We are honored to have a distinguished panel of jurors for this year's Artists & Afros exhibition, each bringing a wealth of expertise and a deep appreciation for Black artistic expression. Their combined experience in art, culture, and community ensures a thoughtful and insightful selection process that celebrates the diverse talents showcased within our vibrant community.

Ed Hamilton 

Award winning, nationally renowned sculptor, whose body of work includes the Joe Louis sculpture in Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI The Booker T. Washington Monument at Hampton University, Hampton, VA and The Spirit of Freedom, Civil War Monument in Washington, DC (the first public sculpture in the nation's capital created by an African American.

Andre' Kimo Guess, President & CEO, Fund for the Arts (FFTA) He notably served as the Vice President and Producer of Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in New York City and as President and CEO of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh. He has also owned and operated his management consulting firm, GuessWorks, Inc., for over 14 years.

Cathy Smith Shannon, Chief Curator and Co-owner of E&S Gallery, Inc, the largest Black owned framing gallery in the U.S. Master of Arts and Art History with a concentration in Critical and Curatorial Studies

Susan L. Taylor is an American editor, writer, and journalist. Taylor started at Essence magazine as a freelance beauty editor when it launched in 1970. She moved on to Fashion & Beauty Editor and finally Editor-in-Chief in 1981. In 1994, American Libraries referred to Taylor as "the most influential Black woman in journalism today".

The Norton Sports & Learning Complex is partnering with OKIKE for our second annual Artists & Afros art exhibition. We are looking for innovative fine artists to exhibit their work. Our inaugural 2024 event welcomed more than 1,000 guests and our 30 exhibiting artists earned a collective $100,000. This year’s event will be juried.

The Artists & Afros team seeks artists to display their work for a group exhibition celebrating Black creatives. Artist(s) retain the rights to their work and give permission for Artists & Afros to photograph and otherwise record their work. This means that the image itself is the intellectual property of the artist(s), who can freely promote, sell, and license the work. Artists & Afros is a fine arts exhibition. We do not accept AI-generated art.

Eligibility: The competition is open to emerging and established artists over the age of 18 at time of submission. We accept submissions from individuals or collectives. If selected, the commissioned artist(s) will be required to sign an artist agreement.

Notable details:
● Artists are given creative freedom as long as the work is family friendly.
● A display table and up to two chairs will be provided for selected artists.
● Artists will handle their own payments. Be advised that our team cannot assist with payments and cannot provide change.
● Artists keep 100% of their profits
● This event is free for guests to attend
● We do not accept AI-generated art
● Sculpture: Sculptures must be independently stable and ready for display.
● All 2-D works must be framed (unless presented on canvas with wrapped sides or metal). All 2-D works must be wired for hanging. Sawtooth hangers are not accepted.
● Labeling: Each artwork must be clearly labeled on the back with the following information
● Kentucky law requires collection of a 6% sales tax on all sales. We require that all artists operate within the legal guidelines of the Kentucky Department of Revenue and any other applicable legislation/regulations.
● Artists & Afros will work with experienced security professionals. Be advised that artists are still responsible for their own property. We cannot store, watch, or hold any of your personal items. Each artist must obtain their general liability insurance–we will confirm this before the event. Artists will be asked to sign a waiver.

BOOTH DETAILS
● Sizes
○ 10x10 Booth: $350
○ 10x20 Booth: $600
○ 10x40 Booth: $900

● Booth fee deadline: Booth fees must be paid online through our payment portal by 15 June 2025 – NO EXCEPTIONS.
● After you’ve been invited to exhibit with Artists & Afros, your booth space is only finalized upon invitation and booth fee payment. Booth fees are non-refundable.

DIRECTIONS

Venue Address: 3029 Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, KY 40203

The Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center is located just 15 minutes from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and easily accessible from I-264, I-64, and downtown Louisville.

We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors for making this year’s Artist and Afros 2025 a success. Their support helps us bring our vision to life and create unforgettable experiences for our community.

We couldn’t have done it without you.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the organizations that helped make it all possible: