As this is the last blog post in my series for Black History Month, I’ve been reflecting on my journey as a Maker and Artist and how it took me almost all of my life to realize that I was indeed a Maker and Artist. I’d been taught all my life to be creative and am well versed in Crochet, Knitting, Sewing, Quilting, Macrame, Interior Design and other creative and DIY endeavors. But when it was time to actually pick a career, it didn’t even occur to me to pursue the Creative Arts.
Back in the day, as an African American child, you were pointed in the direction of work that would pay the bills. I even remember singing in talent shows in high school, but when the band wanted me to join them in College and tour the country, I was heavily discouraged. Okay, to be perfectly honest, I was forbidden. So I went and got my Business Degree and worked in Finance and Accounting until I got laid off the year after Covid hit in 2021. I thought of my lay-off as an opportunity and decided to start my own creative business, which includes this Blog. I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but I’ve been excited to finally be pursuing my passions.
So, I have always admired African American artists that have bucked the traditions and have gone their own way. In Honor of Black History Month (BHM) I have listed just some of my favorites African American artisans. African American artisans have significantly enriched various crafts, from ceramics and woodworking to quilt-making, sculpting and even more. It was so hard to narrow it down, but these 16 AA companies are special in how they’ve broken through the barriers and created art with no compromises.
Textile Art
Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective
Website | Instagram | Quilting Retreats
Gee’s Bend is officially in the town of Boykin, Alabama and the women of Gee’s Bend have been creating quilts since the 19th century. With just over 200 people, it’s literally tucked into a bend in the Alabama River and surrounded on three sides by water. There’s just one road to get into the enclave and a ferry that runs only a few times a day.
Many residents are descendants of the slaves on the old Pettway plantation, and a lot of them still have the same last name as Pettway. After emancipation, their ancestors stayed to farm the land but the community remained isolated and impoverished. The women cooked and cleaned, worked in the fields and made quilts to keep their families warm. They used found materials and old clothes so the quilts had a unique and improvisational look.
In the late 90’s, art dealer Bill Arnett visited Gee’s Bend and loved the artistry in the quilts that were born out of necessity. Mary Margaret Pettway heard about this stranger and was astonished that he wanted to buy her mother’s quilts. They have rightfully gained international acclaim throughout the years and are now celebrated in major art institutions. They have collaborated with fashion designers, own Etsy shops, sell into retail stores, publish books, have merchandise, conduct guided tours and host quilting retreats among other ways to allow their small community to flourish.
Souls Grown Deep Foundation – This was founded in 2010 to give recognition to Gee’s Bend quilt-making but they’ve expanded and now support black artists from the American South.
Their unique, abstract styles are fortunately being passed down to a fifth generation so their craft and traditions won’t be lost.
Collaboration with Greg Lauren, son of Ralph Lauren, and 14 Gee’s Bend quilters.
Sanford Biggers
In his studio in Harlem New York, Sanford Biggers works with antique quilts and discarded scraps that are often given to him from friends and family and then he transforms them into works of art. Since many of his materials were originally going into the trash, it’s amazing that now the finished pieces are on the walls of museums and are being collected by art aficionados all over the world.
Born in Los Angeles, he grew up in a community surrounded by neighborhoods of Japanese and German immigrants which informed his outlook on life. After receiving a BA from Morehouse College in Atlanta and an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, he lived in Japan and worked as an English teacher.
He believes that his quilts are a way of “disrupting the narrative” and showing that even though textiles and quilts have often been excluded from fine art institutions, they can and should be considered art. His experimental wall-hangings and 3D sculptures are a mashup of used fabrics in a modern abstract way. Like most makers, he has a varied background in film/video, sculpture, installation, music and performance.
One of 33 quilt-based works that were a part of the “Codeswitch” art exhibition at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
Part of the “Selah” exhibit and titled “Khemestry” at the Marianne Boesky Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan. It consists of antique quilts, birch plywood and gold leaf.
