Germantown Art & Sound, hosted quarterly, showcases talent interpreted across varying mediums, including collage art, painting, photography, and sculpting, amongst others. After the acknowledgment of five years dedicated to offering a platform to local artists, the event curators are walking down memory lane with the Germantown Art & Sound “5 Year Anniversary Alumni Show.”
With over 25 returning artists, this rendition of the beloved tradition is a must-see. As promised by the event leads, “the same, good vibes” will return, in addition to a DJ, live music entertainment, and a food truck. That “same good vibes” feeling applies to more than just the food; here are four feature artists who are bringing good vibes only:
Anthony Woodbury:
To be wise beyond years and still open to learning is the epitome of good vibes. Mr. Woodbury, a 75-year-old artist, is coming to Germantown Art & Sound with his newest painting, “Noir Et. Blanc,” a black and white 30×40 inch abstract. A standout from his normal artistic influence, his purpose is revealed in fluid art and landscape paintings.
Explaining his intentions behind every marking, Woodbury said, “Well, with the abstract, I want to try to convey movement. You can actually see colors moving, and then my job is to stop it at the most beautiful point. Then, I’m happy the landscaping just takes me all over the world even though I’m sitting in my studio.”
Mr. Woodbury’s creativeness is an extension of his wise demeanor. A previous children’s book author, his expression has shifted from auditory to visual, and further, is appreciated in both realms.
Besides his age, Woodbury personified an alumni legend by previously participating in Germantown Art & Sound’s 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 shows. See his previous work and pieces yet to come by, and follow him on Instagram @art_by_tony_woodbury.
Chelsey Luster:
Chelsey Luster’s work, a self-portrait with details inspired by tarot cards and the concept behind them, reflects a lifetime of passion and practice. Her main focuses are her responsibilities as an art curator and as a painter. However, she also constructs mixed media art using a plethora of materials, namely fur, glitter, and resin, as well as film and photography.
A quick scroll of her Instagram, @chelseylusterart, flaunts her colorful and whimsical approach to art. However, Luster deeply considers the message behind each paint stroke of oranges and blues. Her first Germantown Art & Sound showcase in 2019 was dedicated to the collection of women who left an impact on her life. Spanning across 30 12×12 inch panels were portraits of the admired faces.
Portraits are a Chelsey Luster trademark, an understandable conclusion when exploring the intimacy of the art in connection with their openness in art.
“I really want people to feel seen and connected. I also really try to focus on creating eye contact and having figures that are confrontational and connecting, that have agency over the space,” explains Luster.
Luster took full advantage of their first Germantown Art & Sound show, bringing along another series entitled “The American Bathroom.” The display was a vulnerable painted expression of the bathroom disgusting as a false safe space for particularly a Black, queer woman.
For Luster to bring such raw artwork to the table, an environment must be curated to where she feels comfortable to do so. That is where Germantown Art & Sound comes in. It is a celebration of Black creativity and a safe haven of community in their eyes.
About her first 2019 appearance, Luster tells the Germantown Info Hub, “It really did build my confidence, and it also did teach me that there are Black art spaces, especially that can be warm and welcoming, where you can also make money.”
Kashana Ricketts:
Kashana Ricketts has a God-given gift and purpose that she is bringing to Germantown Art & Sound this Friday.
Her affiliation with the Our House Culture Center staple event has a short history yet a strong impact. In this year’s April show, Ricketts led with her collection, “Psalm 23,” a display of portrait paintings. Another feature, “Focus on the Fruit,” is a visual testimony to walking by faith in the grace of God.
“That’s about focusing on the good that God is planning in your life rather than focusing on all the negative,” Ricketts explains about her art. “So, it’s almost kind of like gratitude in a way, especially when you’re going through it.”
Before her hand touches a brush, she prays to God and asks what He desires her to paint. It’s difficult, sometimes, to be completely open about a personal revelation. However, her interest is in art, and her calling is in God. She finds joy and purpose in connecting the two to glorify the Lord in a manner that speaks to her.
“Psalm 23” will stand, once again, in Germantown’s Art & Sound showcase with a clear and comforting message:
“If you know God or even if you don’t know, He is a shepherd, and know that He, if you allow Him, will guide you,” said Ricketts. “It will be the best decision you ever make.”
A previous educator who was called back to art by the Lord and later is accepted and celebrated by the Germantown Art & Sound show family as a full-time artist; that’s God’s plan.
Her Instagram and TikTok, both @brokenedges.art, are great places to start hearing her testimony of God’s power.
ockTheWizard:
This man is a digital camera-shapeshifting, paintbrush-wielding sorcerer. ockTheWizard has the talent to do it all.
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, ock finds the utmost fulfillment in his connection of the arts to the PA city. He interprets his experience and expressions through photography and sketching, which can be found on @ockTheWizard, on both Instagram and Twitter. Whether it be on pen and paper or development in the red room, ock is a significant advocate for the art of portraits.
“I feel like everybody has an attractive side; everybody has, like, an attitude or energy in them that can really come out through the camera,” said ock.
Full circle moment: ock admires Philadelphia and its people and, in return, do portraits to reflect that admiration. He can almost see and capture a person for all they are. It’s without a doubt that Philadelphia is an interesting, art-heavy area, and ock credits his community neighbors for being so like-minded and creative, as well.
“I feel like we, a lot of creative people that I do talk to, have started in the Philly creative and then left Philly. We all say that Philly is, like, a dojo or a boxing gym,” explains ock.
ock is an active alumnus after participating in Germantown Art & Sound shows previously, once in 2021 and the most recent in August 2024.
With him will be a self-portrait. However, this time around, he is using inspiration from Central American and Indigenous peoples’ art to introduce a whole new energy to his work.
–
A turnout of over 25 alumni artists is refreshing, which helps plant a seed of acceptance and encouragement in artists’ spaces. The highlighted artists merely hinted to prove that the expression of creativity and success is a regular occurrence.
Germantown Art & Sound will present the “5 Year Anniversary Alumni Show” from 7-10 p.m., Friday, October 25. The event is set in its normal home, Our House Culture Center, at 6380 Germantown Avenue.
For the official lineup of featured visual artists and live music and more information, visit @gtownartsound on Instagram. Tickets are available on Eventbrite free of cost. However, a $10 donation is highly encouraged to fund the continued exposure and recognition of local artists.
