Group of featured artists at the Kindred Visions artist reception at Arts Council of Fayetteville, curator Dr. Antoinne Duane Jones

As a visual storyteller,

my job is often to stay behind the lens, but at the Kindred Visions artist reception, I felt like I was standing right in the center of a movement. On January 23rd, at the Arts Council of Fayetteville, I had the privilege of capturing the visuals for an exhibition that isn’t just looking at the world, it’s reimagining it.


Capturing this event was about more than just lighting and angles; it was about honoring the "Kindred" spirit of the night. From the bold Afrofuturist themes curated by Dr. Antoinne Duane Jones to the electric energy of the crowd, my goal was to make sure that even if you weren't in the room, you could feel the weight and the wonder of the work.

One of the most profound parts of this project was filming the artist interviews conducted by the incredible LaNatria Ellis. Watching her dive deep into the creative process with the featured artists gave me a front-row seat to the brilliance of Black creativity.


Being the one responsible for documenting this moment in Fayetteville’s history is a responsibility I don't take lightly. This exhibition, tied to Octavia Butler’s Kindred, asks us to look at where we’ve been to see where we’re going. Through my lens, the answer is clear: the future is bright, bold, and deeply connected.


Explore the Gallery

I invite you to watch the interviews and browse the visual highlights of the night. See the stories that Lanatria and I worked to bring to life.


Kindred Visions: Highlight Reel

LaTonya Thompson (Second Place)


Her piece, “Black to the Future,” served as a literal anchor for the Afrofuturist theme. Capturing her talk about the layers of oil over acrylic was a visual treat; you can see the history and the future colliding in every brushstroke.

Linia White (Third Place)


Linia’s work, “Congolese,” brought a beautiful mixed-media digital element to the gallery. The interview dives into how she uses hand embellishments to bridge the gap between digital precision and human touch.

A person wearing a black suit and tie poses in an art gallery space with dramatic lighting.
A person wearing a black leather jacket and gray shirt stands in an art gallery space with track lighting overhead.
Person in denim overalls and white t-shirt stands in art gallery space with dark floors and white walls.
Person wearing a brown jacket and knit sweater stands in an art gallery with 'Kindred Visions' signage visible.
A fashion portrait showcasing a textured sweater with blue and green geometric patterns against a warm-toned background.
Person wearing a black beanie, glasses and sweater poses casually against an indoor wall with blurred signage.
A person in a blue beanie and striped green and blue vest smiles warmly in an indoor gallery setting.
Two people stand together in an art gallery space with track lighting and white walls displaying artwork.
A person in a navy blue blazer and yellow shirt stands in an art gallery under the Kindred Visions sign.
A stylish outfit featuring a patterned sweater and distressed denim in an artistic indoor setting.
Person in dark suit jacket and blue shirt poses in front of gallery wall with spotlights.
A stylishly dressed person in a hat and shiny jacket poses in an art gallery exhibition space.
People's lower bodies and feet shown walking through a dimly lit art gallery exhibition space.
Two people embrace while kneeling in a dimly lit art gallery space with dark floors.
Person in a black dress with puff sleeves poses in front of colorful abstract artwork in a gallery.
Two people pose together in front of 'Kindred Visions' gallery sign, one wearing striped shirt and jeans.

Rakiesha Metzger (Birthing a Gift II)

Art is more than just what you see, it's a language

Lanatria catches up with Rakiesha Metzger to talk about the spiritual consciousness behind her latest work and why we all have a 'gift' waiting to be born. Reawaken your spirit with this deep dive into black artistic thought.

Nancey Price

At the Arts Council Fayetteville’s Kindred Visions exhibit, Lanatria Ellis (Caribbean Cowgirl) speaks with artist Nancey Price to discuss her masterwork, "Celestial Harvest" as a sixth-generation descendant of Georgia farmers.

This conversation is a deep dive into art as a tool for reclaiming our narrative and honoring the spirits of those who came before us.