The Art of Collaboration returns in 2026 with an expanded vision and an elevated purpose. After the success of the inaugural 2024 exhibition—this second edition steps into an even more powerful chapter for Austin’s creative ecosystem.

The 2026 exhibit will debut during Black History Month, The exhibit will be Richesart Gallery 5th American History Exhibit celebrating Black creativity, innovation, and cross-disciplinary storytelling. This year’s cohort expands beyond visual arts to include:

Six Artists | Multiple Disciplines | One Vision
- Poet **Jay Writes**
- Videographer/Photographer **Kameal Mock**
- Designer (Graphic/Experimental/Painter) **Chris Tobar**
- Painter/athlete/Curator (Watercolor/Ink/spraycans/acrylic/fashion) **Richard Samuel**
- Painter/Ballerina (Acrylic/oil/Mixed Media) **Sarah Forge**
- Textile Artist/Painter (textiles/sculptures/engraving/calligraphy) **Steph Ivelisse****

Together, these six Black creators will engage in an intensive, collaborative process—each artist partnering with every other artist in the group—to produce 15 new collaborative works that merge genres, disciplines, and cultural perspectives.

Inspired by the 2024 “speed-dating-meets-studio practice” model, this edition continues to push the boundaries of what creative partnership can look like. Each piece will tell a story of shared vision, cultural lineage, and the transformative process of relinquishing control to co-create something larger than oneself.

This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment

Schedule

12pm Doors Open

12pm - 1pm DJ Daytona Danny

1pm - 2pm Rhythm and poetry/Artist talks

2pm - 4:50pm Just Kickin it performance with Keep it Cute

4:50 - 5pm Closing Remarks