Artists use intentional brush strokes or poetic lyrics on top of a beat to create art that bridges communities together.
That’s what Semeion Richardson, owner of Artist With a Purpose, is aiming to do as she leads her gallery into the new year.
Richardson said the gallery’s goal is to fill the void of art representing diverse cultures.
From the Soulfest MLK Celebration on Jan. 18 to Last Jazz Saturdays kicking off Jan. 25 to Experience Culture of Haiti on Feb. 23, the gallery is introducing a handful of new events in 2025.
“My goal is to continue to create a reflection of what community and unity looks like,” Richardson said. “To be able to do that, we need to diversity our art.”
The gallery will start off 2025 with the Soulfest MLK Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Towne Square, 510 W. Main St., Leesburg, bringing out artists, vendors and members of the Divine Nine, historically African-American Greek organizations.
“That’s what is different about this event,” Richardson said. “I created it to have diversity through music, sound, dance and art. I want to encourage the community to be a part of learning the culture of unity and love.”
Last year, the gallery introduced various recurring events, including 4th Street Live Artwalk, monthly open mic nights and business mixers. To ensure a greater impact in the community, Richardson collaborates with several organizations inside and outside of Lake County to put together some of the gallery’s programs.
Venue 781 is a performing arts event organizer based in Leesburg that arranges live entertainment for the gallery’s events, including its upcoming Last Jazz Saturdays that kicks off 7 p.m. Jan. 25. Venue 781 has arranged for Luis The Romantic Sax to perform.
Michelle Anderson, who works for Venue 781’s parent company, Exceptional Marketing Group, said the Last Jazz Saturdays will be for everyone.
“Anyone can come and enjoy smooth jazz for the night, “ she said. Tickets for Last Jazz Saturdays are $15 person.
Richardson said the gallery plans to continue hosting these events, as well as start new traditions, with the goal of “continuing to serve the community.”
“We are definitely doing a lot of shaking up this year. I’m excited about that,” Richardson said. “I am coming up with a big event, hopefully in May. I don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say it will be extremely creative. I will spoil that we will also host a Caribbean reggae night. Think Bob Marley with a twist.”
The Art and Love Reggae and Caribbean Night will take place 8 p.m. Feb. 14. The event will feature live painting and reggae music performed by Jean Barnard Thomas. Tickets for the event are $20 per person.
The gallery also will host Experience Culture of Haiti from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23. The free event, which is in its second year, will include art exhibits, cultural music and dance, and food vendors.
Belina Wright, co-host of Experience Culture of Haiti, said the event’s goal is to share the culture of Haiti from a Haitian’s perspective.
“We wanted to expose the culture with our community, our music, art, history,” Wright said. “This is a family-friendly event to show the beauty and wonder of Haiti.”
Wright and Richardson said last year’s event was well-received and brought out more than 300 people.
Wright said this year’s event will be more educational, focusing on Haiti’s ecosystem, including its native plants and animals.
Wright said she is excited to continue her partnership with Richardson.
“She is so sweet and community driven,” Wright said. “She wants to expose the community to the diverse levels of art. I love her heart because she is always thinking about others.”
In 2024, Richardson hosted her debut art show, “Windows of Life.” She hopes to host a similar event this year.
“I think I want to tap into photography more than painting. I’m a great painter but I want to make more photography or sculptures,” Richardson said. “I want to be able to use my hands to express depth more, to express emotion. When I build with my hands it just makes a statement more.”
Richardson plans to travel and collaborate in areas including Lake, Marion and Orange counties, to offer free pop-up art events from March to September to communities in need. Planning is underway for a pop-up art egg hunt, creative writing sessions, musical performances and more.
“A lot of kids and communities don’t have access to art or free art programs,” Richardson said. “I want to help by going to where they live more often. I’m basically focused on the next generation.”
Richardson is thankful to have a team that assists her with organizing events and keeps things running smoothly at the gallery.
“We are the first Black art gallery in Leesburg. We are historic for so many reasons and we want people to be a part of something historic. It’s going to be a great year,” Richardson said. “This whole year is nothing but meeting expectations, sharing love and unity, and having so much fun. So, if you miss it, you just miss it.”
For more information on the events hosted by Artist With a Purpose, visit artistwap.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
