The View from Within

When one speaks of a view, they are speaking about a unique vantage point or perspective. The View from Within provides a rare opportunity to do just that, enabling the viewer to look within the lives of two emerging artists, Trinidadian artist Nneka Jones and African American artist Shannon Elyse Curry, into the fullness of their thoughts, motivations, and meditations on their artistic practice. This exhibition is a unique partnership between A&H and The Links, Incorporated, an international service organization established in 1946 that consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent. Both the artists and the works for this engaging exhibition were selected by members of The Tampa (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

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About the artists:

Nneka Jones is a contemporary multidisciplinary artist who enjoys working in mixed media, embroidery, textiles, and paint exploring both large-scale mural work and small-scale, intimate pieces. The Trinidadian born artist produces thought-provoking artwork that comments on social and environmental injustice, and is a graduate of the University of Tampa.
One of her most notable achievements was a commission from TIME magazine to produce the cover artwork for the August 31st/ September 7th issue 2020. Her work has since been acquired by the Tampa Museum of Art, FL, Florida Craft Art Gallery, FL, The Ferman Center for the Arts, University of Florida, and many other private and public collectors. She uses her artwork as a tool to advocate for the protection of women and girls of color, and is most known for her realistic embroidered portraits with lasting impressions, but continues to be open and experimental in her practice.

Shannon Elyse Curry was born in Carmel, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Art History as an honors scholar at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Moving around the globe as the daughter of a career Naval Officer shaped her art and creative sensibilities. Shannon is a jazz musician and vocalist, book cover illustrator, a muralist, painter, educator, and sought-after artist for exhibition and commissioned work. Shannon works in many artistic mediums and experiments with color and its place and influence in art spaces.
She has a passion for education and as a certified teacher in Art K-12 and ESE K-12, Shannon Elyse offers a wide variety of artistic and creative experiences tailored to both children and adults. Shannon has taught art and exceptional education for over ten years and is keenly focused on the benefits of artistic expression for students receiving exceptional education services. She has focused much of her work on intersections between the arts, art as therapy and student achievement. As a working artist, she has earned accolades exhibiting in various arenas throughout the United States, most recently, Reverberations at the James Wildlife Museum in collaboration with the Carter G. Woodson Museum of Florida and the Scarfone Gallery and the Tampa Museum of Art. In addition to exhibiting and work acquired by galleries, her work has been sold to private collectors around the world.