Indianapolis Directory of
Artists of Color

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.”

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.

Donyá Collins, Indianapolis born and raised is a multidisciplinary published poet, illustrator, journalist, artist, and activist specializing in illustration and design. Owner of Art By Yay, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Collins works in several disciplines including but not limited to illustration, painting both traditionally and digitally, photography, and graphic design. She uses art to explore themes of identity, social constructs, and Black culture.

Deonna Craig is an Indianapolis-based visual artist and the owner of Art by Deonna. She graduated from Cathedral High School and DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology. Her eclectic spirit led her down various career paths from production assistant for the Jerry Springer talk show to Insurance, where she honed her leadership skills in Management and Fraud Investigation. After 15 years in Corporate America, Deonna’s creativity and love for adventure caused her to pursue art full-time.

Mirvia Sol Eckert is a Puerto Rican acrylic artist working in Indianapolis. Celebrating beauty is the fundamental concept unifying all her work. She captures beauty in small moments of observation, in close-up details found in nature, in moments of emotional turmoil & sorrow. She creates in vibrantly colored compositions, or in dramatic grayscale pieces. She uses forms, shapes that are stylized with crisp edges or outlines. Many aspects of her life find their way into her paintings: her Puerto Rican heritage, spirituality, love of family, friends, & fascination with nature. She’s been exhibiting her work since 2009 throughout Indianapolis, Central Indiana, Chicago. Her art can be found in homes throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Spain.

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 Reynolds is an Indianapolis-based singer, actor, and artist. She launched her music career in NYC, where she released two self-written albums, traveled the world singing with Gloria Gaynor of “I Will Survive” fame, and performed all over the city. Teresa rejoined the Indianapolis arts community in 2018, and has since performed her unique blend of pop, R&B, jazz and electronica at The Jazz Kitchen, with Art and Soul at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, at Fort Ben’s Cultural Campus with Arts for Lawrence, as part of the NCAA Tournament’s SWISH festival, at Concerts on the Canal, with the Indianapolis Propylaeum, and at local restaurants. Her music is available on all music platforms.

Kevin Nance West is a professional fine artist, art entrepreneur (and art instructor) in the Indianapolis area, specializing in contemporary abstract paintings and portrait art. Kevin is the founder and CEO of West Innovations, which is responsible for custom ‘paint by number’ technology used to service over one hundred seventy-five sip and paint studios and companies (nationwide).

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

Treseme Bryant, a native of Fort Brag NC, was raised in Indianapolis, Ind. She is a self-taught artist who was influenced by her father’s mastery and love of art. In her early teens, she was fascinated by fashion illustration and drawing models from magazines. Along her journey, she felt art was underappreciated and cared less for her work, later losing a most cherished portfolio. This declined her desire to draw again.

Today, she leans toward the love of portrait realism, abstract, and acrylic painting. Treseme Bryant desires to introduce other mediums in the future.

Eric Agyemang-Dua Jr. is a Ghanaian visual artist specializing in Conceptual-Minimalist Storytelling, mainly around Afrocentrism. He has been an active professional visual artist since 2018, but has also been drawing and sculpting since he was 18 months old. His art brand ‘EA.J’s Studio’ seeks to Connect, Engage, and Inspire various aspects of Human Connection and Social Innovation within various communities.

Ashley captures real moments of human interaction through portraiture using multiple mediums to express different ideas. She is a dedicated Visual Artist with a decorated background in a variety of artistic mediums. She is the Vice President of the Eighteen Art Collective and is highly experienced in oil painting and mixed media art. Adept at working independently and collaboratively on projects, and committed to achieving visual innovation and beauty. She is a muralist and an artist-driven by purpose and joy. Her art tells stories of joy and happiness that transcends time and space.

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.

A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Hajji is a hip-hop artist from Gary, Indiana, but now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. As far as Hajji can remember, music has been calling.

Hajji joined a band and instantly knew that the music clicked. After a history of playing drums at church for about seven years, Hajji found himself in the studio more. The studio, being an atmosphere full of music and passion, is a feeling Hajji can never get over. Hajji believes that expressing himself and helping others with their lives through music is his destiny.

I enjoy creating arts of all kinds, but my favorite is creating portraits. My love of drawing portraits started long before I can actually remember. I always wanted to be the creator of a cartoon character and have it develop into a cartoon show…maybe one day down the line. I’ve been creating works of art for my personal enjoyment and enhancing my skills continuously after graduate school. Within the past two years, I started creating more commissioned pieces for close friends and family. The few confirmations and nudges from my husband coerced me to share my gifts with the world!

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.

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.