Spirits
Uncle Nearest Whiskey
As a slave in 1850s Tennessee, Nathan “Nearest” Green was a master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey-making. Despite his important role, Nearest’s contributions were largely unrecognized for over a century.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey was founded in 2017 to honor him. The brand produces a range of premium Tennessee whiskeys, including the 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey and the 1884 Small Batch Whiskey. It was established by Fawn Weaver, who, upon learning about Nearest Green’s overlooked contributions to the whiskey industry, aimed to bring his legacy to the forefront. In 2016, Weaver purchased the Tennessee farm where Green and Jack Daniel once worked together which is an incredible piece of history and has brought the story full circle.
Since its inception, the company has expanded its product line to seven varieties and achieved significant acclaim in the spirits industry. In October 2023, Uncle Nearest acquired the 100-acre estate and vineyard of Domaine Saint Martin. It’s located in the Champagne district of Cognac, France. This strategic plan is moving them into the production of cognac and expands their portfolio.
Whiskey barrels that are used to age and impart flavor to the spirits.
Elegant bottling establishes Uncle Nearest as a premium brand.
Loft & Bear
Paul Ryan Elliott always knew he wanted to run his own business. After college, he owned a construction business with his mother. He didn’t know what kind of business but tried to think of something that someone who looked like him wouldn’t traditionally participate in. He thought of a distillery business and after many trials and errors, came up with the idea of Vodka. He had sampled premium vodkas throughout the years and he admits he was always the one in his group of friends who bought the liquor for all of their social events.
The next hurdle was to get start-up financing which costs several million dollars. One of his cousins, who owned an IT company agreed to invest. There was only one other distillery at the time in Los Angeles so Elliott thought that it would be the best place for a new Vodka. Since its beginning in 2012, he has expanded into an 8,600 square foot distillery in the middle of South Los Angeles. He has also expanded distribution to Washington DC and the Bahamas.
Loft & Bear is made with organic wheat and pure California spring water. His accolades include him being honored as Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40”, Los Angeles Magazine calling it the “whiskey drinker’s vodka” and a silver medal at both the New York International Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. He is also committed to working in the community and donates a percentage of his profits to PATH (People Assisting the Homeless).
Paul’s first vodka still when he was working out of a loft in the Los Angeles arts district.
The bottles are minimalist but chic.
Fine Art
Danielle McKinney
Danielle McKinney is an American artist who lives and works in Jersey City, NJ. She is celebrated for her introspective portrayals of solitary black female figures. With its themes of solitude and self-reflection, it is sometimes so intimate that you almost feel like you’re imposing on the subject. Her paintings are also characterized by their rich color palettes which she creates with oils on linen.
Being a Black female artist in the art world presented Ms.McKinney with challenges including representation and visibility. So as a result, she creates spaces where Black women are seen in moments of introspection and tranquility which is often the opposite of the stereotypes of Black women.
McKinney’s artistic career began with formal training in painting. She earned a BFA at Atlanta College of Arts in 2005 and an MFA at Parsons School of Design in 2013. Her work has been exhibited in a multitude of galleries, including the Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York.
Oil on linen titled “Singular”
Oil on linen titled “Hold Your Breath”
Tawny Chatmon
Residing in Maryland but born in Tokyo, Japan as an army brat, Tawny Chatmon experienced three different continents all before the age of 12. Her work merges photography with mixed media and celebrates African American culture. It often features ornate embellishments added to photographic portraits of Black children. When I first saw her portraits, I instantly got it. Adorning black children with the trappings of royalty or past Master’s work imparts a sense of history as well as a self-esteem affirming narrative.
Chatmon began her career as a professional portrait photographer, capturing intimate portraits that told a story. Over time, she transitioned into fine art and started to incorporate different materials like acrylic, paper and gold leaf into her photography.
She has worked to carve out a niche that blends various mediums in a field where traditional photography often dominates. In 2018 she was named the IPA International Photographer of the Year. She plans to continue exploring the fusion of photography and other art forms. Educating audiences about the depth of messaging and the significance of her mixed-media approach has been both a challenge and a mission.
