Canvas Institute
Art Exhibit Archive
Art of The Protest
Teresa Caliari
December 2019
Teresa Caliari was a NYC public school teacher for over 20 years and the mother of two. She had been involved in the Obama campaign since 2007. She helped raise awareness of the accomplishments of the Obama administration and registered voters. She represented Staten Island at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte and is a passionate activist. The Art of the Protest exhibit was made possible by a local art grant.
Divine Feminine Power in Our Daily Lives
ROsario lopez
december 2019
Rosario is an artist who creates inspiring works of art. She specializes in mixed media and paintings that portray female bodies while exploring the archetypes and goddesses of Caribbean women. Her artwork expresses her gendered experiences and the principles of female magic and power in which she has believed since childhood. Using paintings, sketches, and drawings, she creates realist, figurative, and abstract art that depicts color-coded schemes and messages she has received during interactions with a universe not indifferent to her existence. Rosario's upbringing was on the vibrant Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, in a communal environment surrounded by extended family and nature.
Masks 2 Artifacts
Bobby Digi Collection
November 2019
Bobby Digi is a social entrepreneur, community organizer, educator, and lecturer who has dedicated his life to strengthening and building communities at both the local and global level. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Nigerian descent and grew up in the multi-ethnic Clifton section of Park Hill/Stapleton, Staten Island. Throughout his life, Bobby has been driven by his passion for bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to find solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time. He leads by example, using his educational and professional experiences to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of leaders.
perspective of mothers
Kyoko heshiimu
september 2019
Kyoko Heshiimu is a Black American artist who uses various mediums, such as painting, drawing, video animation, poetry, and text, to explore issues of race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity. Her paintings have been showcased at various galleries in New York, including the Sixth Street Community Center, the Macy Art Gallery at Teachers College, Columbia University, St. John’s University, Art at Bay, Eastern District Gallery, and Art Lab. Kyoko is an educator and holds an MSEd from the College of Staten Island. She has authored and illustrated four children’s books and published four collections of poetry. Additionally, Kyoko's debut spoken-word album, "Color Story," will be released by Roughhouse Noise in 2020. Currently residing on Staten Island, Kyoko is known for her compelling art that challenges societal norms and highlights the complexities of human experiences.
Sound of Art Mane Sakic
May 2018
Mane Sakic is a talented Serbian-born artist whose work encompasses a variety of mediums including painting, mosaic, and sculpture. He is the son of the famous Serbian actress, singer, and writer, Olivera Katarina, and has gained recognition in his own right for his impressive artistic achievements.
One notable example of Mane Sakic's art is his mosaic work, which adorns one of the city center streets in Belgrade. The colorful and intricate mosaic depicts a lively and dynamic scene that captures the essence of the city and its people. Sakic's skillful use of color, texture, and pattern creates a vivid and engaging work of art that is both beautiful and meaningful.
In addition to his mosaic work, Mane Sakic's paintings have also garnered attention and acclaim. His paintings reside in The Museum of Cinematography and The Ministry of Culture in Belgrade, where they are admired for their skillful use of color, composition, and expression. Sakic's paintings often explore themes of identity, culture, and spirituality, and are known for their striking imagery and emotional impact.
Overall, Mane Sakic's art is a testament to his creativity, talent, and passion for the arts. His work is widely admired and respected both in Serbia and around the world, and he continues to inspire and influence artists and art lovers alike.
Bridges For Crossing Boundaries
Michael Hafftka
May 2018
Michael Hafftka is an American figurative expressionist painter living in New York City. His work is represented in the permanent collections of a number of museums, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Museum of Art, New York Public Library, McNay Art Museum, Housatonic Museum of Art, Arizona State University Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, and Yeshiva University Museum.
Baye Fall + Beyond
Laylah Amatullah Barryn
December 2017
Laylah Amatullah Barrayn is a highly accomplished documentary photographer who focuses on capturing the beauty and complexities of various communities and cultures. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Barrayn's work explores the social bonds and collective histories of marginalized groups, highlighting the rich and diverse stories that often go untold.
Her photography delves into a range of subjects, from documenting resistance movements in West African Sufism to exploring the complexities of queer identities among black women in New York City. Barrayn's work is characterized by a deep sense of empathy and compassion, as well as a keen eye for capturing the nuances of everyday life and the struggles and triumphs of her subjects.
Throughout her career, Barrayn has exhibited her work at numerous galleries and museums across the United States, including the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. She has also received numerous awards and fellowships for her work, including a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and a fellowship from the Magnum Foundation.
In addition to her photography, Barrayn is also a dedicated educator, teaching workshops and seminars on photography and visual storytelling to students of all ages. Through her work, Barrayn seeks to inspire others to embrace their own unique stories and celebrate the diversity and resilience of communities around the world.
9 Works
VinCe macdermot
November 2017
Vince MacDermot is a talented artist with a unique background in architecture. His artistic skills were developed at a young age under the tutelage of Anne Savage, a renowned Canadian painter. MacDermot's art is known for its geometric precision and incorporation of mathematical concepts. Born on June 14, 1957, in Montreal, he moved to the United States with his family in 1964. After completing his apprenticeships with architectural and engineering firms in Manhattan and Staten Island, he established himself as a sole practitioner in 1987. MacDermot's art has been featured on album and CD covers and exhibited at the Juno Gallery in lower Manhattan and the Canvas Institute in Staten Island. His work is also part of private collections.
ORISHA ART
Laolu Sebanjo
November 2016
Laolu Senbanjo is a Nigerian-born artist who grew up in Ilorin, Nigeria, with Yoruba parents. His father was a lawyer and his mother a nurse. Despite this, Senbanjo decided to pursue a career in the arts. In 2010, he quit his job as a lawyer and established the Laolu Senbanjo Art Gallery in Abuja, Nigeria, to showcase his works.
After several years of successful exhibitions, Senbanjo decided to take his art career to the next level by moving to Brooklyn, New York, in August 2013. Since then, he has become a prominent figure in the New York art scene, collaborating with major brands such as Nike, Beyoncé, and Kenneth Cole. Senbanjo's work is heavily influenced by his Yoruba heritage, and he often incorporates traditional Nigerian patterns and motifs into his art. He is also known for his body painting work, which has been featured in music videos and on runways. Overall, Senbanjo's journey from being a lawyer to becoming a successful artist is a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft.