Forging Black Joy

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St. Louis, MO
Forging Black Joy

Initiative to reestablish North County St. Louis as an arts district and create a platform for local emerging artists.

05/03/2026

EVENTS!!

ARTIST SOCIAL
FREE | 18+ | FREE FOOD
Sunday, May 3, 2026
5-7 pm

ARTIST-LED CLASS: COLLAGING WITH KAILYN
2 FOR $25 | AGE 8+ | SNACKS AND DRINKS
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
6-8 pm

UNDA THA INFLUENCE ARTIST SOCIAL: A 21+ EVENT
FREE | 21+ | FREE FOOD, THC, CBD, AND ALCOHOL
Saturday, May 9, 2026
6-9:30 pm

ARTIST-LED CLASS: WATERCOLORS WITH AMI
2 FOR $25 | AGE 8+ | SNACKS AND DRINKS
Saturday, May 16, 2026
12-2 pm

RSVP REQUIRED. LINK IN BIO.

And to close:

CLOSING FESTIVAL
Sunday, May 31, 2026
3-7pm

Location:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave
Dellwood, MO 63136

Food Courtesy of
THC Products Courtesy of Cool Vibez and Creations
..
Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

04/07/2026

Join our artists in a roundtable discussion about their work and processes this Saturday!

ARTIST TALK
Saturday, April 11, 2026
6-8 pm

ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave
Dellwood, MO 63136

RSVP required
https://linktr.ee/forgingblackjoy
…
Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

03/12/2026

Forging Black Joy is TWO WEEKS AWAY!

Please come and celebrate with us on the opening weekend! And if you are interested in helping the show run smoothly, we have many volunteer opportunities! Link for details: https://linktr.ee/forgingblackjoy

SAVE THE DATES:

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

03/05/2026

Forging Black Joy needs volunteers!
If you are interested in gaining experience working behind the scenes for an arts exhibition or working events, we have some opportunities for you! We are offering participants recommendation letters for their future endeavors.

Send us a message if you have any questions.

Scan the QR Code or go to linktr.ee/forgingblackjoy ..
Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
..

01/25/2026

Get to know Amina Taylor!
Follow .dee.tay.art on Instagram and Facebook

Artist Bio:
Amina’s work mostly focuses on self-reflection and experimentation. Her pieces, predominantly self-portraits, are created with experimental techniques to convey the different emotions that she has experienced throughout her life. When creating these pieces, she processes and breaks down these moments in her life. Amina also enjoys creating art inspired by pretty things because it makes her happy.

Message to the People:
“I hope that my artwork can inspire others to look inwards and strive to become their best selves.”

…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7 pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

01/24/2026

Get to know Kailyn E’Lonie!
Follow on Instagram!

Artist Bio:
Kailyn E'Lonie is an artist from St. Louis, MO. Their work examines how experiences at the site of the body inform one’s individual sense of self. Their collages combine contemporary styles and fashions with African art objects in order to depict the dynamic process of identity construction. Their work considers how social interactions, self-constructed narratives, personal memory, and history influence and reinforce individual and collective identity. They encourage viewers to consider the forces they allow to inform their sense of self and to be more conscious of how they come to define themselves.

Message to the People:
“The only person that gets to decide who you are is you. Don't let anyone take your power.”

…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7 pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

01/23/2026

Get to know Blak.less!
Follow .less on Instagram.

Artist Statement:
"My work exists as an interruption of time.

As immersion.

I’m interested in the moment where perception breaks.

Where sound, image, and presence bend the room. My art asks for physical and emotional attention.

I create from fragments.

From glimpses. From events that feel unfinished.

My work reflects that state: incomplete, evolving, and alive.

This is me documenting transformation."

…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7 pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

01/22/2026

Get to know Chanel Thomas!
Follow on Instagram

Artist Bio:
Chanel Thomas is a portrait photographer from St. Louis, Missouri. She was able to witness the heart of the city’s art culture at an early age by attending performing arts schools, where her first passion was dance. Growing up, she loved looking through her grandmother's collection of family archives. She learned about her family's lived experience throughout generations through these photographs, intriguing her curiosity. She had the freedom to explore her creativity and took her first photography class during her senior year of high school, though at that time it was a hobby. Like her mother, she collected magazines but didn’t see a reflection of herself unless it was a magazine promoted to the Black community. Back then, she knew she wanted to create space for representation. During her time in college, she took an intermediate photography course, strictly shot on a large format 4x5 film camera, which taught her patience and intentionality within photography. She received her BA in Art at the University of Missouri-Columbia and became an active member in her local art community by exhibiting in group shows at art galleries such as The Luminary, The STNDRD, and The Waiting Gallery.

Message to the People:
“As a photographer, my aim is to create a space for empowerment through my work.”
…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7 pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

01/21/2026

Get to know Jalen B. Lee!
Follow on Instagram

Artist Bio:
“My name is Jalen B. Lee, and I’m a photographer based in St. Louis, Missouri. My work is a diverse exploration of various styles and techniques. It ranges from traditional photography to street photography and finally, documentation. In documentation, I capture spontaneous and emotional moments that you might encounter in your everyday life.”

Message to the People:
“I want my audience to experience a moment of connection when they view my work. I want them to borrow my perspective for a brief moment and see the world through my eyes. This is because we all perceive the world differently, influenced by various aspects of our lives. My goal is to allow the world to see the world from my point of view, to relate to my portrayal of everyday life, and to unravel the entire story behind the portrait and figure.”

…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

01/20/2026

Get to know Deonni Thomas!
Follow .naniiiiiii on Instagram

Artist Bio:
“I'm an abstract painter born in St. Louis. I have an associate's degree in general fine arts from Florissant Valley Community College. My work deals with design and color theory. I primarily use straight-sided shapes to make my designs, then use color relationships to emphasize the design. I love how different colors interact with one another. My designs are fields for color to roam and play. And I always want my paintings to be a playful and peaceful place for your eyes to rest.”

…

OPENING FESTIVAL:
March 28 & 29, 2026, 3-7pm
CLOSING FESTIVAL:
May 31, 2026, 3-7 pm

FULL EXHIBITION:
March 28 - May 31, 2026

WHERE:
ERG Gallery
10460 West Florissant Ave.
Dellwood, MO 63136
…

Funding for Forging Black Joy was provided by The Luminary’s Futures Fund, a regional regranting initiative made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Address

St. Louis, MO

Website

http://linktr.ee/forgingblackjoy

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