SaveArtSpace is proud to present Growth - New Beginnings, a public art exhibition on bus shelter ad space in Washington, DC, starting March 3, 2025, curated by Terrell Lomax Russell.
The Growth - New Beginnings selected artists are Jada Imani M, James Jay Seitz Jr, and Kyra Clemons.
The Growth - New Beginnings exhibition explores themes of personal and societal transformation, renewal, and the endless possibilities that come with fresh starts. Encouraging creative expressions that reflect the beauty of growth, whether it’s the blossoming of nature, the evolution of the human spirit, or the dynamic changes in our world. Artists are asked to submit works that symbolize hope, regeneration, and the optimistic energy of embarking on a new journey, whether through visual art, sculpture, photography, or mixed media. Emphasizing innovation and seeks to highlight diverse perspectives on how growth and new beginnings manifest in both intimate and global contexts.
Opening March 3, 2025, SaveArtSpace will launch public art installations for each selected work on bus shelter ad spaces in Washington, DC. The public art will be on view for at least two weeks.
Selected Artists
Cheakaity, The Grown Man
Location: Minnesota Ave NE & Grant St NE, Washington, DC
In late 2015, I embarked on a nearly 10 year journey of being a visual artist through photography and filmmaking. My primary focus was working with my favorite artists in the DMV area. In 2019 I met one of my long term creative partners, the singer, songwriter, and producer, Cheakaity. When we met he told me he wanted the cover art for his next project, Grown Man, to be “so literal that it becomes a metaphor”. He thought, “What would happen if I over exaggerated the term ‘grow’?” A visual came to his mind of a man that transformed into a tree and he knew I was the person to execute.
Grown Man was transformative to my evolution as an artist, considering the fact I had not executed something of this magnitude. Regardless of this fact, Cheakaity knew it would come to fruition. I feel connected to this work through the music as well. Songs like “Keep Growing” were and still are highly motivating to me as a young adult. Grown Man was the driving force of getting through the pandemic and seeing how we can grow even in times of adversity.
Connect with Jada at @jadaimanim.
James Jay Seitz Jr
You can’t escape the neighborhood life…
Location: H St NE & 6th St NE, Washington, DC
I am a multi-disciplinary collage artist from Atlanta based in Brooklyn, my work is an exploration of identity, memory, and the complex layers that shape my experiences. Through collage, I merge various mediums—paper, fabric, photography, paint, and resin—to create dynamic, textured pieces that invite the viewer to engage with both the visual and tactile elements of my work. By layering these materials, I reflect the fragmented nature of personal and collective histories, particularly within the African diaspora.
My creative process is deeply influenced by my own experiences as a Black woman and my cultural heritage. I draw inspiration from African diasporic art, literature, music, and everyday objects, often repurposing discarded materials to give them new life and meaning. Each piece becomes a way to reclaim history, reimagine narratives, and celebrate resilience and transformation.
Collage allows me to explore the intersections of time, memory, and identity—how the past continuously informs the present and how our stories are constantly evolving. Whether through two-dimensional works or three-dimensional, resin-coated sculptures, I strive to create pieces that resonate with both beauty and complexity, offering viewers new perspectives on Black life and history.
As an artist, I aim to inspire conversation, challenge perceptions, and uplift underrepresented voices, while creating spaces for reflection, healing, and empowerment.
Connect with to Sisters in Wisdom (Art) at @tosistersinwisdom & @tosistersinart.
Curator
Terrell Lomax Russell is a self taught artist and art instructor who began showcasing his work professionally in October 2016.
Since his first pop up event in 2016, Terrell's artwork has not only been on display in different billboards, galleries and businesses throughout the DC metropolitan area but also across the US and overseas. He has also held his own solo art shows, worked with notable brands such as Nike, and has gained the attention of notable figures such as U.S Congress representative Ayanna Presley, Grammy nominated artist such as Pusha T and Common, and many more.
Connect with Terrell on Instagram at @handpaintedbytlomax.
SaveArtSpace
Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization that works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a message of social change that benefits the working class. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists.