I was asked by Jahru and Julia, with Future History Now, to be the lead artist on this 20' x 16' mural for the Chesapeake Arts Center 20th Anniversary. It was a collaborative effort with the community, where they were able to vote and choose the quote for the mural, and we were able to get assistance from the students at Brooklyn Park Middle School students. This mural is designed to inspire the community to share and inspire people with their creativity.

    This mural is a portrait of Maya Angelou, from a Photograph by Michael Ochs, with a quote of hers: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights, activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books worth of essays, and several books of poetry, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. 

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     I have always loved working with Future History Now. FHN is a wonderful non-profit organization that brings together teaching and youth artists to provide a safe space to nurture creative thinking and self-expression for the youth of the greater Annapolis area. 

⁠    Thank you to the Chesapeake Arts Center for having me, Future History Now, for trusting me with leading this project, Greater Baybrook Alliance, and Arts Council of Anne Arundel Council for their generous support, the Brooklyn Park Middle School Students, and last but not least to the team that helped pull this off: Jahru, Julia Gibb, Nicole Caracia M.E. Macdonald, Kennedy Trusty, Stephanie Baker, Eric Birkin, and Erin Lynn.

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Please visit Future History Now to donate and learn about other youth projects. And visit the Chesapeake Arts Center to learn more about the programs they have to offer. ​

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Original photo: Michael Ochs

Design: The Artist Oliver James

Photography/Videography: Oliver James Studios, M.E. Macdonald

Photography: Nicole Caracia

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