Written Word

Born and raised in Indianapolis, and a proud Eastside resident, Cierra Johnson’s art focuses on identity and the ethereal nature of human existence. A mixed-media artist and designer, she believes art allows people to see themselves and others in a new light, “I am inspired by my community. I try to make work that encourages and reflects the communities that I am a part of.”

Pope Gaskine, an Indianapolis native, is a professional artist specializing in acrylic and oil canvas artist. Gaskine is also an Indiana Member of the Eighteen Art Collective and is a published Professional Esthesia Artist.

Beatriz Vasquez is a visual ARTIVIST, whose work experiments with the conceptual use of Papel Picado, a Mexican Folk Art. With the manipulation of paper materials she transforms layers of intricate cut paper into murals, creates wearable sculptures, and exhibits large scale installations. Her work focuses on her Mexican-American ancestry, cultural memory, border culture, and current social issues on immigration, human rights and climate change advocacy. Vasquez received her BFA in 2006 from Indiana University’s Herron School of Art and Design.

I am a geometric bead artist. My primary method of creating art is weaving beads. Whether it is to be adornment for the body (wearable) or adornment for personal space (sculptural), my art is always driven by and created from a place of geometric spatial exploration and interaction. Thanks in part to blogs, local and global (social media) networking, I’ve enjoyed various creative opportunities, such as being a member of the BeadInfinitum.com Design Team, creating art for the Indianapolis Downtown Public Library’s Meet The Artist exhibit, styling models at several local fashion events, teaching for ReGeneration Indy, teaching at the Bead and Button Show, and creating commissioned artwork for private clients as well as collaborative work with other fine artists. Additionally, my beaded artwork has been published within the Bridges Organization, the Joint Mathematics Meetings, and “1000 Beads”, a Lark Crafts Publishing book.

I have had a passion for handicrafts throughout my life, beginning in elementary school. I became curious about and fascinated with beads at age 13; I would entreat my mother to purchase beads for me while she shopped for fabrics to have clothing made by her seamstress. I taught myself some basic stitching techniques with seed beads, then I began making and selling jewelry to my friends and classmates. Moving quickly forward to about 2007, I became fascinated with three-dimensional beading, specifically made with geometric concepts. Designing and creating with small beads and monofilament, I have diligently explored and engineered components that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally & structurally sound.

Teresa Vazquez is an artist, writer, dream midwife, and educator of Afro Cuban heritage whose art practice is integrally linked to her dream work. She works primarily in painting, drawing, mixed media collage, and digital media.

Her most recent body of work, #Antibody, an Emerging Series, is a collection of works on paper produced in spring & summer, 2020. These pieces are dreams on the scale of antibodies that attempt to answer the question, “What is the experience of the antibodies as they confront the CoVid19 virus?” They all use liquid media with various resist and hand-coloring techniques. Some pieces feature one antibody figure, while others depict fields of antibodies in dynamic encounters evoking physical battles, ecstatic dance, and unity in diversity.

Teresa has an MFA in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in Creative Writing from Oberlin College. Currently, she teaches Visual Art and Spanish at the Fort Wayne Virtual Academy and was the former Community Programs Manager and a Painting & Drawing Instructor at the Indianapolis Art Center. She has received 2022 On Ramp Fellowship from the Indiana Arts Commission. Teresa is a mother and grandmother. Her She-Shed Studio is out behind her eldest daughter’s house.

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.