Alexzandria Robin

@itsalexzandria

Alexzandria is a self-taught artist based in Connecticut who blends digital and traditional mediums to explore themes of identity, memory, and futurism. Drawing from her ancestral heritage in doll-making and storytelling, she challenges conventional narratives and reimagines the roles of race, gender, and history in miniature scale. Her award winning work has been featured in numerous galleries in CT, NY, and CA.


Tracie Cheng

@traciecheng

Tracie is a Taiwanese American artist weaving lines and paint into dynamic visual dreamscapes. Resembling nature, fractals, patterns and forms, her paintings are inspired by all the incredible and regular things that surround us. The lines undulate in and out of visibility and reality while the paint provides shelter and contrast, allowing the paintings to be playful, familiar, yet challenging to our imaginations. It prompts curiosity and assurance; an invitation into wonder and a hope for possibility in the intangible. Tracie's work is meant to be a reflection of life's textured complexities, giving voice to her ever-evolving relationship with faith, culture, ethnicity, and narrative. Tracie attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a degree in architecture. After several years of architectural work, her desire to shape environments shifted to the visual arts. Her artistic style channels aspects of Chinese brush painting, abstraction, with some architectural sensibilities sprinkled throughout, continually shaped by the beauty and intricacies of the different cultures around her. Tracie has shown her work at galleries in Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, and Shanghai. One of her first major projects was a series of paintings for Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and her paintings are now in public and private collections all over the world. Tracie finds joy navigating this artist life alongside her 2 sons and sculptor husband, Eóin Burke, in Connecticut. You can see more of her work on Instagram @traciecheng.

Eoin Burke

@eoinpatrickburke

Eóin Burke is a contemporary American artist whose work is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, focusing on mindfulness and sacredness in our lives. Artistically influenced by a range of sources including Alberto Giacometti, Edgar Degas, Martha Graham, Paul Cézanne and classical Greek sculpture, Burke builds up gestural figures and portraits in epoxy clay over paper, wood, and linen. He is excited by new technology’s ability to reimagine ancient art forms, utilizing synthetic materials and exploring 3-D printing. Originally confined to the hard surfaces of stone or wood, Burke now brings in the softness and intimacy of epoxy clay and paper in order to highlight the fragility and beauty of people. He received his MFA from Yale University in New Haven, CT and his BFA from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Notable shows include A-ONE (Silvermine Galleries, New Canaan); The Mill St. Show (New Haven); Ineffable Manifestations (Yale Institute of Sacred Music); The Open (Deitch Projects, Long Island City); Figure 8 (Artspace, New Haven). Burke’s sculptures are in public and private collections throughout the country. He recently completed a series of figures for the non-profit Peace Right Here, a depiction of twelve spiritual practices toward personal and communal peace, and was commissioned to create a large meditative work for the Wellness Space at CT Innovations. He lives and works in New Haven, CT.

Karissa Van Tassel

@karissavantassel

As a portrait and headshot photographer I believe photographs have the power to connect us- to our friends & family, of course, but also to our pasts, our futures & the world around us. I have studied photography for nearly 20 years now and know that photographs are ultimately stories. I work with my clients to determine which stories they want to capture and how best to do that. Ultimately, whether it's a portrait we took in the studio or a snapshot you captured on your phone, the photographs all come together to tell the story of you life.

Abbygail Cadet

@kingjulienxiv

I am a 2D artist and animator. I have been drawing traditionally since I was 2 years old and I started drawing digitally 3 years ago. I enjoy drawing people and folklore creatures like trolls, giants, fairies etc. I also am interested in comic books.

Tae Fetty

@taefetty

Tae Fetty is a multi-talented artist whose unique blend of musical ability, creativity, and passion has set him apart as one of the most exciting and versatile figures in modern music. Known for his breathtaking performances and boundless energy, Tae is a true powerhouse, playing 11 instruments, producing, writing, engineering, rapping, and singing all of his own material. His sound blends a rich mix of genres, while his artistic vision consistently pushes the boundaries of music and performance. Tae's collaborative spirit has led him to work with some of the industry's biggest names, including Grammy Award-winning songwriters such as MizzyLott, Randy Class, John Concepcion and More. These high-profile collaborations have further solidified his place as a rising force in the entertainment world. Tae’s ability to seamlessly fuse different musical elements with his own distinct voice sets him apart from the crowd. Beyond his music, Tae's fashion sense has garnered attention, with a style that blends eccentric streetwear with high fashion, earning him a reputation as a fashion guru in the music industry. His bold looks and trendsetting style have made him a standout both on and off stage. A passionate advocate for children, Tae is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He has hosted multiple toy drives, fundraising performances, in school support and clothing drives. He dedicates much of his time to mentoring young people, providing resources and support for those in need, and using his platform to inspire the next generation of artists and dreamers. With a heart that beats for his craft, Tae Fetty’s determination to be the greatest artist to ever live drives him to continuously evolve, push the envelope, and leave an indelible mark on the world. His commitment to excellence and his unwavering drive to succeed make him a force to be reckoned with, both in music and beyond.

