The Time Is Always Now x Mural Arts

shanina dionna (she/they) is a West Philadelphia-based visual and movement artist, certified Person-Centered Expressive Arts facilitator, and founder of the non-profit youth arts program, ARTbuds Philly. Beginning their journey in 2012 with a solo exhibition in Fishtown, shanina has since become a trusted mental health advocate, using the arts to help promote emotional and behavioral wellness in marginalized and underserved communities.

shanina’s diverse career spans painting, expressive movement, installation, photography, glasswork, metalwork, and filmmaking investigating their own mental health journey. Rooted in alignment, their intentional partnerships over the years have included the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Barnes Foundation, Penn Museum, the Philadelphia System of Care, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art; as well as national brands like LIFEWTR and universities including Moore College of Art & Design. In 2018, shanina was one of 20 artists worldwide to receive the inaugural Dean Collection 20 grant from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, and in 2023, became a Black Artist Fellow with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Recognized by Philadelphia Magazine for “creating a positive space for mental health conversations,” shanina holds a degree from Temple University and is currently pursuing a master's in Art Therapy & Counseling at Drexel University. Their painting entitled, "Wrinkle in Time" is now permanently installed at The Colored Girls Museum in Germantown.

In 2016, shanina founded the nonprofit, ARTbuds Philly, providing free art classes to youth aged 8 to 13 at the Urban Art Gallery. This program develops skills in drawing, painting, and mixed-media design. In 2021, shanina earned certification as a facilitator in Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy and now offers affordable healing sessions for teens and adults, especially those identifying as Black, Brown, and/or LGBTQ+. Their tuition-free pilot program, "Expressive Arts Healing,” is currently available for adults at Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. shanina’s advocacy through the arts bridges local wellness institutions, community-based programs, and marginalized communities through representation, partnerships, and creative expression. "Art helped save my life. I simply desire to pay that forward."

@shaninadionna
shaninadionna.com

Mikel Elam was born in Philadelphia. He attended the University of the Arts receiving his BFA in painting. He also attended the School of the Visual Arts in New York. He has been showing his paintings in numerous gallery spaces nationally and internationally for the last 25 years.

@mikelartist
www.mikel-elam.format.com

Akira Gordon (she/they), a Philadelphia-born painter and graduate of the University of the Arts, is a captivating artist driven by a passion for contemporary art and self-portraiture. Inspired by Kerry James Marshall and Sasha Gordon, she skillfully integrates her black experiences into her work, placing figures within evocative environments. In her current artistic endeavors, Akira delves deep into the realm of narrative storytelling, employing her figures as conduits to convey compelling tales. Her unique artistic voice is amplified by a rich and saturated color palette, imbuing her paintings with a mesmerizing vibrancy that captivates viewers and invites them into her narrative world. As a fellow of the 2023 Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists, Akira joined a cohort of distinguished creators, enriching her practice and contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape of Philadelphia. With accolades such as exhibitions at renowned venues like Icebox Project Space and Paradigm Gallery, she aims to attend global residencies and achieve gallery representation, leaving a lasting impression on the art world.

Akira hopes to give black people images that they can relate to in some way without making an overt political statement; instead, showing figures in leisure, doing the mundane and the ordinary. She finds the most authentic way to do this is through self-portraiture and referencing her experiences. She uses herself as a reference for her paintings because she believes examining your own life is important.

Her artworks delve into the complex emotions associated with her struggle to transition into adulthood while clinging to the familiarity of "childish" things. It's an introspective journey, an attempt to reconcile the inevitability of growing up with the desire to preserve the youthful spirit that continues to reside within her.

@okayakiii
www.akiragordon.com

Eustace Mamba [American, b. 1992 Queens, NY] is an artist and designer whose practice encompasses painting, collage, street photography, and mixed-media design installations. With a strong foundation from earning both his MFA and BFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Mamba's artworks have found homes in collections, including the Woodmere Art Museum, Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts./

Artist Statement:

My West Indian heritage and Manhattan upbringing are integral to my work. I strive to challenge colonial image norms, weaving threads of unity and societal dynamics within my creations. Like a scientist exploring uncharted territories, I aim to foster a more critical, holistic, and knowledge-based understanding of contemporary Black life. Through my art, I continuously delve into new dimensions within myself, sparking dialogue and reflection on the complexities of our modern world.

I utilize sewing as a means of storytelling, repurposing recycled materials to create compositions that evoke both turmoil and harmony. Skin, in my artwork, embodies the fluidity and ambiguity of identity; constantly evolving in response to the shifting landscapes of race, culture, and society. Through dialogue, reflection, and introspection, I invite viewers to join me on a journey of discovery, challenging perceptions, and expanding perspectives on the richness and diversity of this human experience.

@eustace.mamba
www.eustvce.com

Born in NYC, Alexsi Morales is a self-taught multimedia artist based out of Philadelphia. Alexsi's work is driven by their take on contemporary art, the beauty of life, the people around them, dealing with self-love in a constantly mediated space, and the multifaceted endeavor of connecting with each other. With graphite, pen, pastels, oils, acrylic paint and digital medium, Alexsi works on framing the images and faces they interact with and interpreting them in their own way. A blend of loose and gestural pencil work, sometimes combined with vibrant color, creates a dynamic mix of values. Playing between both abstraction and realism illustrates a freedom of choice and style that's true to him. Representing the many faces of beauty is an intrinsic quality to his work: born and raised in New York City, showcasing the diversity and chaos of the world translates over into how he emulates fragmented figures and faces.

@aiexsii
www.muyfranco.com