Inspired by Byzantine tilework and mosaics. Part of the “Iconography” collection.
From her “Deeply Embedded” collection. A photographic portrait of a child enhanced with African fabric and carrying the ancestors in her hair. Very poetic.
Ceramics & Pottery
Lolly Lolly Ceramics
Lolly Lolly Ceramics, founded by Lalese Stamps, is known for its distinctive, handcrafted ceramic mugs and tableware. Each piece is celebrated for its unique design, particularly the innovative handles that have become a trademark of the brand. Her business is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
She began her undergraduate studies in graphic design at the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) but soon wanted to escape from digital work so she enrolled in a ceramics class at a local arts center in Columbus, Ohio. This started her passion for pottery and Lolly Lolly Ceramics was born. Working full time in a design job and enjoying ceramics on the side, she finally decided to dedicate her career to ceramics in 2020, turning it from a passion project into a successful business.
A milestone in her career was her ambitious 100-Day Project, which you might have seen on Instagram. She committed to designing and creating 100 unique mugs in 100 days. Navigating the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, she secured studio space and managed the increased demand following her project’s success. Additionally, as an African American woman in the ceramics industry where minority representation is limited, she has made a name for herself.
She has since collaborated with Lulu and Georgia designing home decor and Fortner Custom Furniture where she designed a chair based on one of her mugs. This evolution reflects her commitment to diversifying the offerings of Lolly Lolly Ceramics.
One of the many badass mugs that she created in her 100-Day Project.
In celebration of her famous mugs.
Nur Ceramics
Dina Nur Satti is a Brooklyn-based ceramic artist and designer originally from Sudan and Somalia. She was raised in France and Kenya but has called NYC home for over 20 years. Her pursuit of ceramics came from her degree in International and Intercultural Studies at Fordham University. As is usually the case with immigrants, her family thought a “real” career was as either a doctor, an engineer or academia. She started meeting artists in NYC and realized they had a purpose which she longed for.
She started exploring different art forms and connected to clay not only because of her passion for the medium but because it spoke to her in a spiritual way. Her father’s family is from the Sudanese side of Nubia which is one of the great African pottery civilizations. She left a development job after seven years and established her business in 2017.
Nur Ceramics explores and studies objects from around the world. She travels extensively throughout Africa and the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region to meet with communities that are still using the ancient methods of this craft. She currently has a group exhibition at the Efie Gallery in Dubai and has been written up in numerous magazines..
One of her footed bowls that’s simple but stunning.
These oversized obelisks are almost spiritual in nature.
Industrial Design
Jomo Tariku
Jomo Tariku is an Ethiopian-American industrial designer known for his African-inspired furniture designs. He founded Jomo Furniture in 2017 and works in the D.C. area. His early exposure to diverse cultures profoundly influenced his design sensibilities. He pursued Industrial Design at the University of Kansas and that’s where he began integrating African motifs inspired by African wildlife and different cultural objects into his work.
He has faced the challenge of redefining furniture design to include African designs but breaking into a market dominated by Western aesthetics required persistence and a commitment to showcasing the richness of African design traditions. Tariku is passionate about promoting African design on global platforms and collaborating with other designers to expand the reach and also the appreciation of African-inspired furniture.
Tariku is the co-founder of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) and his work has been exhibited on four continents. He has also been celebrated in publications such as Architectural Digest, dwell, Elle Decor and The New York Times. Another passion project is the non-profit he formed called The ARTiculate Design Lab which seeks to educate, teach and create opportunities for underserved communities in the industrial design field.
The Nyala chair which is inspired by antelope horns.
I love this afro pick inspired chair.
Stephen Burks
Stephen Burks usually comes up with a concept and then lets craftsmen around the world build it. He is an American industrial designer celebrated for his innovative approach that seamlessly blends traditional craft techniques with contemporary design. Born in Chicago in 1969, Burks pursued his passion for design at the Illinois Institute of Technology and continued his studies at Columbia University where he immersed himself in architecture and product design.
