Celebrating Black History Month with Portraits

Happy Black History Month from Hill Center!

This Sunday, February 6 2022, our longtime Program Partner EAST (Eastern Market Art Series and Teachings Workshop), will be hosting a Black History Month Portraits workshop with Edmond Wilson. This is Edmond’s first partnership with EAST and Hill Center. Edmond’s work focuses on famous historical figures such as Frederick Douglas, Jimi Hendrix, Tupak Shakur, and Billie Holiday to bring to life the art of portraiture and celebrate Black history. In observance of Black History Month, the kids will use these figures as inspiration to create their own portraits.

“My advice for young artists is to embrace themselves as an artist. Practice your craft any and everywhere you can. Draw on any material. Paper bags, pizza boxes, mail, or cardboard. Just do it.”

-Edmond Wilson

About Edmond Wilson:

Edmond’s motto is “if it can hold paint, I can do it”
Edmond was an artist for as long as he could remember, born and raised in New Jersey, Edmond started drawing and painting on the vinyl shades that covered his bedroom windows. His art started to develop in middle school when his art teacher introduced watercolor and acrylic paints. He attended the School of Visual Arts and after a 30-year hiatus from canvas painting, a gift of brushes from his mom rekindled his love for it. Today, he is a full time Artist working on all types of projects, from paper to clothing to football field logos and large scale murals working in his studio in Elkridge, Maryland. You can visit his Instagram page @edmond_russell_arts.

Edmond’s Inspiration & Advice to Aspiring Artists:

“How would you describe your art in 5 words?”

Wilson: “Bold, bright, emotional, fun, and personal”

“When or where does inspiration usually strike you?”

Wilson: “Inspiration strikes either through current events or reflection of childhood”

“What advice do you have for young artists?”

Wilson: “My advice for young artists is to embrace themselves as an artist. Practice your craft any and everywhere you can. Draw on any material. Paper bags, pizza boxes, mail, or cardboard. Just do it.”

See more of Edmond’s art at his website and artist profile. To register for his upcoming workshop click here. There are only a few spots left!

The Eastern Market Art Series & Teachings – EAST – is an ongoing series that brings artists and children (between 6 and 10 years old) together to explore a different craft or medium each month. Each workshop has volunteer opportunities for youth & teens (11 years old and up) to help support the workshop. Please contact hillcentereast@gmail.com for more information.

Our program is made possible by the Near Southeast Community Partners and the CSX Mitigation Fund as well as the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.