Taylor Hall is an LA-based artist, activist, and public speaker. Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, Hall is a 2021 Ball State University Communications Graduate. During her time at Ball State, Hall served as the president of Men and Women of Color, interned for the U.S. House of Representatives, and became an emerging leader both on her campus and in the Indianapolis community during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. Hall was a key leader and organizer for one of the largest protests in 30 years in Indianapolis; with over 10,000 people at the State Capitol in June of 2020. She has organized over twenty protests across the U.S. and has assisted in registering thousands of voters. During the movement, Hall released her debut single “I Can’t Breathe” as a message of standing for love not hate.

Robert Bentley, a Broad Ripple High School graduate and Indianapolis native, started writing graffiti in High School around 2005-06. Later, Robert Bentley went on to attend college at Herron School of Art & Design for Printmaking & Drawing.

Robert Bentley is employed as a full-time printmaker. Robert Bentley is also a part-time self-employed muralist and fine artist, who also accepts commissions for graphic design work and apparel printing.

Courtland Blade is an American artist. Born in 1985 in Terre Haute, IN. Blade attended Vincennes University, University of Indianapolis, and Indiana State University for his undergraduate work, where he studied art. He completed his BFA at Indiana State University in 2008. In 2009 Blade moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the School and Museum of Fine Arts Boston in affiliation with Tufts University on a Full Merit Scholarship, where he completed his MFA in Visual art with a focus on Painting and contemporary practices. He lives and works in Indianapolis, IN.

Erika Smith is a self-taught multimedia artist from South Bend, IN. She draws inspiration from her background of African and Indigenous American heritage to express the beauty and strength within those cultures. Erika’s goal with every piece of artwork she produces is to inspire every viewer to see beauty in themselves and their heritage.

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.

Amiah Mims is an ever-growing designer and painter. Residing in Indianapolis, the 29-year-old is a 2015 graduate of Kent State University where she majored in Visual Communication Design and minored in Photo Illustration. She is also a retired KS U collegiate level gymnast and MAC Champion.

Previously, she was a full-time Graphic Designer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, her need to invest more into her organic artistic talents motivated her to take a leap of faith and branch out on her own. Now she offers a wider range of her creative services as a freelance designer, a professional artist and muralist, under her newly-founded company, Works By Mimsy LLC.

To date, a few of her art career highlights include the Indy BLM Street Mural project (2020), the Indianapolis Recorder building mural (2020), Art & Soul event branding (2022), the Goodwill/Cook Medical 38th St. building murals (2022) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum “Sleek: The Art of the Helmet” exhibition. She is also a member of The Eighteen Art Collective, a product of the BLM Street Mural, which includes the 18 black artists who participated in the creation of the mural. Her style is flexible and adapts accordingly, depending on her mood or the content of the piece. Amiah has always had the creative talent, but has only tapped into it with intention as of late. Learning to utilize her abilities to their full capacity has been an empowering journey and will continue to be.

Shaunt’e Lewis is a Visual Artist and Illustrator born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts. She currently resides in Fishers, IN where she also works from her home studio. She is a self-taught artist whose work centers around self-identity, black culture, and femininity. She specializes in colorful, bold illustrations as well as murals and original paintings for private collectors and commercial clients. Lewis’ passion for art, education, and entrepreneurship and her unmistakable style has established her as one of Indy’s most sought-after artists. “My work explores the relationship between feminism and the arts while incorporating bright colors and clean lines. I am particularly captivated by the endless facets and abstractness of my culture. I love to hear the different views and personal connections that my art creates. I find it very rewarding to share my passion and artistic talents with others. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions.”

The Little Black Girl was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when Artist Cassyetta Price was kept from work due to having lupus. As a way to cope, Price went back to her roots. Her art is a wide range of freelance work, including a new passion for woodwork art.

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.

Psylo Soundz is an audio engineer and DJ from the north side of Chicago. Being born into a musically inclined family, Psylo was exposed to music long before they came out of the womb. As the daughter of a renowned Chicago DJ, Psylo has taken advantage of the musical knowledge that seems innately a part of their being. From raw and authentic Chicago house music, to the grunginess of groups like The Clash and The Flying Lizards, Psylo’s knowledge of music is apparent in their ever-changing selection.

A 90s baby, Mechi Shakur is an Indianapolis raised and based. He has displayed art at the Indiana State Museum and made countless murals around the city of Indiana. Painting for five years now and self-taught, Mechi Shakur believes your art is a reflection of you and loves to blur the lines of reality and the imagination through an assortment of color all while diving into social and issues touching many subjects all at once.

Award-winning mixed media artist, Rebecca Robinson studied fashion design in Atlanta, Ga., and continued her education at North Carolina Central University where she majored in Art/ Visual Communications and graduated with high honors. Her background also includes art history, photography, graphic design, film, and creative marketing/branding. Rebecca was mostly known for her fashion design company PSNOB (pronounced snob) which launched in 2001 but in recent years, has taken a new direction with her craft. In the spring of 2019, Rebecca began the initial stages of forming her nonprofit organization called “ONE ARRT ”, which will become the first black-owned art supply brand that specifically supports all artists, art organizations, art education, museums/galleries, and communities in need who would prosper with proper funding and resources. Rebecca has also contributed to several nonprofit organizations throughout the country by auctioning her one-of-a-kind handbags and fine art.

