil’Library for Storytime Village
- Mentor for Meet the Challenge program, including leadership for Juneteenth Fashion Show and mural at Murdock Park
Sheldon Draper
- Five recent acquisitions, powered by increased exposure
- Winner of Versus: A Live Art Battle at Mark Arts featuring 12 artists, earning the prize of having a joint art exhibition at Mark Arts in 2024
- Featured in two shows at R Coffee House and WAVE, currently has work up at Mulberry Art Gallery
- Next exhibition will be at Mulberry Art Gallery on First Friday, September 1
Terri Meredith
- Currently exhibiting in Jacksonville, FL and has featured pieces at Mulberry Art Gallery
- Experimenting and expanding art processes by learning sculpting
- Next exhibition will be at Mulberry Art Gallery in early 2024
Gallery Updates
To serve our stable of artists and provide a safe place to show inspiring works, Mulberry Arts operates Mulberry Art Gallery in Revolutsia. Our stable of artists regularly display their works and we exhibit feature artists throughout the year.
In 2023, we have curated 3 shows, which have represented 13 artists. Our gallery is open 12 – 6PM Tuesday through Saturday. Pieces for sale are regularly updated on www.mulberrygallery.com
Upcoming shows include:
- August – Kamela Eaton
- September – Sheldon Draper
- October – Heather Byers
- November – Brittany Stewart
Our Satellite Galleries intentionally create new opportunities for the community to view and purchase art from Black artists beyond our flagship location at Mulberry Art Gallery.
In the first half of 2023, we have served three locations as Satellite Galleries, resulting in increased visibility and awareness of Black artists work, and sales of artworks. To-date this year WAVE, Jenny Dawn Cellars, and R Coffee House participated in the program. In the next few months, an additional two locations will be added to the lineup.
Overall, there have been 17 satellite showings featuring 10 different artists in addition to artists who have shown at Mulberry Art Gallery.
MEET THE CHALLENGE YOUTH ART PROGRAM
To grow our community’s pipeline of young Black artists and expose youth to entrepreneurship and careers in art, Mulberry Arts implements the Meet the Challenge program. Since January we have supported and empowered nine under-resourced youth by providing one-to-one mentoring with professional artists to develop, present, and sell artwork in a chosen artistic discipline. In addition, we’ve cultivated community opportunities where youth can showcase their art.
Community Events and Programming
Juneteenth Fashion Show
Sponsored by Meritrust, our annual fashion show featured four professional fashion designers and four Meet the Challenge youth participants. Over 60 people attended the event and many participated in our community art experience curated by Dominique Joiner and Brittany Stewart.
Murdock Park Mural
To brighten up an underutilized park and instate color into a unintering building, five Meet the Challenge mentees designed and painted a mural on a facility in the park. This mural was sponsored by the City of Wichita Parks & Recreation Department.
YOUTH ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
Additional participants include Monika Jones working in painting, Clayton Hicks focused on music and DJ’ing, Izary Rodriguez, and Aja and Xavian Joiner.
Que’Dence Winfrey-Reed
- Completed art exhibition as high school class project navigated by mentorship of Dominique Joiner
- Her exhibition sold out in two hours, resulting in the sale of nine pieces of artwork
- Will be attending Emporia State with a focus on art therapy
Brooklyn Hicks
- High-school student working on growing her studio art portfolio, currently working on developing new pieces that will be shown in Mulberry Gallery
- In 2023 has participated in design and creation of multiple murals
- Won People’s Choice Award at 2023 Congressional Art Competition
Kyndal Hicks
- Area of concentration is photography
- Has been featured photographer at Mulberry Arts events
Destiny Clark
- Focused on fashion design during first Meet the Challenge program engagement
- Participated in Juneteenth Fashion Show
- Due to positive experience, will be participating in program again with emphasis in illustration
Mulberry Art Gallery is grateful for the generosity of its supporters.
Contact us for sponsorship and community partnerships.
