Colors of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration

Join us for a vibrant and inspiring celebration of Juneteenth at our "Colors of Freedom" Sip and Paint event! This unique gathering offers a blend of creativity, community, and cultural reflection, inviting participants to commemorate the historic day of freedom in a colorful and artistic way.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Guided Painting Session: Led by Cary Robinson, Founder of Artbae, explore your creativity while painting a piece that embodies the spirit of freedom and resilience.

• Sip and Savor: Enjoy a delightful selection of wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and light refreshments as you paint.
• Music and Entertainment: Groove to the sounds of music celebrating African American heritage and the journey toward freedom.
• Cultural Reflection: Engage in meaningful conversations and reflections on the significance of Juneteenth, honoring the past while envisioning a brighter future.

Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a brush for the first time, "Colors of Freedom" promises an afternoon of joy, creativity, and connection. Let's come together to celebrate freedom through the power of art. Secure your spot today!

LEAD ARTIST

CARY ROBINSON

Cary Michael is an interdisciplinary and mixed media artist from Mobile, Alabama, now based in Washington D.C. He earned his BS in Fine Arts from Florida A&M University and MA in Design Management from Savannah College of Art and Design. While at Florida A&M, Cary served as founder and president of the FAMU Fine Arts Society and worked as a graphic artist for Tallahassee’s Brogan Museum.

In 2018, Cary founded Artbae (“Art Before Anything Else”) – an award-winning arts education, advocacy, and events organization based in Washington D.C. Artbae facilitates “sip and paint” events, group and intimate paint parties, art therapy events, and unique art buying opportunities for professionals, residents and visitors in the Washington D.C. and greater DMV area.

In 2020, Artbae was named Emerging Creative Winner in Washington D.C.’s 35th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Since then, Cary and Artbae have been recipients of numerous grants and awards, including the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) Artist Fellowship grant, the National Black Arts Project Relief Fund grant, and the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCCAH) Fellowship grant, as well as DCCAH’s Projects, Event and Festival Grant. Cary recently became the winner of GAIN Power’s Powerful IDEA award for Transformational Talent and Leaders (artist category)in 2022 and became the recipient of the Creative Spirit Award at Creative Suitland’s inaugural Cultural Arts Gala in 2023.

In addition to his work with Artbae, Cary Michael serves as Design Examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Studio Artist at the Creative Saints Loft in Hyattsville, MD and Welcome Team Ministry volunteer at Zion Church in Landover, MD. In recent years, he has served as both mentor and creative facilitator for Best Kids, Inc., a Washington D.C.-based non-profit committed to empowering foster youth in the D.C. area, as well as the YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Cary Michael’s artwork has been featured in the 2016 BET Awards, Harlem Fine Arts Show, the African American Civil War Museum and various other exhibits, including permanent collections, throughout the Washington D.C. metro area, New York, New Jersey, Alabama and Florida. Cary enjoys planning events and exhibitions that inspire courage – and is passionate about promoting equity and sustainable living, improving overall quality of life for all through effective use of creativity in all endeavors.