Artists

Artists are at the core of our work at Hi-ARTS. What unites this diverse group is that they share similar aesthetics and ideas about the transformative power of art and the importance of community. Our goal is to continuously nurture this spirit at Hi-ARTS. From a creative and artistic perspective, our artists have made Hi-ARTS the organization that it is. Below is a sample list of artists we have recently worked with. Tap an artist's name to learn more about what they do, and hit the archive further down for a look at who else the organization has been involved with over the years.

SKY LAB, 2024 MJ Martinez SKY LAB, 2024 MJ Martinez

Najee Omar

Najee Omar (he/him) is an award-winning writer, performance artist, and organizer whose multi-disciplinary practice is rooted in cultivating spaces of healing and community building. Named a New York Times Visionary, Najee’s work invokes themes of home and love, specifically at the intersections of blackness and queerness.

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CRITICAL BREAKS, 2024 MJ Martinez CRITICAL BREAKS, 2024 MJ Martinez

Cheri L. Stokes

While in residence, Cheri will work on the development of Around the Way Gurl, a movement investigation that highlights and celebrates the cultural significance and the contributions of women in Bed-Stuy have made to Brooklyn and HipHop culture during the 1980s and 90s.

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CRITICAL BREAKS, 2024 MJ Martinez CRITICAL BREAKS, 2024 MJ Martinez

Curtis Turney

While in residence at Hi-ARTS, Curtis will continue the development of and addition of choreography to Homenaje a los Rumberos. Homenaje a los Rumberos is an original music composition that pays homage to the rich legacy of traditional Afro-Cuban Rumberos and serves as a heartfelt tribute to Rumbero's living and past.

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SKY LAB, 2024 MJ Martinez SKY LAB, 2024 MJ Martinez

Jourdan Ash

Jourdan Ash (she/her) is a New York creative who works via her online platform True To Us, to center Black and Brown womxn as the foundation of the streetwear and sneaker industry. Jourdan uses her creative practice to bridge the gap between consumers and brands while opening the doors for those seeking a variety of opportunities within the streetwear and sneaker industry.

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