Photography

Rachel Meiser is an apparel, costume, and graphic designer based in Indianapolis. She first learned sewing and handcrafts from her grandmother, then honed her skills by earning a BA in Fashion Design from Kent State University in 2011. After college, Rachel chose to return to her hometown and build a business in the city that built her–surrounded by her amazing, multicultural family.

Rachel is gifted with an eye for design and a brain built for business. Her business RRD goes beyond your typical alterations service. With her background in everything from customer service to product development, and even an odd stint as a security guard, she’s been there and done that. The lessons that she has learned lend themselves to the creative services that she provides.

Isaac Poole is a published fashion photographer from South Bend, Indiana. He says he has been blessed to photograph in cities like LA, Chicago and Miami. Isaac takes great pleasure in photographing images that are very bold and timeless. He is inspired by others’ unique talents and beauty. His work has been nationally recognized, as he was nominated to win Photographer of the Year by the Atlanta Art Awards. Isaac has also been published in multiple fashion magazines.

Being born in Vietnam, Cuong Tran had many struggles. Not only was there a language barrier and cultural shock, but he also had to overcome a variety of other challenges in his life. It has taught him to be patient, resourceful, hopeful. The compassion he has developed over the years drives him to truly care about the people he is around.

Cuong is a loving husband, a caring father, a cool brother, and an Asian who loves to dance. There are so many layers to him that you can probably cook a giant pot of onion soup.

He loves to help people get better at what they do and share his knowledge.

Diante Thomas (aka-Myartyoureyes) brings a unique approach to photography & art. Self-taught in art-photographer/videographer & now as a producer of music has twelve years of experience behind the lens.

Arria (V. Knox) is a multifaceted and accomplished artist, renowned for her exceptional talent and creative vision as a director, set designer, portrait and fashion photographer. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Arria has become a prominent figure in the artistic community, particularly in the Midwest region of the United States. Her dedication to providing unparalleled art direction for creatives has earned her a reputation as a guiding force for fellow artists seeking to elevate their work to new heights.

Ikenna Stovall is a Nigerian engineer turned creative with hopes of fighting for inclusion within the fashion industry through ways of media production and creative strategy. He aims to provide longevity for new and upcoming creatives.

Ikenna has been featured in Essence Magazine and Pattern Magazine for his influential style. He is big on fashion and beauty and has worked closely with Dr Martens, ASOS, Misbhv, SwearLondon, Koi Footwear, Beautycounter and more.

Lorea Turner is an actress, singer, and musician. She started taking music seriously at the age of 15 when she took her talents to the app Vine, where she gained over 100,000 followers in a short couple of months. Her first full cover was with friend Leroy Sanchez and they covered “Beauty and the Beast” which currently has 31 million views on YouTube. Later, Entertainment Weekly reviewed the song, and it was praised. She was also featured on Glamour Magazine where Demi Lovato reacted to Lorea’s cover of hers.

Lorea dropped her first single, “Secrets” in April of 2021.

She performed at H.E.R.’s Lights On Festival in September of 2021. She also sang at “Circle of Lights” in November and had a completely sold-out Christmas concert at the Indianapolis Arts Garden.

Towards the end of 2022, Lorea starred in Kirk Franklin’s “The Night Before Christmas” Lifetime original movie.

Imagist, Seed Lynn, submits deep listening as a liberation practice. Whether sensually, technically, or artfully applied, Lynn greets the lens as an altered state through which listening and witnessing make voice necessary. This state invades his work, frames subjects with honesty, and in turn, shapes spaces where stories find students. Lynn’s studies concern how we remember ourselves, who that memory honors, and how remembrance itself, in the face of oppression, is a cathartic act of love and protest.

Yul Meade Butler (aka- yulshootz) is a photographer based in Indianapolis. He shoots portraiture of subjects with an insightful aesthetic.

Gail Patrice Mallory is an American artist and graphic designer from Indianapolis, Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics and Multimedia Development from the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology. Gail also holds a M.B.A. from Prairie View A & M University. Gail currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

While living in Houston she participated in the Citywide African American Artist Exhibition (University Museum of Texas Southern University) sponsored by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2017, 2019). She has also shown her artwork in several group exhibitions.

VICTORY THE CREATOR is a Nigerian-American, multi-platform creative that utilizes the power of literature, writing, and community to create social commentary centering the Black gaze. Employing intersectional Black Feminist Theory, VICTORY explores the topics of Blackness, gender, masculinity, and intersectional Black feminism. The educational spaces he creates allow viewers to connect with the people in their daily lives with more care and understanding.

Largely underrepresented in museums and galleries, “Snuggy Bear”, Dr. Jarrod Nicholas Dortch is part of a movement of Black artists and curators who are hosting exhibits and creating work that shines a light on Black culture. He has been affiliated with Big Car as a Community Artist and Gardener at the Tube Factory Artspace. He is also a member of “The Eighteen”, a collective of local artists who made history by painting the #BlackLivesMatter mural on historic Indiana Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Since this offering, he has been part of exhibitions and programs at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and The Indianapolis Art Center, curated “Art and Vinyl” an annual celebration of Black art and music for Big Car and has received several grants to create artworks throughout the city.

