Kina B. Joshua
Fiber, Mixed Media

My artistic journey is a celebration of the vibrant cultures that shape Louisiana, rooted deeply in the rhythms and resilience of my upbringing in the Lower 9th Ward. Growing up in a community where creativity thrived, I witnessed art seamlessly woven into daily life—a magical blend of elders’ wisdom and youthful imagination. My work reflects this spirit, serving as a vessel to interlace the stories of my family, my community, and this land with the organic beauty of nature. It is a living tribute to our traditions and heritage.

In my neighborhood, resourcefulness was an art form. I saw my community transform what was available into what was needed, an ingenuity that shaped my creative spirit. As a child, I crafted mud pies adorned with berries, gathered pecans from our yard, and collaged furniture with leaves, magazines, and fabric scraps. I was often captivated by the creativity surrounding me, from watching local artisans craft intricate beadwork to seeing my Mawmaw sew Sunday dresses. These moments of inspiration led me to create clothes for my dolls, blending vibrant fabrics and beads into unique designs. Sitting at my grandmother’s feet as she shared family stories, I not only developed a love for sewing but also gained the foundational skills that would later spark my leather crafting journey.

The lush surroundings of my environment became my muse, guiding my hands to blend colors, textures, and patterns into harmonious compositions. Every element in my work is thoughtfully chosen to echo Louisiana’s rich, diverse narrative. Influenced by the joyous energy of second lines and the bold colors that embody our celebrations. My creations transform collective history into wearable art that beats with the pulse of New Orleans culture.

Through my work, I invite others to experience a tactile and visual feast—a symphony of textures and stories that honors the past while imagining a bright future. It is a journey of storytelling, a celebration of resilience, and a vibrant ode to the enduring spirit of Louisiana.

Bria “BrioniClaire” Armstrong
Mixed Media

“I refer to myself as an orange moon. The moment where my tears falls onto my hand and all emotions are safely released-i can finally burn bright.” -BrioniClaire

Bria “BrioniClaire” Armstrong is a self taught multidisciplinary artist born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her primary creative practices are drawing and cultivating crops. Her work represents a voyage of memories and experiences shared through generations. She is continually learning how to alchemize grief and anger into power. 

BrioniClaire is an active member of The Louisiana Crafts Guild and is a graduate of the cultivation residency at Material Institute. She has exhibited work locally at Studio Be, and participated as Artist In Residence at Louisiana Children’s Museum. She designed up-cycle fashion for Nola Fashion Week Season 10.

Kay Richoux
Mixed Media, Painting

My goal is to create art that connects to the viewer using vivid colors, textures, and often words or objects embedded into each piece; compelling the viewer to engage not only their mind, but their body and soul.

Artist Biography:
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Kay considers herself a self-taught artist. She has been drawing, painting, and creating art since she was a child. In 2015, she retired from a 25-year career in nursing to create her art full time. In 2016, she began teaching art. In June of 2022, she opened her art school, Soul Art School, LLC, which offers: classes, workshops, women’s retreats, art/grief therapy and art camps for all ages. Soul Art School, LLC is also home to Kate’s Legacy Products, LLC, a candle, soap, and bath salt business. Kay launched Kate’s Legacy in November 2022, dedicated to the memory of her late daughter Kate. It specializes in hand made products using essential oils and essential oil blends.

Kay’s artwork has been featured in several juried, member, and solo exhibits throughout the US. Her work “Clydesdale” was featured in Art in Public Spaces in Watersound, Florida in 2021. In 2022, her “Saint of Strength” painting of Saint Joan of Arc was selected by the Joan of Arc Project in New Orleans, Louisiana for promotion of their events, which included a juried special exhibition at Ariodante Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana. In November 2023, the Hallmark movie, ” My Southern Family Christmas” debuted on television and featured several of Kay’s paintings.

Kay’s work can be found at Soul Art School and San Souci Gallery in Lafayette, Louisiana, The Blue Giraffe in Inlet Beach, Florida, and Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida.

Memberships include: LA Crafts Guild, Lafayette Art Association, Lafayettte, Louisiana, L’Acadien Art Guild, New Iberia, Louisiana, The Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi, Mississippi, The Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Rhode Island, The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and she is one of the Artists of 30A in Florida. Kay is a past board member, past-vice president, and past- president of the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, Louisiana. In recognition of her artistic contributions to the Joan of Arc Project, Kay was made an honorary member of the Krewe de Jeanne d’ Arc.

Linda Snider-Ward
Mixed Media, Jewelry

My handpainted-jewelry and small paintings are directly influenced by nature and my love of animals. I often collect natural objects on my walks in New Orleans. I also photograph animals, especially dogs and horses and these become the basis of my artwork.

My media includes watercolor, gouache, ink pen, and acrylic paint drawn and/or painted on paper, wood, or air-dried clay. I hope that my love of nature and animals comes through in each special piece that I create.

Bryant Benoit
Mixed Media

Bryant Benoit is a self-taught artist from Lafayette, LA, who began his journey into the art world in 2009.  He expresses his perception of the African Diaspora and his Culture through his work. He is a “Storyteller” and each painting tells a story.  He opened his first gallery in downtown Lafayette in 2013.  He continued to operate downtown until 2020.  In November 2021, Bryant opened a new gallery located in North Lafayette.

