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

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaning project I have work on and still working on is Journey of a Black Girl. What began as a curatorial project in 2020 as the inaugural curator in residence for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine has grown in a platform and apparel brand the celebrates Black girls and women. Journey of a Black Girl was created for a public art exhibition, a curatorial narrative, that visually shares experiences from the innocence of black adolescence to black womanhood from a creative’s point of view. Merging the core of self-expression, sisterhood and integrating everyday rituals and practices passed down through our ancestors. Enlightening experiences dedicated to the moments when we learned we are Black, growing, and learning to stand in power, accepting ours flaws and embracing the true beauty of freedom inside and out.
Honoring that no space or time can define the Black women.

The public art exhibition took place alongside Atlanta BeltLine’s Southside trail but unfortunately the opening was canceled due to the pandemic . We pivoted virtually June of 2020. Installations included My Homegirl’s Clubhouse, interactive safe space was created for self-care with black imagery, and mural created by visual artist, Yuzly Mathurin. A mini doc on little Black girls embracing their hair directed by Timberhouse Films and a live music performances from GA State’s Panther Entertainment Group curated by previous president , Taryn Anchrum featuring 4 musical acts including Gabby Case, Maya Ayam, Morgan Lett and Jazzy Tha rapper.

The highlight of JOABG was Fiber art installation that hung from a near by bridge, created by a community braiding workshop and dedicated to black women’s hair practice, entitled, This Crown Belongs to Us that included a conceptional short film in collaboration with myself , directed by Melissa Alexander, Angela Davis Johnson, featuring spoken word artist Theresa the SongBird.
This visual expression captures imagery of art performance that uplifts black bodies and voices. Reminding Black women and girls of their worth, wellness, self love, while protecting and honoring sisterhood. We embracing our black through healing rituals, gathering of our ancestral spirits , conjuring greatness by releasing trauma , fear and self doubt.

Journey of a Black Girl is meaningful to me because its not only is an expression of my journey but an ongoing experience that Black girls and women and relate to , add to and not only see themselves but share their journeys. 5 years in we are growing, loving, experimenting and exploring resourceful ways to expand the brand ‘s mission. The journey continues….

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My work, my art , my life is only possible through the grace of God, for that I give all the glory to him.
I am a Denver , CO native and have created and sustained a residence in Atlanta , GA for the past 20 years. Art has been in my heart since childhood. Giving credit to my mother who inspired me through her collage making, vinyl collection and encouragement with my school art projects. I began my college career at Texas Southern University and ended in it 2010 at AIU where I received my BFA with a focus in Digital Design . I enjoy freelance graphic deign but my heart is with painting and photography. In 2014 I took a leap of faith and went full time as a visual artist. I taught paint and sip classes for 7 years in studio an off site. I began curating pop up art shows in 2017 and landed a gallery director position at the ArtsXchange’s, Jack Sinclair Gallery in 2019. From there I have wore many hats as a multidisciplinary artist, muralist , independant curator and most recently an art educator for K- 8th grade students. I have had the privilege to take in an artist in residence with Maverick Apartments were I painted my largest scaled mural on a 65ft tall building and create an interactive metal sculpture that sits on the property. I painted a mural in side a private residence pool, continue to build relationships with many Atlanta artists , creatives and happy to have shared partnerships with NBAF and New City Properties. From curating public art programs, film festivals, art fairs and mural projects for the community, I am proud that this art life has allowed me travel nationally and internationally. I have gained so much knowledge over the years from participating in panel discussions, moderating artists talks and proposal ideas that come to fruition, like curating Alfred Conteh’s solo exhibition for 2024 Atlanta Art Week. Some of my most proud moments thus far are being able to take my students on field trips to experience Black Art and meet Black Artists in real time. This is something I longed for a little Black girl in Denver, I just want to be an example to advocate for artist, and lead others to love appreciate and collect Black Art,

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The day after Christmas of 2021 my mother passed away, 5 days before Christmas the following year I suffered a my first and prayerfully my last miscarriage. The amount of pain I felt and still feel from experiencing those losses are devastating. I was a in survival mode, battling depression, dealing with rejection and grieving all while suppressing my feelings in real time. It was only my faith in God, art, family and friends that helped me navigate the pain. No matter how much I was hurting , I kept going. I did hard things, pushed myself to create, pushed myself to smile because the work I do relies on me to be social. I keep because sharing my story out loud, celebrating my mother and honoring the life I carried for 7 weeks is how I see resilience. I am here and I can only live to be better , to show up for myself self and those who care about me but also show up for those who may be blessed by my existence whether it is through my art or presence. Since 2022 I have curated over 20 exhibitions, served and displayed over 100 artist’s work, painted 6 murals , taught art camps, made new friends , learned to forgive and love on myself more. Resilience is growth, i am and always growing and being to prepared for more opportunities where resilience will be be on my side, for that, I give thanks and ll praises to the Most High.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the connection . The connection between my spirt and what I am creating, The connection to the people, connection from artist to artist, artist to collector. The connection of stories to community , mentors to mentees. Sharing art as a whole can lead to may pathways , connection changes lives. Connection opens up possibilities , opportunities and for change. It educates, and reminds us that most healthy connections are the most rewarding because you learn to connect with yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cbrooksart
• Linkedin: courtney (CBROOKSART) brooks
• Youtube: @courtneybrooks104
• Other: @journeyofablackgirl on instagram

Image Credits

Steve West, Will Feagins Jr. , CBROOKSART, Timberhousehouse Films, bexclusive, Zuri Stanback, Melissa Alexander