We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrece Brady. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrece below.

Andrece, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always been creative as a child. I remember in elementary school my mom would hang up my artwork in the hallway and when I was in 5th grade I painted myself as a Nefertiti Queen. To this day I still have that painting and am amazing at how well my younger self did. It wasn’t until I was in high school that my art teacher said to me, “You should go to school for Art.” At the time I didn’t even want to go to college; it was a big scam in my eyes. But after consideration and a lot of convincing from my art teacher, I decided to go to Clark Atlanta University as an Art Major. My art teacher attended Morris Brown which is across the street from Clark and apart of the AUC. She talked about how she took art classes at Clark and Spelman and since I was only interested in attending a HBCU I decided to go to Clark Atlanta. During my matriculation I was opened up to a world of black art and saw the power it had to change narratives, uplift communities and advocate for change. I loved learning about the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, The Creative Director of The Black Panther Party’s newsletter Emory Douglas, and the traditional forms of African art. Learning about these artists, art movements and forms is when I decided that I would take on art as a profession and that I would use my artistic talents to uplift and inspire the communities I encounter.

Andrece, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an international visual artist, art educator and curator who prides themselves on working with community. At the root of my work is the desire to help others. Outside of my individual creative practice as an artist, my clients range from individuals and organizations looking to provide innovative programming to the community. Often times I am creating art curriculums and workshops to engage all ages or providing programming that blend the arts and cultures. I’ve had the honor to work with institutions in my city of Newark, NJ like Newark Arts, The Newark Museum of Art and the City of Newark’s Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs to curate programming that gets the community involved in learning and providing creative outlets for exploration and expression. Internationally I’ve worked with organizations in Jamaica, Brazil and Angola to provide arts education to the youth and have had the opportunity to curate art exhibitions for The European Union and The Biennial of Luanda.

My day to day client is typically someone looking for an illustration, logo or a mural. And again I’m honored to have been apart of some amazing projects like Rutgers Community Engaged Anti-Racist Education Project and the mural “Between the Future Past” at the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is my ability to inspire others. I want everyone who encounters me and my artwork to be inspired to live their truth, be themselves and do what they’re passionate about.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

People need to pay artists what they’re worth. Too many times have I experienced or seen people wanting work from artists but be unwilling to pay the cost. This is our lively hood, how we survive! Yes we can be creative and just make art whenever we want but when it comes to seeking and wanting to work with artists don’t be cheap! Consider it an investment, whether you’re buying an original work, a commission for book illustrations or a mural, that artwork is going to elevate your brand, bring you more money and appreciate with time. I think people underestimate what it takes to bring their visions to life and how much artists work to do so, so pay artists!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @qolden1_

Image Credits
Photo Description ;Myself and Kids wearing pink Image Credit : Bikier Hayes 2021 Photo Description : Mural Team in front of large Airport mural Chystopher Davis 2022 Photo Description : Painting Mural with spray paint Bikier Hayes 2020 Photo Description : Myself with Mayor Ras J. Baraka Jabril Akeem 2023