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Akoma Detroit Collective
Akoma Detroits' vision is to provide a space where Black Women Artists & Makers can come together, exhibit or teach art, discuss issues that are important to us and our community, create solutions and contribute to our city and community in a positive way.
For 2022, In partnership with Neighborhood Art School, we offer workshops where EVERYONE is welcome to participate, regardless of race, gender-identity, religion or any other characteristic.
MANDISA SMITH
I am a Felter. Felting is the most ancient of the fiber arts. I am intrigued by the transformation of wisps of wool into art that reflects my personal experiences, my cultural heritage and current conditions in our society.
Fiber is a language that speaks through touch and symbol. I come from a long line of quilters. And while I am not a quilter, I feel pulled to this work with fiber. I feel more connected to my ancestry when I am touching fiber and transforming it into something beautiful. It’s what my grandmothers and my great aunts did. I am compelled to do this work because I see the connection between their quilts and my felt. They used fabric that would have become “waste” to make art. I make art without creating any waste. When I felt, every little piece of fiber is used. Nothing is discarded. I believe I’m contributing to the betterment of Mother Earth because I’m not disposing of anything.
RASHAWN CAMPBELL
Rashawn Campbell is a visual artist, writer and mother from Detroit, Michigan. She has studied art since her teen years, including Commercial and Graphic Arts at Crockett Career Tech, Basic Drawing at Wayne State University and airbrushing at Center for Creative Studies.
Rashawn has experienced initial success following her first official gallery showing in December of 2015. Her art has since been exclusively on display at Detroit’s Sherwood Forest Art Gallery.
Rashawn’s artistry covers a wide range of mediums and many subjects from love and beauty to loss and sadness. Her art imitates the realities of life, but in bold, bright, eye-catching colors and breathtakingly intricate detail.
She is presently exploring the wonderful world of art through acrylic paint.
VICKIE HART
I am a Michigan artist, born and raised in Detroit. I began my artistic career early in life, exploring arts and crafts in grade school. Later, I attended Wayne County Community College as well as Center For Creative Studies, majoring in painting and drawing and interior design. My work is usually a study in nature: birds and flowers especially!
My mediums include watercolors, acrylics, oils and colored pencils. I have worked with plaster-of-Paris and with glass, creating mosaics and sculpted pieces on canvas and wood board!