Meet Olivia Lauren, a girl who never thought sports were her thing until she decided to give swimming a try! At first, she was nervous, but something wonderful happened: Olivia discovered a brand-new passion. Dive into this inspiring story about trying new things, building confidence, and finding joy in unexpected places.

https://creativeartsworkshop.org/gallery/current/

Made Visible 2026 — “A Lion Speaks”

A Celebration of Black Artists

Curated by Shaunda Holloway
Presented by Creative Arts Workshop (CAW)

Exhibition Dates: February 1–March 12, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 pm
Location: Hilles Gallery, Creative Arts Workshop
80 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT
Admission: Free and open to the public

About the Exhibition

Creative Arts Workshop presents Made Visible 2026: A Lion Speaks, its annual Black History Month exhibition celebrating the work of Black artists and artists of African descent. Now in its eighth year, Made Visible reflects CAW’s ongoing commitment to equity, representation, and amplifying underrepresented voices through the visual arts.

Curated by Hamden-based artist, writer, and educator Shaunda Holloway, A Lion Speaks draws inspiration from the African proverb, “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” The exhibition centers self-authored narratives—honoring lived experience, cultural memory, and creative resistance.

As Holloway explains, “Telling our stories for ourselves, sharing our resistance in all its facets, and encouraging others to continue preserving our stories in spite of systemic erasure is what A Lion Speaks is about.”

The exhibition features work by 25 local and regional artists spanning painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mixed media, video, textiles, and fiber arts.

Participating Artists

A Lion Speaks features the work of 25 local and regional artists whose practices reflect deeply personal and politically resonant narratives. Together, these artists reclaim authorship and visibility, giving voice to stories that have too often been marginalized.

Creative Arts Workshop is honored to present work by:
Faustin Adeniran, Jean Benoit, Marquis Brantley Sr., Leigh Busby, Shari Caldwell-Young, Siobhan Carter-David, Robert Cooper Jr., Chelsea DeBerry, Ricardo de Paula, Demeree Douglas, Lydia Douglas, Kayla Hall, Iman Uqdah Hameen, David Jackson, Fethi Meghelli, Linda Mickens, Dana Monique, Rory D.L. Moorer, Aisha Nailah, Adeyinka Ogunlowo, Thelma Raney, Brandon Ricketts, Portia Scott-Thiam, Arvia Walker, and Reginald Woolery.

We are deeply grateful to these artists for sharing their work, their voices, and their visions with our community.

Free Public Workshop

As part of the exhibition’s public programming, Creative Arts Workshop will host a free, hands-on mixed-media workshop led by nationally recognized fiber artist Ed Johnetta Miller.

Saturday, March 14, 2026
Hilles Gallery, Creative Arts Workshop
Free and open to the public | All skill levels welcome

This community-based workshop invites participants to explore storytelling and creative expression through an improvisational approach. Working with fabric scraps and mixed materials, participants will create a small wall piece while engaging themes of self-authored narratives and cultural memory. No prior experience is required.

https://milfordarts.org