FEATURED ARTISTS
J. Stacey grayson
J. Stacey Grayson (ArtByJStacey) is an Atlanta-based mixed media artist whose vibrant, one-of-a-kind works blend natural talent with fearless experimentation. His recent honors include 2nd Place People's Choice for Naomi and an Honorable Mention for Before Romie Met Julie at the South Cobb Arts Alliance. Featured in the 2025 Portraits Exhibition and Publication, he is preparing for a solo show at the Fulton County Main Library (Nov. 2025–Feb. 2026). As curator of the 25th Dynasty Arts Residency, J. Stacey has showcased emerging talents alongside his own work, continuing his mission to create art that connects, uplifts, and inspires.
25th Dynasty live's ART CURATOR
LEE WYNN
My name is Lee Wynn, and I am a visual artist who is also known as the "Art Snob." I started painting in late 2010 by happenstance, not knowing that I had the knack for it, but it has been a wonderful blessing to discover. My medium of choice is oil on canvas, as well as mixed media, which is a combination of oil and acrylic. My artwork is influenced by my love of Black History, Jazz Music, and African Culture. Whenever I pick up my paintbrush to record my thoughts on canvas, my mission is to tell a story through my brushstrokes. I am a new member of South Cobb Art Alliance which has also been a blessing. They gave me my first opportunity to showcase my artwork in a public setting, which also led to a solo exhibition at North Cobb Regional Library. I currently have artwork being exhibited at the Smyrna Community Center along with other talented artists. I look forward to continuing my art journey along side other artists in hopes of pushing this thing we all love called " Art" forward...
IGWE WATERS
Igwe Waters is a multi-disciplinary creative, specializing in conceptual, mix media, abstract and graphic design. Igwe has been sharing his creative gift with the world since his youth Igwe is the owner of Art By Quay LLC. His mission is to enrich the earth with bold and breathtaking visual art pieces that provoke and ignite creative awareness. Igwe has associate degree in graphic design. Igwe has been defining the graphic standards by producing unique and vibrant visual designs that command attention for over 20 years.
HEAVEN GOODE
Heaven Goode (Pronounced like "Good") is a 22-year-old, Georgia-residing, multifaceted artist. She enjoys anything from sketching on paper, to painting on canvas, to crafting anything else she can get her hands on. Her favorite means of creation would be mixed-media works--as this opens a whole new realm of endless possibilities when it comes to creating.
CHRIS GARY
Creative Artist
Born January 25th 1967 in Washington DC.
Inspired by family as a child.
Creates paintings, portraits, ceramics, jewelry, wood carvings, and various wood works.
Chris also works with multiple mediums.
PAMÉ SAWYER-SMITH
Pamé Sawyer-Smith is a self-taught abstract artist originally based in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area and later made Georgia her home.
She uses her God-given talents to create textured, mixed-media abstracts of fluid movements in vibrant and festive hues or delicately soft spectrums of pastel colors. She collaborates with private collectors, interior designers and set designers in acquisition of her works, which are suitable for residential and commercial settings as well as TV/Film.
Her one of a kind works of art include paintings of all sizes, hand-painted note cards, hand painted bookmarks and paint by number kits. Pamé also conducts Abstract Art Paint and Sip events through her brand, Totally Abstract!
REGINA BRANTLEY AMMONS
Artist Regina Brantley Ammons (b. 1958, Dublin, GA) spent over 35 years in the printing industry before embracing her lifelong passion for art in retirement. At the Harriet G. Darnell Senior Center, she explored painting, drawing, and pottery, with her work featured in every Artist Walk showcase since 2023. This exhibition marks her first solo show, celebrating creativity, resilience, and a life richly lived. A proud mother and grandmother, Regina's art reflects both family and spirit.
KOBAY
Kobay is a 26-year-old artist from Atlanta, Georgia, whose work is deeply rooted in the vibrant energy of the city and the pulse of hip-hop culture.
Though music was the initial spark of inspiration, it was photography that became the true medium for self-expression. His fascination with athletics photographers evolved into a deep passion for visual storytelling, blending the raw energy of urban life with abstract elements that mirror the dynamic rhythms of the music he grew up with.
Kobay's work merges the geometric power of skyscrapers with fluid abstraction, creating a unique visual language that reflects both the personal and the universal. Each piece is an exploration of space, sound, and movement-an homage to the city that raised him and the music that continues to fuel his creativity.
KNOWNBRIDGE
KnownBridge is a self-taught artist inspired by spirituality, nature, and meaningful connections. His work blends Pop-Surrealism, Romanticism, and Fantasy, creating a vibrant world of art that aims to connect, uplift, and heal.
MARIETTA SOLOMON
A worldwide illustrator and painter who is always looking for new ways to express herself, Marietta enjoys the idea that form isn't required for function, but function and form must coexist. If a viewer takes a few moments to look at and think about a piece she's created, she says she's done her job well.