His work was displayed on downtown storefronts during the NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament as part of #SWISH. Currently, his work can be seen in the “Art of Protest” exhibition at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Dortch serves as both a professor of communication and a business owner. He owns and operates Solful Gardens, a natural produce provider in Central Indiana that brings quality food access to urban areas that are underserved with an overall focus on food equity. He also has created “Snuggy Bear Presents’…” as a way to further disrupt the status quo of contemporary and fine art. With roots in art, community, and education, Snuggy Bear is leveraging these disciplines to help promote personal and communal growth one bespoke curation at a time.

Derek Tuder is a Multi-disciplinary Artist, Author, Photographer, and Instructor.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Derek displayed a love for art at a very young age. People began to take notice of his talents which eventually led to a full 4-year ride in college, many 1st & 2nd Place awards, and other opportunities.

His artwork has been published in national & worldwide publications and has been on exhibit at: The Herron School Of Arts +Designs, Arts Center of Indianapolis’ Market, The Indianapolis Arts Garden at Circle Centre Mall, The Harrison Center’s Independent Music + Art Festival 2021, Clowes Hall at Butler University, Broad Ripple’s Chromatic Collective, The Madame Walker Building, Tube Factory, Indiana Black Expo, Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, Indiana Interchurch Center, Indy Festival of Faith, 2018 & 2019 Flavor Fresh Contemporary Fine Art Annual Juried exhibitions, Open Bite Night, “What’s Behind the Doors” exhibition, the Green Men Art Gallery, Sullivan Art Gallery, and the Green House Indy Gallery, Nickel Prate Art Gallery, Lost Dog Gallery’s “Artifacts of 2020” Exhibition, Cleo’s Bodega, Garfield Park Arts Center’s Virtual First Friday, Art 3000, Deviant Art and Virtual Art Jam in Houston, Texas.

He has also been featured on WISH TV 8 News and also their Multicultural Spotlight, WRTV 6 News Story, WTHR 13 News and FOX 59 News promoting making safer streets and reducing the homicides in the City through his artwork and community outreach efforts & programs.

He created his 2020 Vision: Art, Fashion & Music Exhibitions throughout the city until the pandemic hit, so he took the exhibition online to keep his network of artists, designers, entertainers, models, poets, comedians & singers performing during lockdown.

So when the restrictions lightened up & the city slowly reopened Derek created the country’s 1st ever (Trademarked) Mini Van Go Mobile Art Gallery, which is taking over the art world. The Mini Van Go Mobile Art Gallery has been featuring many artists in many regular locations such as: The Harrison Center Independent Music + Art Festival, The Jamaican Breeze, Broad Ripple’s UpLand Brewery, Cleo’s Bodega and countless Festivals & Pop Up Events.

Derek Tuder is currently offering: Paint & Sip Parties, Paint Relays, Beady Bead Parties, Art Classes, Commissioned Art & Photo Shoots. Interested in booking or request the Mini Van Go Mobile Art Gallery Call 317-903-3137 or DerekTuder@gmail.com. See more on Instagram @DerekTuder or visit DerekTuder.com or SoTrendyA2Z.com

Proceeds of art sales are donated to reduce crimes & homicides with www.nobobs.org.

Haley Lewis is an Indianapolis-based visual creator providing high-quality imagery for brands, career professionals, and publications to help elevate their content and presence.

Aside from being a visual creator, Haley is the proud wife of a fisherman, dog mom to a Doberman Pinscher, an avid foodie, and a tech nerd who loves spending time with family and traveling the world.

Faith Blackwell has been a full-time photographer since 2011. While working in marketing for the International Masonry Institute, she picked up a camera and discovered her passion for photography. Photography chose her.

Faith is a published photographer specializing in business headshots, commercial, event, and fashion photography. Faith is the official photographer for Dress for Success Indianapolis and was the 2015 featured artist for Dress for Success Indianapolis Stepping Out In Style, the premier fundraiser for the organization.

Rhonda Greene is a native of Indianapolis Indiana. Photography’s been her passion since she was a little girl observing in her grandfathers dark room. She was a photography major at Ball State University, but the love for photography grew several years later, after pursuing other careers. After the birth of her daughter, Rhonda snapped every available moment, but with a twist. She wanted the moments’ emotion to reflect through her lens and allow the viewer to see what she captured. Rhonda calls herself a photo journalist because her images tell stories.

Vincent Black is the founder & creative director of Obsrv Agency LLC. and the current director of marketing & communications at The Patachou Foundation. He is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in graphic design, creative direction, and brand creation/development. Vincent is highly skilled in capturing the essence of a client’s brand identity and translating that message to a specific audience or customer. He is known for innovative designs which make lasting impressions and problem solving.

ess mcKee (Sylvia Payne Rivers) is a multimedia visual artist native to Arizona, based in Indianapolis, IN. Ess has been involved in the Indy arts scene as a muralist, designer, studio manager, organizer, instructor and curator for nearly a decade. Inspired by an appreciation for graffiti art and hip hop culture, her artistic expression manifests in the form of abstract paintings, character illustrations, digital design, and the combination of all three within murals. She is a current member of The Eighteen, an art collective of 18 artists that created the Black Lives Matter Mural in Indianapolis, IN. Ess is also a resident artist at The Harrison Center for the Arts.