Black Artist Waystation

Our Values

1. We acknowledge that Artivists (Artist + Activist) use their artistic talents to fight the struggle against injustice and oppression.
2. We recognize that artivists play a central role in building a vibrant Lancaster County.
3. We believe that diverse perspectives create a unique culture and have an emphasis on supporting Black artists since their work is not equally represented in mainstream culture and media in Lancaster County.
4. We are committed to supporting work that has a social impact on the footprint of Lancaster County.
5. We are committed to uplifting work that can alter how we think about ourselves, our society, or our culture by challenging or questioning societal norms and prevailing attitudes about race, class, gender, sexuality, identity, age, and ability.

Program Overview

The Black Artist Waystation is designed to help artists in Lancaster reach new levels in their creative careers. Artists will be asked to demonstrate a vision for the next stage of their professional or artistic practice and a clear plan for how the Black Artist Waystation can help them reach it. Artists will be selected by an independent Board of Advisors.

Four artists will be selected this year. We invite all emerging artists to apply with their current needs and ideas. Artists whose work impacts the Lancaster footprint are eligible to apply. Please note each application is reviewed carefully.

“Revolutionary Aesthetics” 

The Black Aesthetic was seen as crucial to the development of the African American identity during the Black Arts Movement. This movement developed alongside the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and promoted the unique Black voice in the arts. Artists involved in this movement aimed to reveal their struggles, strengths, and celebrations of African Americans through the creation of poetry, novels, visual art, and performing art. How would you express your current aesthetic alongside the current climate in America? 

Wadsworth A. Jarrell (American, b. 1929). Revolutionary (Angela Davis), 1971

Keisha Finnie (she/her)

Keisha’s work explores the journey of evolution as not only an artist but as a woman of color. Interpreting her personal experiences and observations and nurturing and visualizing her determination and resilience through touch and a strong vibrant color palette.

Keisha has been artistic since she could remember in her first art class at Ross Elementary School where her 2020 mural “Nurture Your Mind” resides. She’s had work displayed all over Lancaster City from galleries, murals, pianos, food trucks as well as neighboring cities.

Dominique Jordan (he/him)

Sir Dominique Jordan the Prolific One is a poetic vanguard hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania; whether it spoken word or on a page, he uses his unique verbiage to inspire others to use their vulnerability as a ‘super power’. He identifies as an Artivist, and teaches across the country about how Hip Hop culture and general creative expression are tools that can be used in the classroom/neighborhood to enhance the overall educational experience. He loves to challenge people to make a difference in their community as they see fit. The Prolific One is also the lead vocalist of the sensational, funky Hip Hop and R&B band, The Prolific Steppas. Lastly, Sir Dominique Jordan is the founder and CEO of both The Artivist Corp. (a social enterprise dedicated to youth mentorship) and Nobody’s Pen (a poetic writers collective). Find him and his efforts on social media using the hashtag #WhatThatImpactDo

Kearasten Jordan (they/them)

Kearasten Jordan is a Black Queer Artist born and raised in Lancaster PA. They enjoy art, music, and being a problem.

Thunda Khatt (she/her)

Thunda Khatt is a Writer and Spoken Word Poet from Baltimore MD based out of Lancaster, PA that tells the stories of the unheard. She lifts her voice to amplify those before her that could not speak and encourages those after her to never forget the power of their voice.