Her art ranges from abstract, figurative, and still life to portraiture and illustration. "Art would not exist if it did not have the potential to materialize an idea or concept." Her art is a never-ending quest and not bound by any one media.
Each piece she makes is both a continuation of where she's come from and what she's learned in the past, as well as a foreshadowing of the future, as she paints from all aspects of life whether its political, spiritual or personal.
Her Background:
Marietta is a Virginia native who currently resides in Austell, Georgia. She attended Norfolk State University but received her bachelor's degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Additionally, she studied under the late great artist Urself Rasheed and is a member of the Atlanta Artists Club & African Americans for the Arts (AAFTA).
JK HUNT
The Artist JK Hunt started his art journey at a young age, but became serious about that journey in 2011, while working in an environment that possessed a lot of downtime. JK used that downtime to hone his skills, and began to create art that he felt good about sharing with others. Now JK creates high quality artworks that creates feelings of connectivity and nostalgia, using vibrant colors over several different subjects and media types. JK produces artwork that has his signature style and look in each piece that he creates, letting anyone who puts their eyes on one of his creations know that, that is a JK Hunt original. His artistic journey is just beginning, and shows no signs of stopping.
AISHA LUMUMBA
Aisha Lumumba is a native of Georgia who always enjoyed creating things. She says, "Quilting found me as I was looking for a way to express my identity in the world. It slowly became my art of choice over the course of several years. I had no idea it was an art form because it was simply what my people did to keep warm. I strive to create artwork that gives a glimpse into the life and history of African American people. I started out making quilts that are now known as "Heritage" or "Traditional" quilts which led me to art quilts. Art Quilts include portraits, landscapes, nature and other picturesque scenes."
Ms. Lumumba also says, "he deeper I delve into art quilts, I leaned on images from my own childhood and community as well as African and African American history makers. I am mostly influenced by many modern African and African American artists."
MAGDALENA O’CONNOR
Sculptor, Welder, Body Artist, Teaching Artist
Magdalena is an Award-Winning Body Artist and has competed internationally since 2007.
Retrained as a welder fabricator in 2014, their current practice focuses on sculptural work and knowledge-sharing. Magdalena founded Desireline Studios in 2018. Desireline Studios specializes in environmental design using steel and reclaimed materials to create functional artwork. Magdalena has expertise in many mediums and industries. There skills set and desire to expand possibilities has allowed them to develop innovative new technologies.
"I love beautiful trash. Our Earth has limited resources, and reused materials possess unique beauty. transforming discarded items into desirable objects is not just about salvaging valuable resources. These objects symbolize parts of our experiences that are often overlooked or deemed undesirable. By accepting and incorporating these elements into our lives, we can reframe value. enhancing beauty and functionality for future generations.
My aim is to create work that inspires joy. To learn and play throughout the creative process. I can't resist a dual-purpose object. functional art allows you to touch and engage with the senses. Being a teaching artist is an important part of my practice. I love learning and sharing my knowledge with others. I'm grateful to all my teachers over the years and I'm constantly inspired by my students. I hope to never stop learning."
NAYLON MITCHELL
"Genteel" is one of those words seldom heard in the lexicon of our cosmopolitan community of up and comers. The very word slows the pace of our speech, paying homage to the Southern heritage and bringing to mind thoughts of Atlanta, the current home of Artist/Actor Naylon Mitchell.
Naylon is a Brooklyn born and raised self-identified African American Artist/Actor whose paintings summon scenes reminiscent of familiarity: these images we have all recorded in the playgrounds of our minds.
As the Artist side of his creativity, Naylon Mitchell's goal is to create very beautiful, colorful, and wonderful images for people to live with. He states: "I want people who see my art to get a good feeling for life, to be uplifted. It especially gives me great pleasure when someone tells me how they can sincerely identify with the subject matter of my images."
Naylon is also an Atlanta-Based Actor who has previously worked in the Los Angeles and New York market. He has many film, Theater, TV shows and Commercials to his credit. He has a B.A. Degree in Filmmaking from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn New York. He is also a proud alumni of Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York (Go Dutchman !!!).
Michael David
Painter | Sculptor | Muralist
Born and raised in Bloomfield, Connecticut, Michael David has always had a passion for the arts. From a young age, he excelled in various forms of creative expression, including painting, drawing, and music.
Then at the age of 16, Michael David made the bold decision to move to Atlanta on his own to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist and quickly made a name for himself in the local art scene. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to supporting small businesses and other artists. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
One of Michael David’s unique talents is the ability to use color theory to effect moods when painting. Understanding the power of color and how it can evoke different emotions in viewers guides him in his artistic pursuits. Making it only right that he calls his painting service moodPAINTERS. Through which he supports his passion of supporting non-profits, giving back to the community and other ways to make a positive impact.
Above all, Michael David believes in the importance of nurturing one’s natural strengths and living in their truth. He encourages others to embrace their unique talents and passions, and to never give up on their dreams.
BRENDA PHILLIPS
I presently reside in Atlanta, Ga. I'm a self-taught artist, creating from a digital art medium. My digital paintings mirror the joy and energy I feel when creating works of uninhibited color, movement and emotion. My mission is to invite the viewer to enjoy my work, to smile with it from the inside out. To enjoy my passion, drawing you into each piece, whether it's bold in-your-face, or a subtle and alluring introspective mood. MY technique is highly improvisational, creating in the time and space of the moment, using only what I am feeling and the mental pictures from my life's journey. Some who have viewed my work say it makes them smile. Bold, vibrant colors, reflect passion. I'm honored to share my work with you.. Everyday and everything creates new possibilities in what one discovers through art. Thank you for sharing my joy.... ~Brenda Phillips Artist~
GERALD BYRD
Gerald Byrd is an American artist whose work lives at the intersection of history, myth, spirituality, and contemporary Black identity. Through painting, drawing, installation, and image-making, Byrd reclaims narratives that have been muted or erased, placing African American presence firmly within landscapes—both real and imagined—where it has always existed.
His art often revisits the American West, not as nostalgia, but as revelation. Byrd’s cowboys, guardians, and ancestral figures are not symbols of conquest, but of endurance, protection, and quiet power. They hover, fly, sit, watch, and wait—sometimes heroic, sometimes solemn—always human. These figures challenge dominant historical imagery by restoring dignity, vulnerability, and spiritual depth to Black bodies in spaces from which they were historically excluded.
Equally present in Byrd’s practice is a devotion to wellness, land, and inner life. A longtime vegan and daily walker, his creative process is informed by movement, gardening, healthy eating, and contemplative living. These rituals are not separate from the work; they are the work. His art reflects a belief that healing—personal and collective—is a creative act, and that beauty can be both resistance and prayer.
Visually, Byrd’s work balances the raw and the refined. Weathered flags, storm-filled skies, layered canvases, and soft pastels coexist with clean composition and modern restraint. His imagery often feels cinematic yet intimate, as if the viewer has stepped into a paused moment of history that is still breathing.
At its core, Gerald Byrd’s art is about presence—being seen, being whole, being unafraid to exist fully in one’s body, culture, and spirit. His work does not ask permission. It remembers, it honors, and it imagines forward.
Collections: National Monument Foundation, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Coca-Cola, Virginia Theological Seminary, Path Museum, Mason Fine Art, Millennium Gate Museum.
Cedric “CET” McNeal
Cedric “Cet” McNeal is an emerging, self taught artist who originates from the small town of Lockport, IL (35mi south of Chicago), and currently resides in Decatur, GA. Using mostly paper to depict abstract images, his shapes are playful, intentional, and tell a story. His 3-D work makes the canvas come to life and engages the observer. Cet is infused with inspiration from life experiences, spiritual enlightenment, social concerns, and conversations. Cet’s creativity is expansive, his work can be seen on t-shirts, greeting cards, posters and canvases.
JONAH CULVER AKA “MVTE”
Jonah Culver also known as MVTE, is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work merges elements of graffiti, realism, abstract expression and afrofuturism.
All of which became heavy influences and in turn created emotionally layered compositions. Driven by a deep and innate connection to art and music, his creative practice explores identity, imagination, movement, and expression through drawing, painting, and sound.
As a largely self-taught creator, Jonah has spent years refining a style that balances technical detail and his methods of storytelling. His work also reflects a broader artistic evolution rooted in authenticity and creative freedom.
TONY COPPAGE
Tony Coppage was born in Atlanta in 1955. From an early age, he was inspired by influential artists including James Hughes, George Mendes, and Ernie Barnes, whose works helped shape his developing artistic vision. Although he briefly attended Berea College, he left prior to entering the formal art program.
Coppage continued painting independently for several years before pausing his artistic practice to pursue a passion for outdoor leadership and youth development. Returning to painting in the late 1980s marked a pivotal turning point in his creative journey. During this period, he encountered the work of artists such as Jack Whitten, Jacob Lawrence, Henri Linton, and Kevin Cole, whose innovative approaches to narrative, abstraction, and cultural commentary deeply influenced his evolving style.
Working primarily in acrylic and mixed media, Coppage creates figurative works that challenge viewers to reflect on social realities and contemporary cultural issues. His paintings frequently function as visual conversations—provoking thought, dialogue, and introspection. He is currently developing an ongoing body of work examining the state of education in America through layered imagery and symbolic storytelling.
Coppage’s work has been collected by notable private collectors including Marc and Cynthia Huppert, Jessica Wesley, Bertram Pierce, Dr. Gwen Benson, LaJuana Wingo, Jetta Winkfield, Black Art in America, and James Jackson. His artwork has been exhibited at respected institutions and venues including Spelman College, Fulton County Arts Center, Sapelo Island Library, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, and ArtsXchange in Atlanta.