Final Friday Art Show is an held every final Friday of the month at S|L Photograohy Studio in East Falls. The show features a new artist each month. Each artist will be showcasing and selling their works. The artist will also share their story and the inspiration behind their art. There will be wine, spoken word, music, and other artist with works showcased.
This Months Featured Artist
Malik Jones
Instagram:@medanartistry
Malik Jones is a Philadelphia born and raised artist who recently rediscovered his penchant for fine arts. An avid athlete, Malik put down the pencils and brushes in exchange for the football not realizing his true calling was the former. A graduate of Bloomsburg University, Malik minored in Art Studio with a concentration in drawing, but pursued the field of social services upon graduation. In 2012, during a bout with heartache and depression, Malik finally decided to live life on his terms and began making random wood craftings. This process began the snowball effect which culminated into him attempting various forms of art, as Malik decided to try his hand at as many disciplines as possible in a journey to explore his creative and expressive limitations. He found that his art knew no bounds as he picked up skill after skill after skill... Researching and teaching himself along the way. Malik began teaching free art classes weekly at a local recreation center in an effort to share his gifts. His skills range from photography and video production to painting, drawing and sculpting. Attributing his knack for learning new things so quickly to science and math, Malik has become an advocate for higher education to youth and correlating the direct connection between Arts and the use of numeric value. The son of a revolutionary father who has close ties to the MOVE organization in Philadelphia, Malik was exposed to cultural ingenuity which fuels his expressive spirit and provides a catalyst for using his art as a means to uplift and support his African American Heritage and Community. When not creating, Malik enjoys coaching football and exposing athletes to the notion that it is okay to be tough and expressive interchangeably. A sentiment that resonates on the High School and Youth Team that Malik volunteers his time. On the contrary, Malik also has an affinity for theater and musical productions. He can easily be found evaluating football film, while listening to the soundtrack of the hit Broadway play Hamilton singing the entire production word for word. An anomaly that puzzles even Malik, but he would have it no other way.
Baron Brooks: Street and Portrait Photographer.
Baron's early career - 25 years in Information Technology Sales. He started shooting his Daughter's College Basketball games and events. He developed a passion for Photography as an Art Form. Today you can find Baron on the streets of Manhattan and other parts of the country seeking to find peace and solace by creating Images through Photography.
Spoken Word Artist
Relle ( Pronounced Rell)
An indie filmmaker and poet born and raised in Philadelphia. Relle found his love for the arts and culture at a young age tagging along with his brother to attend YOACAP meetings and plays. Rell has been writing since the age of 9. In 2007 he attended a HBCU in South Carolina where he found his love for doing spoken word poetry. A man of faith he uses his work entertain, educate, edify, and inspires others.
Myra Brown
Myra Brown also known as "Simply Myra-ann" is a native of Philadelphia. She is a graduate from Eastern University and is currently a social worker in the city of Philadelphia. She also serves on the broad of two non-profits (Iron Sharpens Iron & On the Right Track). Myra has been writing poetry and performing spoken word since the age of 8. She is currently working on a poetry book entitled " Coming Out of A Dark Place". Myra first found her love for writing when she was in foster care and adopted at a young age. Her goal is to tell her story and the story of others through her writing.
Bee Maverick
Bee Maverick is an “Uptown” Philadelphia native with a zeal and passion for the performing arts. She has been writing and performing spoken word as well as singing and acting since middle school. After taking a hiatus from writing for several years, Bee has returned to the scene with renewed fervor and thought provoking material. Her works span the range of politics and romance to random streams of thought. With a family oriented spirit, Bee aspires to bring creative people together through love and art. A pacifist by nature, her purpose is to spread peace and tolerance via the art of written and spoken word.
Photographer/ Artist Dakota-Michael Pittman
I am names Michael Pittman, Jr but you can call me Dakotax or Michael. I am a 24 year old Entrepreneur and art lover. Art has allowed me to find my purpose, connect with some dope minds, and grow as a human being.
It all started with my dad giving me one of his cameras during my senior year of High school. From there I went on to attend Hampton University where I eventually graduated after a stressful, yet memory filled 4 years. The arts found its way to me in many forms there and has yet to leave me. My roommate/brother, business partner and fellow multimedia artist Taj was one of the first to silently push me in the direction. There is also my love of nature and Black Women. Art. Like damn. Not just the physical, many of my ideas have come from conversations with the women in my life. It's an appreciation really. Lastly is my new love for self education and arts massive cultural history.
After being fired in May, I vowed to put my all into investing in my future. Like they say, life imitates art. I am here to create what I want, share my thoughts, and engage in yours. Through photography, graphic design, my love for the written arts, and other creative skills I've amassed, I present my mind-work as Dakotax Michael.
Peace & love.
P.S Ask me about Art(is) For Kids!
Dakota | Michael Pittman, Jr.
