Dereck Stafford Mangus is a Baltimore-based artist and writer. He currently works at the Baltimore Museum of Art, where he is regularly inspired by the permanent collections and special exhibitions. His review, “Jack Whitten, ‘Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963–2017,’” was selected as the winner of the Frieze Writer’s Prize in 2018. Mangus finds inspiration in the built environment, which informs his artwork and writing.
Joshua Littlefield (b. 1995) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator working primarily in the contexts of photography, collage, and installation. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, he obtained his B.F.A in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2017, and his M.F.A in Photography and Electronic Media from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2020. He is currently based in Baltimore, Maryland, and serves as an adjunct professor at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland, where he teaches Fundamentals of Design courses.
Artist Bio for Lea Craigie-Marshall Born in Falls Church, Va in 1976, self-taught, contemporary artist Lea showed talent from an early age. An natural creative spirit, she spent time taking private art lessons with her mother at home as well as in the mountains of scenic West Virginia with her grandmother, both artists. These strong female influences helped mold and inspire Lea to be the dynamic, multifaceted, feminist artist she is today.
Tyler Yvette Wilson is a multidisciplinary artist who primarily works with text, photography, and video. She blends children’s motifs, autobiographical, current, and historical narratives to discuss the aftershock of colonialism and the troubling foundations that underlie most of Western society. Tyler was raised in Austin, TX and Atlanta, GA. She studied at Davidson College from 2010 to 2016. After graduating with a B.A. in Studio Art, she attended Oglethorpe University for post-baccalaureate studies. In 2020, she earned her M.F.A.
Tara Youngborg is a Maryland-based artist, educator, curator, and arts administrator. She has a B.A. in Art and Art History from St Mary's College of Maryland an MFA in Studio Art from Towson University. Her work uses digital media to create immersive video and audio installations that explore place, memory, and technology. She is also the manager of the Stamp Gallery at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she directs the exhibition programming and advises the Contemporary Art Purchase Program.
Beth Caruso works in a variety of media. Much of her artwork depicts aspects of the self and the body in relation to nature. The imagery in Beth’s artwork is bold and puzzling, as it prompts the viewer to continuously re-examine their perceptions in an effort to make meaning.
Summer Blake is a visionary artist specializing in mandalas, sacred geometry, and archetypal symbolism. For Summer, making art is a meditative act, providing a crucial opportunity to engage in the exploration of her own consciousness through deep introspection.
Creating art is also a deeply healing process for Summer, and one that has changed her life in a multitude of ways. By sharing her art, and encouraging others to express themselves creatively, Summer seeks to inspire others toward transformation and self-realization in their own lives.
Sabrina Mandell is the founding Artistic co-Director and Visionary Tornado of Happenstance Theater. She has written, produced and performed prolifically since the company was established in 2006. She was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in 2017. As the company's Executive Director she has created and maintained a sustainable structure for operating the organization, and as the costume designer she has won two Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Costume Design. Sabrina performed for 10 years with the Big Apple Circus’ Clown Care Program in DC and Baltimore.
CeroMundo aka Estevan Palasquesea aka Cero aka Tio Chévere
Emcee, DJ, Visual Artist, Entrepreneur
“This MC is a joy to work with because of the skill level he possesses along with his uncanny skill of being able to write dope lyrics right on the spot. If he lived in NY or California he would be slamming the airwaves with top notch Latin Hip-Hop..no doubt in my mind”
– Mellow Man Ace (Godfather of Latin Rap, Cypress Hill)