Peek at some of our Performing Artists
Khaiim
Khaiim the RapOet lectures on Creativity & Culture at Trinity, Yale, and other places where smart people go! Yet his fans prefer to catch him diving off stages, performing internationally with everyone from Pulitzer Prize poets like Alice Walker to Grammy-winning MCs like Common.
The RapOet, Self Suffice, is a popular host and poetic rap artist (MC), first booked by the legendary Eric Drooker (New Yorker Magazine) and Talib Kweli (#2 Billboard 200). After graduating from Stuyvesant (the most coveted of NYC’s 9 specialized high schools), amidst a growing buzz in Manhattan’s Underground Hip-Hop scene, he was offered a production deal with Def Jam, which he declined in favor of a scholarship to Trinity College. His insightful, positive, and energetic live shows have been booked by, and featured alongside, the most inspiring wordsmiths of our time, from Talib Kweli to KRS-ONE; from Jessica Care Moore to Alice Walker.
Frances A. Sharpe
Frances is an extraordinary jewel of the city of Hartford. A poet and playwright, she is a renaissance woman who genuinely cares about people and is an example of what we can achieve when no limits are put on our potential.
The Weaver High School 1986 graduate has four college degrees. Two are from Wesleyan University. There's a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a management degree from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford, doctorate work in public administration and public policy from Columbia University in New York.
Frederick Douglass Knowles II
Professor Frederick-Douglass Knowles II has been named Hartford’s First Poet Laureate. In this role, he will promote awareness and appreciation of poetry, spoken word, and writing in Hartford; and endeavor to instill pride in the community.
Knowles is an Associate Professor of English who has taught at Three Rivers for 11 years in the English and Communications Department. He also teaches classes at a local prison as part of the Three Rivers Community College Second Chance Pell Grant program. In addition to serving as the Three Rivers representative on CSCU’s Students First Consolidation Committee, he co-founded the Men Against Domestic Violence Artistic Expression annual event which consists of music, poetry readings and performances, and a live artist painting. Knowles also chairs the TRCC Community Involvement Committee.
Frederick-Douglass Knowles II is a poet, educator and activist involved in community education. He is the inaugural Poet Laureate for the City of Hartford. His collection of poetry,BlackRoseCity was featured at the 2018 Association of Writers & Writing Programs .
Featured "What is Color?" Visual Artists!
Andres Chapparo
Andres Chapparo
Andres Chapparo
“I work without premeditation simply following the path that each painting sets forth for me. Through my artwork, I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”
Andres Chaparro
Michelle Thomas
Andres Chapparo
Andres Chapparo
"Seize every precious teachable moment of every individual. Lavish upon them the tools of art exploration, saturated with empowerment for personal growth. Activate knowledge about self, others, and history that manifest contributions to the world in positive ways."
Joy Monroe
Andres Chapparo
Joy Monroe
"Joy of Life Art Creation focuses on the art of body paint. Through personalized body paint, sip, and paint nights, and body painting events...and have something for everyone to enjoy!"
Celebrating our Cultural Dance Artists
Tricia Johnson
She is now known as the Kizomba lady for her efforts to start the Kizomba Movement in Hartford led by her organization Kizomba Hartford Development Group and Studio Con Etiquette Kizomba Connecticut. Her artistic background includes radio deejaying, master of ceremonies, program directing, performance poetry, performing flutist, recording artist, videographer, film editing, advertising and web based promotions.
Musically, she was trained as a classical (baroque) flutist beginning at the age of 6. As an adult, she extended her classical training at the Hartford Conservatory in Hartford, Connecticut and studied Jazz under David Davis of Connecticut. Her performances range from ensemble recitals to private parties to summer stages and gospel festivals. Currently she is involved in studio recording projects related to the TriszilionFlute release of First Flows.
She enjoys hip hop, r&b, zouk, dubstep, sabar, baroque (Bach) and other genres of music.
In another side of life, Triszilion remains Tricia Jessica Johnson, Esq.
In 2006 Tricia Jessica Johnson left her post as a City of Hartford lawyer and has maintained a solo law practice in Connecticut since that time. Attorney Johnson graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1997 with a J.D. and earned a B.S. in Political Science/Sociology from Trinity College in 1991.
Presently Triszilion Mixed Art offers performances/appearances, consulting, writing, public relations, production and other artistic services
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Justin Hughes
JuS Move Studios is a multi-faceted entertainment company geared towards the training and education of young, new and current artists. We train dancers, singers, musicians, and actors and educate them on how the entertainment world works both from a professional point of view and a performance point of view. This is so they know how to maneuver and navigate in the industry as they grow further and deeper in their craft.
“I know I can help kids and train them properly and help them think beyond the small mindsets that hoard kids and don’t encourage them to expand or branch out for exposure to receive more”. ” Justin promises. “It’s why I do what I do.”
Justin Hughes states, “ My personal and that of Jus Moves Studios is: "To empower and bring forth the artist within you. To enlighten and educate adolescents and young adults through urban and contemporary art forms; giving them a creative and positive outlet, while demonstrating full comprehension in professional performance, building community relationships, creating multi-talented artists, while promoting the core values; Precision, Patience, Focus and mentorship!"
In a North End Agent Publication, ( 2017). Tiffany Jones states “Connecticut may be a small state but it’s brimming with a lot of creative minds champing at the bit to break out and show the world their raw talent and Bloomfield, CT native Justin Hughes is no exception” Stated in a North End Agent publication, by Tiffany Jones, 2017
Join our Contributing Community
Matthew Borrelli
Matthew Borrelli of Manchester is a longtime Connecticut educator, who has served as an interim superintendent of schools in Bloomfield, Waterbury, and Hartford school systems. He has served in administrative capacities in a number of districts including South Windsor, West Hartford, New Haven, and Hartford. Matthew Borrelli is an author as well, his first book, a Poemoir, titled “STANDING IN THE WAVES WAY,” is featured on our Race and Color blog site. JOIN MATTHEW AND OTHER GUEST WRITERS ON RACE AND COLOR.
