July 5, 2023 – August 31, 2023
Art Opening Reception: Friday, July 7, 2023 / 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ 9 Vassar Street
The artistry of the Parker-Benjamin family will be on display in a diverse and visually engaging group exhibit.
Onaje Benjamin, whose career spans five decades, is a natural creative serving as a community activist committed to social justice and human rights. In 2022, he was awarded a Creatives Build New York Guaranteed Income Award and in March of 2023 completed the Participatory Photography Training offered by PhotoVoice (London, England). He was also the first recipient of the Leilani Claire Outstanding Achievement in Photography awarded by the Woodstock Artist Association and Museum. Onaje is currently the Artistic Director of Ujamaa Studios located at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center and displays his work extensively as well as designs custom picture frames. Ujamaa Studios
Band of Brothers by Onaje Benjamin
Shirley Parker-Benjamin is an interdisciplinary artist creating work across the genres of sculptural mixed media, assemblage, and installation. She explores the intersection between ancestral, spiritual, and metaphysical African/African Diasporic traditions and the feminine integrating found objects, natural materials, metals, minerals beadwork and fiber to convey her ideas. Shirley’s work has been exhibited regionally and internationally and her studio, Ezili Arts, is located at the Cunneen Hackett Arts Center. Ezili Arts
Artwork by Shirley Parker-Benjamin
Omar Parker is a photographer based in Queens, New York who captures urban life’s essence through a lens. For 30 years, he has been drawn to all aspects of the urban environment—from graffiti’s vibrant expression to the interplay of people on the streets, including himself. “I document the raw energy and hidden beauty, seeking to immortalize the transient art of graffiti and the intricate stories behind human interactions,” comments Omar. “Through composition and timing, I aim to evoke emotions, challenge perceptions, and reveal the allure of urban life. Join me as we uncover the captivating narratives that shape our urban world.”
Photo by Omar Parker