

Artists Development Community

Discover Our Local Talent
Our "Local Artists" page is dedicated to showcasing the remarkable talents from our region—creators who bring their unique voices, perspectives, and passion to life through their work. From painters and photographers to sculptors, dancers, performing arts,designers, and writers, these artists are the soul of our community, reflecting our shared stories and dreams.
Artist
Audrey Johnson-Gibs
Curated by Audrey Johnson, this exhibit captures her journey as a creative, history keeper, sage, and educator. Audrey Unbound Exhibit 2023 offers a catalog of work that reflects her unique perspective and life experiences. Explore a powerful collection that tells her story.

Artist
Odes Roberts
Sunflowers" by artist Odes Roberts is a powerful representation of Black beauty and resilience, with vibrant yellows and deep blues that bring strength and unity to life. This visually captivating piece is a standout on the Obsidian People click the links to see more art from Orobs

Editor
Keyanna Harper
Keyanna Harper is the founder of Obsidian People Company, a platform dedicated to celebrating Black creatives. As a writer and blogger, she uses impactful storytelling and stunning visuals to showcase art, culture, and unique perspectives that resonate with Black identity. Obsidian People Company reflects her passion for uplifting voices and connecting communities through creativity.
Click to explore and connect with OPC!

Music Producer
Michael Haynes
Michael Haynes is a visionary music producer and the owner of a dynamic website platform that amplifies local talent and creativity. With a passion for showcasing artists and fostering community connections, Mike’s work blends music, digital innovation, and storytelling to empower creatives.
Explore more about Michael Haynes and his contributions to the creative community

Artist
Mercé Lanise Culp
Mercé is a powerhouse creative, merging street art, fashion, graphic design, and sculpture into a multidimensional artistic experience. As the visionary behind MFINITY Fashion and UrbanDigitz, she transforms her artwork into wearable canvases, creating a luxury artist fashion brand that speaks to those with an eclectic taste for bold color palettes, vintage hues, and intricate patterns.

Artist
Simone Renee Spruce
Simone Renee Spruce is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and curator with over 40 years of experience in the arts. Specializing in graphite, painting, mixed media, theater, and poetry, she has dedicated her career to teaching and inspiring diverse communities. As the owner of SRS Studios, LLC, Simone’s work has been showcased in exhibitions nationwide and is part of public and private collections.

Creative Director
Taylor Shines
Taylor Shine is a creative director and visual storyteller who uses bold editorial concepts to uplift and celebrate women of color. Her work blends fashion, culture, and narrative—creating images that empower, inspire, and reflect deep truth.

Artist
Live Hightower
Live Hightower is a powerful creative force, blending poetry, photography, modeling, and acting to tell real stories of resilience. Through raw emotions and layered art, Live brings strength and beauty to life.
From spoken word to striking visuals, Live’s journey is just unfolding, and Unbounded Artists is proud to share their voice with the world.

Writer
Della Styles
Della Styles is a powerful playwright whose words reflect real life with depth and honesty. Her work speaks to the heart of community, culture, and connection—bringing stories to the stage that deserve to be seen and felt.

Artist
Janae’ M Jones
Janae’ M Jones is a rising artist and poet, using bold color and Black culture to tell powerful stories. After years of creating quietly, 2024 became her breakthrough year, selling her first four paintings and proving her art resonates deeply.
From oil pastels to watercolor and acrylics, Janae brings Black brilliance to life. Her journey is just beginning, and Unbounded Artists is proud to uplift her voice.

Writer/ Poet
Sandra Gill
Sandra Rivers-Gill is an award-winning poet, author, and playwright from Northwest Ohio. Her work explores themes of social justice, resistance, and personal narratives, earning Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominations. She is the Poet Ambassador of Northwest Ohio for the Ohio Poetry Association and a teaching artist with Creative Aging Ohio. Her debut poetry chapbook, As We Cover Ourselves With Light, is a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. Sandra is passionate about using poetry to inspire, educate, and empower communities

Author
Annie Beckley-Newell
Annie Beckley-Newell, a Christian author, uses storytelling to uplift and inspire readers with messages of hope and faith. Her debut novel, Someone Prayed for Me: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Love, takes readers on a heartfelt journey of healing and finding God’s love in the darkest moments.
Annie’s work reflects her deep belief in the transformative power of prayer and the resilience of the human spirit.

A Multifaceted Creator
Jodie Summers
Jodie Summers is a versatile creator known for powerful storytelling and art that resonates deeply. From the Tears of the Wounded and Childhood Traumas book series to visual projects like Inked Truth Creations, Jody’s work sheds light on resilience and healing. Founder of Toledo’s Mud Sauce and advocate with CSRN Toledo, Jodie blends art with activism, building a stronger community.
Explore more of Jodie’s journey on YouTube and Instagram.

Artists
Lydia Myrick
Lydia Myrick, a visual artist harnessing the power of art to drive social change. Her latest endeavor, "Generational Echoes," is an exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art.
This exhibition is a continuation of Lydia's commitment to community engagement through art.
Lydia's work exemplifies how art can be a powerful tool for activism, fostering dialogue and inspiring change within the community.
Click to Explore Lydia Myrick's The Venus Art Trap

Artist
Ahmad Jamale Jacobs
Ahmad Jamale Jacobs is a true artistic visionary. With roots in schools like Fulton Elementary, Old West End Junior High, Scott High School, and Toledo University, Ahmad’s creative journey led him to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he majored in illustration.
Known for his bold, impressionistic style, Ahmad blends deep emotion with dynamic technique. His work doesn’t just reflect talent, it reflects study, passion, and a dedication to craft that spans decades.
Ahmad is more than an artist, he's a living example of how art evolves, educates, and empowers.

Artist
Taylor Morris
Taylor is a 22-year-old artist from Toledo, OH, currently exploring her first artist residency with Unbounded Artist Development. She's been creating since childhood—starting with doodles in her school notebooks and dreaming up comic strips. Her passion for art runs deep, finding beauty in everything from cloud shapes to building designs. With experience in architectural design, ceramics, and print work, Taylor is on a journey to learn, grow, and create in every form possible.

