Art and Soul Exhibition Pays Tribute to Black Music

Toledo natives Jelise Roberts and Eric Jefferson are proud of their city and proud of their cultural heritage. In honor of Black History Month, Jelise and Eric have put together an exhibition of paintings, drawings, and mixed media works that pay homage to some of America’s great jazz, hip-hop, and soul singers. Their celebration of art and music will be held at Sur St. Clair Gallery on Saturday, February 18th from 5:30-8pm. DJ Sid Deluxx will be spinning music, accompanied by Renee Dion on vocals.

Jelise and Eric have known each other since childhood, are members of the same church, and as Eric states, consider themselves family. The two moved to the capital of the buckeye state in 2000 to attend Columbus College of Art and Design, and actively exhibit in Columbus metropolitan area since graduating with Fine Arts Degrees from CCAD in 2004. They’re also both members of The B.R.U.S.H. Experience, a non-profit collective of artists who host “paint by number” events designed to engage those in Columbus community who many not consider themselves artists in creative, artistic projects.

The pair make it a point to return to Toledo at least once a year to visit their family, friends, and community. Although they’ve exhibited together in Columbus, most recently for an exhibition set up by by Jelise to raise awareness of domestic violence and human trafficking, this will be their first collaborative exhibition in the Toledo area. For Eric and Jelise, their major point of pride in arranging this event is being able to show off their god-given talents with their native community. “This exhibition is like a homecoming for me,” notes Eric. “It feels good to be returning home to have a show in my hometown.”

To view images of work by the artists, visit www.jrobdesigns.com and www.envision-arts.com.
Sur St Clair Gallery is located at 1 South St. Clair Street, on the corner of Washington and St. Clair Street in Toledo’s Historic Warehouse District. Ample street parking is available on St. Clair. Please note: this event has a $5 door cover charge.