The 2nd annual

The Arts

Linda Vauters Mickens

an Art Activist, was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1954. Linda is an African-American sculptor and collage artist who uses mostly recycled materials. Interested in art from her early years, she attended classes at the School of Fine and Industrial Arts in Newark, as well as Montclair State University. Mostly self-taught, Linda retired from a nursing career in 2020. Her recent exhibitions include Made Visible Freedom Dreams (CAW), Seven Lenses (SCSU), and Truth in Three Colors (Ely Center of Contemporary Art:). Her work is in the Permanent Collection of The River Road African-American Museum, Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Linda recently launched Godblesstheirsoles collection, aiming to honor the indestructible spirit and rich culture of black folks. The collection is a reminder the Angels are everywhere and the stranger sitting next to you could be hiding a magnificent pair of wings.

Susan Clinard

is an accomplished artist known for her exquisite sculptures and mixed-media artworks. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Clinard's artistic journey began at a young age, with a deep fascination for the natural world and its textures and forms. Clinard's artwork often reflects her profound connection with nature and her exploration of the human condition. She uses a variety of materials, including wood, clay, metal, and found objects, to create sculptures that evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity. Her works often feature intricate details and rich textures, showcasing her exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Clinard's artistic style is characterized by her ability to capture the delicate balance between fragility and strength, vulnerability and resilience. Her sculptures often convey a sense of emotional depth, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience. Throughout her career, Susan Clinard has exhibited her artwork in numerous galleries, museums, and public spaces, and her works have been collected by art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Her artistic talents, combined with her deep connection to nature and humanity, have made her a respected and beloved figure in the art world, and her artwork continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.

Shaunda Holloway (Sekai)

is a multimedia artist/curator and writer born in New Haven, CT. Her writing has been published in ESSENCE magazine, CT Post, Inner City, Stand Our Ground Poems for Trayvon Martin and Marissa Alexander and other publications. Holloway is a 2020 New Haven Arts Award recipient. Her paintings and prints have been exhibited throughout the east coast, including New Delhi, India.

Luciana Quagliato McClure

-Adjunct Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies @ UConn

-Adjunct Professor of First Year Seminar @ Quinnipiac University

-Adjunct Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies @ Quinnipiac University

-Adjunct Professor of Arts Administration and Cultural Advocacy @ Southern Connecticut State University

-Regional Coordinator @ The Feminist Art Project

-Founder & Organizer @ Nasty Women Connecticut

Gender Pronouns: she, her, they

Edward Jefferson

Edward was born in Chicago and relocated to Stamford, Connecticut, with his family when he was young. In 1983 Edward returned to Chicago and attended Chicago Vocational School, majoring in Commercial Art. Trained in etching, airbrushing, linoleum block printing, and sculpture. Edward settled in Hamden, this time accompanied by his “Windy City” sweetheart. Edward has exhibited throughout the country, including at the Essence Festival and Yale African American Cultural

House 40-Year celebration. Throughout his career, his work has invoked forms of beauty, musical blend, storytelling, and movement. Edward was the recipient of the State of CT Commission for the Arts and Cultural Development. Grant for four years for writing children’s books. Edward has aggressively tailored his craft with his recent collections, “The Silent Grace Collection,” “The Time Remembered Woodworking Collection,” “Future Belongs to our Children Collection,” “Infusion of the Soul Collection,” his new “By Land then By Sea Collection,” and “The Intimate Tiny Canvas Collection.” These more recent collections have a remarkably exciting and dynamic style that combines the breadth and diversity of passage with a simple dedication to people and movement.

Amira brown

Though born in New York, I have resided in the New Haven area for a majority of my life and started reading and drawing in my youth. With my family’s influence I was inspired to work and think outside of the box to achieve my goals, leading me to pursue art through self research until I could take college art classes as a teen. After receiving my BFA at Paier College of Art in 2016 I have been working and living in New Haven. I am an artist who uses their work to witness, and capture the various psychological subtleties that evade rational language. By layering various histories into the work while recording their own subtleties, they use various materials and substrates from their environment to document and map out these slippery underbellies with the work serving as a document and therefore a testament to these nuances.

Check weekly for updates on artists, performers, and more!

Our food truck menu offers robust and colorful Mediterranean dishes and Signature Wagyu burgers. Prepared with your health and wellness always in mind. We go beyond the salt with our complex layers of flavor!

Why do we offer Wagyu beef? Because it contains Omega 3 fats that support a healthy lifestyle and it's the highest quality most flavor packed beef on the market. We also have lots of vegan options including our grain and salad bowls bursting with flavor and plant based protein.

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Questions?

Karimah Mickens

973-222-3287

hamdenamplifythearts@gmail.com