Heart to Heart: A Conversation with the Artists of Eloquent Visions

There is no better time to celebrate the rich culture within the black community than now. Black History Month brings forth a multitude of opportunities to experience and learn from the black community. One of the best ways to express culture is through art. Eloquent Visions: Honoring the Rich Tapestry of Black Artistry is the newest exhibition in the Strand Center Gallery. The exhibition includes 7 artists that  are displaying their representation of black artistry. On opening night I had an amazing opportunity to sit down with 5 of the artists; Thomas Jerard Greene, Elizabeth Marques, William Ransom, Winosha Steele, Joel Tineo, Deanna Wolfe; and have a discussion about their art, background, and experiences as black artists. 

In 2015, Joel made the journey from New York City to attend school at SUNY Plattsburgh. Being surprised by the North Country, Joel found a way to blend his origins and new environment to influence his art. Joel has an experience that many SUNY Plattsburgh alumni share; being one of the many individuals who migrate up from New York City to Plattsburgh, searching for an education or even just a fresh start. There is an uncomfortable feeling that comes from being in a new place, especially somewhere as unique as Plattsburgh. 

 “Being from New York City, this [Plattsburgh] has been a weird place. It doesn’t seem like a place that belongs in New York.” - Joel Tineo 

Joel shared a perspective that the other artists shared, there is this growth of culture that comes with the migration of new and different people to Plattsburgh. Joel uses his upbringing from New York City, with the knowledge he has learned from Plattsburgh to push him further in his journey as an artist. This experience Joel has inspired him when creating his art.

“People come here and help it grow. Seeing that has definitely improved my work. I have taken what I brought from the city and taken what I have gotten from Plattsburgh and utilized it in my future.” - Joel Tineo 

Deanna “Dee” Wolfe is also a SUNY Plattsburgh alumni that shares this unique experience. Dee graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2018, she is a fellow city girl who fell in love with Plattsburgh for its natural beauty. 

“I just know I loved the grass and I loved the feeling I had when I came up.” -Deanna “Dee” Wolfe

The love Dee has for Plattsburgh is so apparent in the way she described her experience here. She detailed her feelings of freedom and being her total honest self when in this small town. She expressed this feeling of finding herself again in Plattsburgh and having a sense of pride in the arts community that has bloomed since she has graduated. Dee’s artwork reflects the format of a diary, showcasing the journey she has taken over the last 6 years since she has graduated. It holds themes of self-forgiveness and discovery, not just in her present life, but years to come. 

“The work is about coming back home to myself… Full of color. Full of experimenting. Full of joy.” Deanna “Dee” Wolfe

Thomas Jerard Greene takes pride in being unique, starting his journey in Plattsburgh as a traveling tattoo artist; traveling throughout the year to gain experience in a different setting. Thomas has set his work in the tattoo world apart from his art in the show. He has contributed the art in the show to a more natural side of himself, free from references and restrictions. He expressed the appreciation he had for it, citing it as the reason for him to get back into his art again. 

“This is my first art show since I was in 12th grade.” - Thomas Jerard Greene

Over the years Plattsburgh became more of a home for Thomas. Thomas contemplated moving from his home in New York City, finding a place for himself and his art somewhere new. Thomas found his place in Plattsburgh through his uniqueness. He noticed the demographic of tattoo artists in Plattsburgh and realized that he could bring something new to the area.   Acknowledging the difference in culture, he welcomed it and appreciated the unfamiliar experiences in Plattsburgh. 

“I met people who impressed me in different ways.” -Thomas Jerard Greene

Elizabeth Marques has a very different experience to many of the artists in the group. Elizabeth is a child of the “hippie days”, she grew up in New York City and graduated from High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. She spoke about the freefall atmosphere in her high school, and the intense flow of inspiration all throughout New York City during the 60’s and 70’s. She takes pride in her natural born gift in the arts and has been a creator ever since she was a toddler. 

“The life that flowed through the city in my era was intense.” -Elizabeth Marques

Elizabeth found her way to Plattsburgh after her service to the military, settling here with her children as she found the area safe. However, she found a lot of hate brewing in the community. The school her children went to had racial slurs written on the walls of bathroom stalls and on the back of classroom seats. The shock and hurt that came from this inspired Elizabeth to turn to the canvas. 

“My art is bold in your face on current events. I levitated during Covid… I used my emotional feelings on the canvas.” - Elizabeth Marques

There was a shared feeling amongst the artists in the group. They all felt gratitude toward Winosha Steele for bringing them into the fold of the art community in Plattsburgh. Winosha is the curator of Eloquent Visions and one of the artists in the show. The idea for Eloquent Visions came to Winosha as she searched for a way to uplift black artists during Black History Month. 

“She gave us a place at the Strand… she gave us the opportunity to say, we are black and we are proud.” - Elizabeth Marques 

Winosha is an alumna of the BFA program at SUNY Plattsburgh. She traces the root of her artwork to her parents and the support they have for her as an artist. She emphasized the growth her art has had through her own mental health struggles. Her pieces shine a light on internal and external struggles. She expressed a connection between her artwork and her heritage. 

Winosha is from a small island in the Caribbean called Antigua. She expresses so much pride for her island and the culture she was immersed in. Despite the challenges that come with being from a small island, Winosha expresses she is really blessed with the life she was given.  

“We are a small island, we are fighters… we fend for our country and we fend for ourselves.” - Winosha Steele 

Winosha’s art represents a different story within the black community. Her upbringing and experiences are quite different from the experiences of black people who grew up in the States. Winosha had the experience of growing up in a country that is majorly populated by black people. Winosha expressed how lucky she is to have both parents in her life and to be in a country where her culture is celebrated. 

“I don’t completely follow what you [the artists] mean when it comes to the black experience in the city or anywhere really.” - Winosha Steele

When speaking on race, many of the artists had similar, yet different experiences. Thomas expressed how he experienced racism both in New York City and Plattsburgh. He had the experience of having to turn down clients who wanted him to tattoo the Confederate flag on them. Elizabeth expressed the scary notion of racists being unafraid to be racists. 

“They will test our strength, especially this month.” - Elizabeth Marques

Throughout the black community we see a vast array of experiences and perspectives. The diaspora of black people is unique, inspiring so many artists within the community. There is a feeling of unity throughout the differences. A feeling of family. 

“All our experiences are so different. Blackness is so unique and so beautiful.” - Deanna “Dee” Wolfe

Eloquent Visions: A Tapestry of Black Artistry will be running through March 23rd in the Strand Center Gallery.