Kevin Walton Jr

@k_dub203

Kevin ‘K. Dub’ Walton Jr. is a Hip hop artist. The New Haven native has been writing music since 2009 and co-founded Elm City Records, LLC in 2020.

Ryan Mccrea

@djrnice

Dj , Entrepreneur, Owner of Brie Naturals born & raised in New Haven Ct the city of many races and many genres of music .Growing up around many influential people and cultures my passion for wanting to see people enjoy themselves in a way that would be most memorable would be my ultimate goal . Ive had the opportunity in displaying my craft live on one of Connecticuts biggest radio station "Hot 93.7 Fm ", Toads Place, and many more historic venues surrounding the tri state area including local achievements such as Citation presented from New Haven board of Elders for my Community Service work and more my goal is to continue growing my craft & brand and to also meet and network with more music lovers such as myself .

Sun Queen

@sunqueen

Activism: Sun Queen is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter New Haven, established in 2015. BLMNH's mission is to demonstrate integrity through educating individuals of all ages, increasing people’s knowledge of law and one’s individual rights. BLMNH’s goals are solely to inspire and empower the Community through Advocacy, Education, and Community Service, in order to create long-lasting solutions to social problems. BLMNH envisions reforming our community, emphasizing accountability, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the community. This focus allows BLMNH to recognize the strength of our community and encourage education and inclusion on community matters to promote change and growth. Sun Queen is engaged with the New Haven community, identifying needs such as a back-to-school program. For the past 5 years, Sun Queen has organized an annual Back to School Drive in which thousands of fully loaded backpacks are provided to local children. Because of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness, BLMNH concurrently initiated a winter supplies and coat drive. Sun is regularly in the community, organizing nonviolent marches, rallies, protests, as well as fundraising campaigns geared at empowering and educating the young and older community of their rights. Poetry: Sun is a poet, an artist, and an inspirational messenger. Sun Queen published her first poetry collection in a book entitled “It Happened Within The Sun” (2019). Her work has been described as “beautifully capturing with divine insight.” Sun walks through her life being nothing but pure and true to her authentic self. Through her passion and love for advocacy and guidance, she plans to encourage others, especially Black women, be able to share their stories. Sun continues to be invited to read her works at spaces that empower Black women, Black liberation, schools, and other venues that prioritize racial and social justice. Entrepreneurship: “Black Girls are Sunshine™️” is Sun’s trademarked brand, appearing on apparel, bags, aprons, and bottle bags. Sun developed this brand to remind Black women and girls—who are so often disrespected, dehumanized, and erased from conversations, history, and spaces— that they are special, unique, and have a special light within them. Recognition and Features: Featured in Nasty Women CT’s exhibit “Complicit: Erasure of the Body” and the #metoo testimonials Project Highlighted for Black History Mont for Women of Color by the Views from the Struggle Guest Speaker for Bereavement Care Network, Inc. 7th Peace March and Rally Guest Speaker for Black Women’s March in Houston, Texas Featured Poet for Elm City Lit Fest (2020) New Haven Register Philadelphia Inquirer Arts Council Paper New Haven Independent Yale Daily News Hartford Courant Pittsburgh Post Gazette Sun Queen’s vision is to create a safe and vibrant space that will bring truth to power and allow her to also interconnect the roots to the problem that we as individuals may use as nourishment in our lives in order to be able to manifest our freedom. Sun’s goal is to create a space where Women of Color will able to go and build confidence, all while focusing on personal wellness. Her wishes for the people in her Community are to be open to healing and to understand trauma and self-love. She fully believes this will be a step towards liberation, and becoming intimate with your true infinite self. Sun believes that with togetherness a strong community support system can be achieved.