When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declaring the abolishment of slavery in the confederate states, the executive order did not go into full effect until two and a half years later. The slaves of Galveston, Texas, an island city on the Gulf Coast, did not learn of their freedom until Union soldiers arrived and enforced emancipation on June 19th, 1865. This day is known as Juneteenth – a combination of the words “June” and “Nineteenth” – recognized as a federal holiday just one year ago. Juneteenth celebrations not only commemorate African American freedom in the United States but also help to honor those that continue to battle racial inequities in this country today. In observance of Juneteenth this year, SNIPES partnered with the award-winning animation studio Cartuna to shine the spotlight on four amazing artists living in communities that we serve and their original works highlighting the significance of this holiday for them.
Nazeer Sabree is a contemporary visual artist from West Philadelphia whose works depict the dichotomy of everyday life in Black culture. Shared cultural experiences, identity, personal narratives, and African American history are all notable themes in Sabree’s art.
An Atlanta, Georgia native currently living in New York, Kendall Bessent uses his photography to explore the beauty, strength, love, and happiness that are all a part of the Black experience. Bessent creates his art to instill self-love and confidence in others with Black and Brown faces. Bessent recently appeared in the 2022 class of Forbes 30 Under 30 due to his work with global media companies like Netflix, Google, and the New York Times.
A contemporary painter and digital artist from Dallas, Texas, Desireé Vaniecia uses her distinctive personal style to challenge societal stereotypes endured by Black women. Vaniecia creates thought-provoking pieces representing vulnerability, strength, and power that have been featured in exhibitions all over the state, including the most recent South by Southwest Festival.
Yolanda Hoskey a creative producer and photographer living in New York City, has a decade of experience working in the visual arts, film, digital media, and entertainment. Hoskey’s gift for storytelling comes to life in her freelance work as her photography is an unapologetic ode to melanin, challenging traditional social norms and putting use to the phrase “young, gifted, and black”.
Each of these talented artists created their pieces through their desired medium while incorporating one or all of the following SNIPES core company pillars: Support, Empower, and Celebrate. All the artworks were revealed at the Juneteenth Artist Spotlight on June 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Brooklyn, NY. We were beyond excited to publicize the work of these emerging Black artists and celebrate Juneteenth with an evening filled with food, drinks, and education through the lens of art. We can’t wait to showcase the finished works of the artists and hope that this Juneteenth celebration inspires others to support, empower, and celebrate those still seeking equal opportunity for all in America today. For the latest news and sneaker/streetwear releases, follow us on our Instagram, read up on our blog posts, and download the mobile app to stay up to date on everything SNIPES.