In 1997, he founded his New York-based studio, initially named Readymade Projects and is now named Stephen Burks Man Made. His breakthrough came in 2000 when Italian design brand Cappellini began producing his designs. A pivotal moment in his career was in 2005 when he traveled to South Africa to work with local artisans. This experience deepened his commitment to integrating traditional crafts into contemporary design.
He has worked with Roche Bobois, Ligne Roset, Missoni, Dedon and Harry Winston among many others and also paved the way for the “designer as entrepreneur”. In 2015 he became the first African-American to win the Nation Design Award for product design. He is committed to fostering collaborations that celebrate cultural diversity and wants to inspire the next generation of designers to incorporate artisanal techniques into their own work.
This barstool is part of his collection for BD Barcelona Design with woven wool and vinyl fabric by Bolon Textiles.
The Kida Lounge Chair collaboration with Dedon, a German luxury outdoor furniture company.
Leatherworks
Agnes Badoo
Agnes Baddoo is the Queen of Effortless Chic and has more personal style than most which derives from her NYC upbringing. She founded her Los Angeles culf-favorite luxury leather goods brand in 2013 and specializes in authentic craftsmanship and functional, simple designs. As a former editorial fashion stylist, she arrived at being a luxury leather goods designer by actually needing a very specific bag for herself so she made it. It turns out that a lot of people wanted an impeccably crafted, unbranded leather bag too. Starting small at the Echo Park Craft Fair, her first season sold out in hours.
The brand is all about slow fashion, with each piece crafted in small batches in Los Angeles using the kind of leather that only gets better with age. Running an independent brand in an era of fast fashion and logo mania isn’t easy and Baddoo has had to navigate the challenges of making high-quality, small-batch goods while competing with mass production and the idea that accessories should be cheap. But she stays true to her philosophy that ultimately people will always crave investment pieces that are built to last.
Baddoo’s future plans include exploring new materials and sustainable practices to ensure her brand remains as conscious as it is chic. She has collaborated with the world renowned producer, Mara Brock Akil, for two collections and also with Naked Cashmere for a neutral line that goes with everything.
Part of a handbag and eyeglass case collaboration with producer Mara Brock Akil.
A bag made from veggie tan leather and canvas.
Ashya
Since launching in 2017, Ashya has become known for its luxuriously crafted yet understated bags that merge style with utilitarianism. Based in Brooklyn, the duo crafts unsex accessories including Italian leather belt bags, crossbody pocketbooks with built-in card holders and croc-embossed passport covers for the traveler.
The story of the brand’s two founders, Ashley Cimone and Moya Annence is not quite as well known.They met in class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and were drawn to each other. After partnering in a final class project, they realized how well they worked together. They both had post-college careers and travel became a very important part of their friendship. They loved to travel the globe and once when they were in India, they were looking for belt bags and couldn’t find anything that was elevated as well as functional. The idea for ASHYA (a combination of Ash from Ashley and Ya from Moya) was born in 2015.
The vision for ASHYA, has been rooted in travel with inspiration from art, film, sculptural work and everyday items. They want to bring cultural awareness to the underrepresented Black traveler/explorer and unify style with utility.
Pastels are all the rage for 2025 and this baby blue bag is so cute.
This double bag belt is perfect and I love the mint color.
Sculpting
Murjoni Merriweather
Murjoni Merriweather is an American sculptor based in Maryland whose work celebrates everyday Black beauty, incorporating elements like colorful braids, hoop earrings, and gold teeth. There’s a playfulness to her sculptures and her talents started at the young age of six in a household that fostered a love of art. She took her first ceramics class in the 8th grade at a predominantly white school but didn’t love working with the wheel. The teacher introduced her to hand sculpting and she fell in love with it.
She decided to pursue formal training in sculpture and graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2018 with her BFA in Ceramics. Her work has since gained recognition for its “vibrant portrayal of Black culture, transforming traditional ceramic forms into contemporary statements of identity”.
