AFFORDABLE ART FAIR BOSTON | OCT 23rd - OCT 26th | BOOTH A11

Candice Tavares is a wood artist born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, PA who currently lives and works in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Her art is a celebration of Black beauty, love and culture that highlights the diversity in our hair texture and styling as well as skin complexion. Candice was formally educated in engineering and pharmacy, but her true passion has always aligned with the freedom of creativity. She was encouraged to experiment with different mediums during Saturday morning art classes and introduced to woodworking while helping her dad build and fix furniture in his woodshop. Years later she was able to combine that knowledge and experience to develop a style of art that felt uniquely hers. Though woodworking has often been classified as a more masculine art form, she does not shy away from using it to depict images of softness and femininity. She sees her art as an opportunity to celebrate Black beauty, history and resilience, while challenging the negative narratives about blackness that she sees perpetuated in healthcare and media. Her art is intended to remind viewers of their inherent beauty and value just as they are, just how God made them.

Lamar Bailey is an Atlanta-native, husband, and father who captures the energy and love within Black community through mixed media art. His expressive style features loose brushstrokes and abstract textures which help convey emotion and movement. He often paints on unconventional materials like

cardboard and cardstock, tactile quality to his pieces that adds authenticity and dimension. His art explores the beauty and complexity of Black family life—centering themes of love, resilience, and the everyday moments that shape identity. Through powerful visual storytelling, he seeks to honor and uplift Black communities, shining a light on both quiet and profound moments that reflect their strength, tenderness, and humanity.

Emmanuel Gillespie, a visual artist with over two decades of experience spanning painting and sculpture was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, with a deep-seated commitment to scholarship, Gillespie possesses an educational background that underpins his creative career. Through a fusion of traditional and innovative techniques, his recent work highlights moments in time and their importance within the framework of humanity. Gillespie received his Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of North Texas and later earned his Master of Art degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Currently an arts educator with over 20 years of experience, Gillespie has completed several public art projects in Dallas. Some most notable works include site-specific sculptures for the Bexar Street Corridor, the design for the DART bus station for the DART Green Line project, a statue commission of Ernie Banks for the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and two 8ft. bronze statues for the Cedar Crest Golf course in Southern Dallas of Walter Hagen and Dr. Charles Sifford. Gillespie utilizes his artistic and educational practices as a conduit for community engagement. Emmanuel Gillespie’s work continues to inspire, enrich and challenge our cultural landscape, leaving a legacy that bridges generations and amplifies artistic voices.