Alzaruba's works stem from a diverse multicultural background having visited or lived in 37 nations. He has exhibited extensively, including in France, Italy and Asia and was twice awarded the Pollock Krasner Fellowship as well as serving as a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Seoul, Korea (2003-04). He taught visual art at MICA for two decades before retiring
Raven Ash (he/they) is a photographer, writer, and mixed media artist currently based in Baltimore, MD. His photography is informed by his studies and lived experiences of Blackness, queerness, trauma, disability, and other aspects of identity, additionally drawing inspiration from their rural upbringing involving the vibrancy and beauty of the natural world. He has self published a variety of zines utilizing a mixture of poetry, photography, and illustration.
Regie Cabico is a spoken word pioneer who won the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam. Mr. Cabico was a featured poet at the 2022 Whitney Biennial and received the 2006 Writers for Writers Award from Poets & Writers. Television credits include The Poet Speaks, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, TEDx & NPR’s Snap Judgement. He is a teaching artist at the Kennedy Center for the Arts and one of the inaugural recipients of the 2023 James Baldwin Fellowship from La Maison Baldwin, Paris, France. His work appears in over 50 anthologies, including Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Miriam Whitehead is a poet, motivational speaker, author, playwright, and producer who transforms personal experience into powerful advocacy. Diagnosed with HIV in 2000, she champions “Life After Diagnosis,” using her creative gifts to uplift those impacted by HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. Her works include My Mimi and HIV and Mind Over Matter, both soon to be released in audio and video formats. Through her podcast and talk show, The Person Across From Me, Miriam shares stories of resilience to inspire healing.
I am a writer who still loves to contact with the world of visual arts. I have been moving around Maryland through my years but have been residing in Carroll County for the past four and a half years.
Meg Eden Kuyatt received her MFA in creative writing from the University of Maryland College Park. She teaches creative writing courses and has taught at a range of places, including Anne Arundel Community College, Southern New Hampshire University online, University of Maryland College Park, MTSU Write, Eckleburg Workshops, and The Writer's Center in Bethesda since 2013.
Charles Lunn (c.l. lunn) is a non-speaking autistic artist and poet based in Bethesda, Maryland. Working through letterboard communication with the support of a trained communication partner, Charles crafts vivid abstract paintings and deeply expressive poetry—transforming silence into powerful artistic expression.
As early as she can remember, Teneil Brown has always been captivated by the magic of storytelling.
While rediscovering herself as a Mom she found the courage to publish her own tales. Teneil is passionate about helping children understand complex issues and teaching them about other cultures through her children's picture books. When she's not writing, or with her children, Teneil also loves to design beautiful planners and other stationery.
Born and raised in the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Teneil now resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Lisa R. Danaczko is a dynamic storyteller and engagement strategist. Her artistic practice examines creative placemaking with themes of belonging, collective memory, hidden connections, and respite in public spaces.