Boxx the artist synthesizes interactive art through paintings, digital art, and installations. She is an Indianapolis-based full-time visual artist practicing for approximately 5 years professionally, from Gary, Indiana.

Boxx’s visual artwork uses acrylic, digital, mixed mediums, and public installations to capture different elements of life from the African diaspora promoting health, wealth, wellness, and celebrating Blackness.

Her art initiatives are to share interactive art and offer art that serves as a connector of community. Boxx has exhibited in a host of exhibits and installed different murals located throughout Indianapolis participating in the High Art Billboard Project, Murals for Racial Justice Project, and the Indy Art & Seek with a community interactive mural installation located at the Martindale-Brightwood Library.

She recently completed serving as an Artist Apprentice for the Bicentennial Major Taylor mural installation, installing a 5-story civic mural. She has severed as Maker-In-Resident for the Ignite Studio at the East Hamilton Public Library in Fishers, Indiana; Artist and Curator for Cat Head Press Artist Residency, and is a 2021 Fellow for the Indiana Arts Commission, On Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator. Connect with Boxx the Artist on social media @boxxtheartist on all platforms.

Being born in Vietnam, I had many struggles. Not only was there a language barrier and cultural shock, but I also had to overcome a variety of other challenges in my life. It has taught me to be patient, resourceful, hopeful. The compassion I’ve developed over the years drives me to truly care about the people I am around.

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

I love to help people get better at what they do. I love sharing what I know and I love learning!

Contemporary American artist Mike Graves has been producing art and music in Indianapolis for the last 29 years. Mike uses a wide range of media and subject matter to create pieces with diversity in style and composition. A closer look at his works portrays an intense image-maker, illustrator, and painter showing the real to the surreal.

As co-founder and a core element of BRIDGE Collective, an Indianapolis Arts Collective representing a wide range of cutting-edge contemporary artists and their work, Mike brings over 20 years of successful experience in curating both traditional and non-traditional gallery spaces. Possessing a wide range of knowledge and ability in regards to organizing art projects from conception to completion, he is an essential asset to the Indianapolis visual arts scene.

As a skilled deejay and original beats producer, Mike is available to provide entertainment for corporate events, house parties, and beyond. Spinning, reggae, dub, hip-hop, funk, jazz, soul, and original music; Mike adds his personal musical styling and stellar selection repertoire to any event.

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.

Hailing from Indianapolis, “Wavy” Blayne (Blayne McCrary) 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”. Learning through practical experiences of trial and error, and studying the works of Akira Toriyama and Jim Lee , Blayne has worked as a freelance artist since 2010.

Israel Solomon is a visual artist and art educator who currently works mainly within the Indianapolis area. As an artist, Israel enjoys sharing his work with the city of Indianapolis. In 2018, Israel produced a solo exhibition at the Indianapolis Arts Garden which highlighted his love of vibrant color and geometric shapes. In 2019, Israel displayed his work at the Garfield Park Arts Center, as well as the artist exhibition at the Indiana Black Expo. Israel has displayed his work publicly in a variety of places around the city and has created a living mural at KIPP Indy College Prep Middle School where he previously taught. Israel’s plan is to grow artistically as a painter and share his work with the world. As an educator, Israel envisions himself instructing drawing and painting on the collegiate level in the future. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis also selected Israel as a visiting artist for the 2020 year, where he displayed artwork and offered workshops to families. Israel has chosen to dedicate his professional life to his art and educating others. He intends to reach for the sky by sharing his artwork, knowledge, and experiences with people of all ages.

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Dana Powell-Smith is a multi-faceted artist. She works with Acrylics on Canvas, Multi-Media Art, and Digital Art. Dana honors her family and lineage through her process.

As a wife, mother, and grandmother, Dana understands the power of art in generational healing and in attaining freedom.

As the Granddaughter of Harlem Renaissance artist Georgette Seabrooke Powell, Dana was immersed in the art world from a young age. Her sweetest childhood memories were in joining her grandmother in DC as she activated in public spaces and in painting alongside other children, on the sidewalk and in the park.

Dana continued to paint in private for more than a decade but never imagined her work would travel beyond her own home. After a traumatic brain injury almost thirty years ago, Dana laid her brush down for many years when Doctors told her she would not be able to work again. Rather than acquiesce to their limitations, Dana pushed herself to regain her normal life, relearning how to walk again and even pursuing a new collegiate degree.

Dana was never one to be told what she can and cannot do. She is a published Artist and an Award-Winning Artist, with art displayed inside the Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis (public art).

Soon after the televised police killings of our Black men, Dana moved back to the canvas to process her anger and grief. She has painted every day since. Dana was born and raised in the suburbs of New York. Dana now calls Indianapolis Indiana home.

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.