Her sculptures have been featured in exhibitions such as “Activating the Renaissance” at the Walters Art Museum, the De La Cruz Museum, Art Basel in Miami, the Mobile Art Gallery, the Smithsonian and her first solo install with Cultural DC and the Anacostia Community Museum. Merriweather plans to expand her practice by exploring larger-scale works and public art installations, aiming to make Black beauty and culture more visible in communal spaces. She also continues to advocate for greater representation in the art world.
One of her most known sculptures is “SEE ME” which was a class project when she was still in college! This depiction of a black man showing off his grill is iconic.
From her collection called “Braided”.
Simone Leigh
Simone Leigh’s multidisciplinary practice encompasses sculpture, video, and installation. Born in Chicago, she received a BA in Fine Art with a minor in Philosophy from Earlham College in Indiana in 1990. This is where she started training in traditional ceramics and interned at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Now she works with bronze along with traditional clay and often combines raffia, cowrie shells and tobacco leaves to her sculptures. She concentrates on the lives and stories of Black women referencing the Black female body, architectural forms and African pottery.
There is a complexity to navigating an art world that has historically marginalized Black female artists so she continues to challenge these institutions by creating spaces that put Black women’s experiences and contributions in the forefront.
Her work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions like the Guggenheim, the New Museum of Contemporary Art and the Hammer Museum. Ms. Moore has also won numerous awards. Working from her studio in Brooklyn, she aims to expand her exploration of communal spaces and shared histories, fostering dialogues that bridge art, culture, and social justice.
“Last Garment” was shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.
This jug is now owned by a private collector and is just fabulous.
Glass Artistry
Debora Moore
Debora Moore is known worldwide for her intricate and lifelike botanical sculptures. Her work shows the delicate beauty of nature and she particularly loves orchids and other flora. She was born into a military family in St. Louis, Missouri and her early exposure to diverse environments nurtured her appreciation for nature.
In the 1980’s she started taking classes at the Pilchuck Glass School, where she honed her skills and became a member of Dale Chihuly’s glass blowing team. Dale Chihuly is arguably the most famous glass artist in the world so this further refined her craft. Moore faced challenges in the predominantly male field of glass art and it was difficult to establish her own voice. Especially when she decided to commit to depicting flora and she had to experiment relentlessly and master a lot of complex techniques.
Exploring the intersection of art and nature, she has plans to create more large-scale installations and she’s dedicated to supporting emerging artists and sharing her expertise with people who have not been exposed to glass art.
Her famous intricate glass orchids. Just gorgeous.
From her NAAM (Northwest African American Museum) installation.
Cedric Mitchell
Cedric Mitchell is a Los Angeles based glass artist originally from Oklahoma. He is inspired by Graffiti Art, 90’s Pop Culture, Mid-Century Modern Design and the Memphis Design Group. MDG was an Italian design collective that created bold and colorful furniture, fabric and objects in the 80’s. His contemporary designs often feature vibrant colors and simple forms.
He was introduced to glass blowing when he was a rap artist in Oklahoma and noticed his friend’s colorful bong. His friend told him about a glass blowing class at the Tulsa Glassblowing School. Initially he wanted to make glass pipes but his instructor quickly dismissed that and redirected him towards traditional objects. He apprenticed at the school in exchange for studio time.
Entering the niche world of glass art without a traditional art background was always a challenge for him since when he started there were only three African American glass artists. He had to acquire his skills quickly and did that by apprenticing at the school in exchange for studio time. In 2015 he was ready to relocate to Los Angeles and devote himself full time to his art.
Mitchell plans to experiment with larger-scale works and collaborate on projects that merge glass with other materials. He also offers glass blowing classes in the Los Angeles area and has been the artist in residence several times at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Cedric is known for his colorful stacked totems.
His colorful take on a whiskey glass.
These individuals exemplify resilience and creativity, each overcoming unique challenges to enrich their respective fields. They have challenged stereotypes and expanded the representation of Black artists in contemporary art and made people see its cultural significance.
If you have missed any of my BHM blogs posts here they are:
7 of the Best African American Interior Designers
6 Black Fashion Designers You Should Know
See ya next time.
0 Comments