Bryant’s artwork has been featured in regional galleries and favored by art collectors around the world.  Bryant’s work is owned by clients & collectors both nationally and internationally.

Bryant has participated in multiple juried art shows and festivals around the USA, such as The New Orleans Jazz Fest, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, Bayou Boogaloo Cajun Food Festival & The Piedmont Park Arts Festival, just to name a few.  He was commissioned by Mrs Je’Nelle Chargois to create the 1st African American History Celebration Commemorative poster, Let Freedom Ring.  He has created a total of 3 commemorative posters for the foundation.  Byrant was commissioned to create the official Zydeco Extravaganza Commemorative Poster in 2018 &2019.   His painting, “Livin on the Land” was selected by the McComb Veazy Coterie to be displayed on an ArtBox, which is located on the corner of Pinhook and Surrey.  City of Youngsville purchased his piece titled, “Louisiana Sugar Mill” which hangs in the Youngsville City & Sports Complex.  His painting titled, Passin Tyme, is featured on Keith Frank’s CD cover The Resurrection of The Creole Connection.   He is currently collaborating on illustrating an upcoming children’s book.  His commissioned piece, “Bloodlines” was created for the local stage play based on the book by Earnest Gaines.

Bryant has been a participant on several speaking panels in Lafayette and has hosted several group and community discussions.   He was commissioned to create a commemorative poster for LCG’s Conversation Starters project titled, The Longest Table.   He has been featured in several magazines & newspapers.  Bryant works to promote art in the community and to inspire & encourage young and upcoming artist.

Dusty Reed
Mixed Media, Painting

Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Dusty Reed creates art that reflects the vibrant culture of this region. Known as “The Cajun Picasso,” the self taught artist has been creating art for the past 15 years as a professional artist by using a broad spectrum of visual art from paintings and sculptures to multi dimensional installations. Dusty is continuously discovering new mediums to use in his art work he has deemed as “Colk Art.” Methods used in his form of art are derived from the foundations and understandings of folk art while transcending those elements to contemporary settings and introducing cubist traits of multi faceted elements to tell his story.

Diane K. Baker
Mixed Media

As a student I was interested in many subjects: art, anthropology, psychology, biology but the urge to create led to a Painting and Commercial Art Degree at Mississippi State University. To make a living, I have worked as a graphic designer/ illustrator for various businesses and environmental agencies over the years. It was working with environmental scientists that kindled my interest in the natural world.” Birds, fish, leaves, trees, and animals often inhabit my work.

I love experimenting by painting papers with different art media. Colored sheets of paper are made by crumpling paper, painting it, stamping it, printing words, and drawing on it. Afterwards I take these papers and assemble 3-D collages, sort of like making a paper quilt.

Textures are added by using twisted papers, sewing, incorporating found objects, and pieces of impressed polymer clay. Like a quilt, the colors and textures often become the most important element. I have also begun to incorporate words to create a cultural sense of place. A strong influence was my mother, who sewed, and saved fabric scraps and made over 100 quilts in her lifetime.

Delana Rouse
Mixed Media

I am a self-taught mixed media artist.  Inspiration comes to me in found, repurposed objects through thrifting and treasures in nature.  The collected, chosen items begin to tell me where they are to go.  It takes on a life of its own, often surprising me.   Crafting is something that I have always done. Being a mixed media artist is something that my soul gradually came into.

“Whimsies from Within” was born a couple of years ago with inspiration from a friend. They are the first time my art has soul…  Each one has its own distinctive personality.   The Whimsies are coming from within my soul, which has gone through much healing and growing.  Hopefully, they will speak to other souls.

I currently have my blown-out-tire whimsies exclusively displayed at The Pink Alligator in Breaux Bridge.

Alecia Myers
Candles, Incense

It all started with a pink cat candle…. Alecia Myers is the owner/ operator of La Petite Bougie d’Acadiana that is nestled in the back roads of Youngsville, LA. Alecia has been working with wax since her mom taught her how to make candles in the 2nd grade. She was born in Lake Charles, LA but spent most of her childhood in Youngsville, LA. After a hiatus to Southern California from 1999-2015, she returned to her beloved home state and opened up her small candle business.  Alecia makes hand-poured soy candles, wax melts, incense, and various other smell goods for your home and cars. You can find her at ArtWalk, Festival Acadian, and other local events throughout the year. She currently has products in local stores such as Boho on Sunset and Bayou Art Co-op in Lafayette. 

Candace Roszelle
Mixed Media, Jewelry

I am a southern born and bred wife and mother.I have been interested in all kinds of art for as long as I can remember.For the last ten years beadwork has been my greatest passion. I hand-stitch gemstone and/or glass beads onto geniune leather pieces creating ART JEWERLY for the wrist.

My work reflects an evolving love of color and texture. Each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind.

I attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Nicholls State University and have been humbled to have won a few awards for my various forms of art work at these institutions. My family has and continues to support my love of creating and don’t seem to mind on the rare occasion of having cereal for dinner because I was so engrossed in a piece and time got away from me. I have a, to the bone, desire to create beautiful things, even if one one cares. If you need me I will be in my studio doing what I do.