Artists

Urban Cultural Footprints embodies the artistic journey that artist José Manuel Cruz
takes through his life growing up in the urban city of Newark, NJ otherwise know as
BrickCity because of all the housing projects and apartment buildings in the city.

José uses the different mediums he experienced in the city from spray-paint and
enamel markers to rapidograph pens and acrylics and brings us on his artistic
journey one step at a time by juxtaposing his unique urban style with classical
frames. The bright and bold colors play powerfully against the thick and intricate
lines in his designs

Clarence Heyward is an artist born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He relocated to North Carolina to study Art Education at North Carolina Central University. He currently resides in Clayton, North Carolina. Self-described as a painter of people; his work investigates social norms, challenges stereotypes and questions identity in the urban community. Using charcoal and oil/acrylic paint his portraits create a dialogue with the viewer.