NYC mandated COVID-19 protocols will be place to view artwork inside THE VENUE gallery space located at 2284 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd New York NY 10030

BEHIND THE INK, an interactive, multi-disciplinary visual arts exhibit, will showcase impactful images of people from various races, cultures, ethnicity and age groups that will tell stories behind their tattoos. Born out of a student-led project launched over a decade ago, using photography, it explores similarities amongst various identity groups focuses on the diverse aspects of body ink (tattoos). The tattoo subjects in the pop-up show were shot entirely by Creating Exposure Through The Arts [a 501c3 non-profit organization] students and instructors.

The pop-up art exhibit will also feature visual artwork from New York based artists;

Laura R Gadson: Quilt, fiber and mixed media artist , explores and often blends the worlds of quilting, felting, painting, collage and more as a result of her love affair with textiles and paper and a variety of materials. She is a graduate of the renowned Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the City College of New York. Her work has been exhibited in many institutions and museums, reproduced as public art in her Harlem community, and is proudly part of various public and notable private collections include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Morris Jumel Mansion, Iyanla Vanzant and Susan Taylor.

Marienne Thomas, artistically known as YEN, is a visual artist/portraitist who is affiliated with the Collective Artist of Ethnic. Her work expresses all forms of beauty of the African American culture and diaspora as she seeks to capture love, freedom, purpose, strength and faith in her art.

Dennis "Denny Moe" Mitchell, a New York based photographer who's work has appeared in over 30 publications and he runs and manages Denny Moe's Media House in Harlem. In additional to his outstanding photography resume, Denny Moe is the owner of Denny Moe Barbershop in Harlem. Cutting hair since age 14, his skills earned him a reputation and his client list includes Mike Tyson, New Edition and Eddie Murphy. He also spent years touring with artists including Keith Sweat and Doug E. Fresh, before returning to Harlem to open Denny Moe's Barbershop. His shop has become a staple in the community for helping bring media attention to topics like health awareness, education and challenges of owning a business during a pandemic.

Accompanying the pop-up exhibit, our Behind The Ink creative team will be selectively capturing new images of subjects to begin developing the Behind The Ink – New York photo exhibit. Currently, notable faces include former Black Ink Crew reality star tattoo artist Dutchess Lattimore, former NBA Brooklyn Nets player Anthony Morrow and recently retired NFL Carolina Panthers Linebacker Thomas Davis. Creating Exposure Through The Arts partnered with local non-profit organization Harlem Needle Arts (https://harlemneedlearts.org/ ), Collective Artists of Ethnic (https://cafedinc.org/ ) and Denny Moe's Media House https://www.dennymoesmediahouse.com/) to showcase and feature several NYC artists during this show.