2022 MOJA Juried Art Exhibition

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents the 2022 MOJA Juried Art Exhibition, on view September 29-October 9th. The MOJA Arts Festival is an 11-day multi-disciplinary celebration of African-American and Caribbean culture produced by the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee. Moja, a Swahili word meaning “One,” is the appropriate name for this festival celebration of harmony among all people in our community. The Festival highlights the many African-American and Caribbean contributions to western & world cultures.

This annual juried art exhibition highlights the recent work of artists across South Carolina, as well as those based in communities proximate to the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor in the adjacent states of Georgia and North Carolina, featuring painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and photography. Artworks receiving prizes are presented alongside a limited selection of pieces identified by the juror as meriting display. This year’s juror is Dana Coleman.

City Gallery will be open every day of the festival – September 29 through October 9 – from noon until 5pm.

Invited artists for this year’s exhibition are:

Fairoozan Abdullah
Lynette Aiken
Brittany Alston
Perry Ashe
Carlos Bilal
Pascale Bilgis
Julie Byrd Diana
Alfred Casciato
Jeleata Nicole Davis
Sonny Dugal
Lee Garrard
Alvin Glen
Shayn Green
Malik Hayward
Karyn Healey
Katie Heatley
Wonda Y. Hillard
Cassandra Jenkins
Tyeisha Jenkins
Anne M. Jennings
Rachel Jones
Ben Kelly
Maike Kowal
Christopher Kyle
Verneda Lights
London Mack
Robert Maniscalco
Ervin McDaniel
Harry McFadden
Dan Mohan
John Mwangu
Georgia Nubia
Katrina Rainey
Ashlee Sanford
Cynthia Sims
Lauren Sloan
Gloria Smith
Diane Speight
Ron Speight
La Toya Thompson
Jalen Williams
Myla Williams

About the Juror:

Dana Coleman captures the dynamic, awe-inspiring beauty of life as he sees it in each of his paintings. His realistic depictions of unique lifestyles, architecture and landscapes draw in the viewer, creating a one-on-one experience that lasts a lifetime. He uses natural and bright colors to execute his contrasting and harmonious work.

After earning an associate degree in graphic design at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina, Dana studied civil engineering at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where he refined his innate ability to recognize and execute the fine detail that can be found in his paintings.

Dana, who has earned several awards for his artistic talent, always has believed that “You can paint anything you set your mind to.” His artwork captures the most vivid and fond memories he has collected since his childhood “in the country,” just outside of Charleston. He shares those experiences with viewers so they can enjoy the diverse and vibrant culture that is unique to Charleston. His architectural background has helped Dana reproduce the history and beauty found in the Charleston area, from its weathered houses and structures to its beautiful beaches and marshland.

With an ever-changing palette, Dana paints with various techniques, depending on the subject matter – and his emotional attachment to the subject matter. Applying paint with purpose and patience, he applies the strengths of each specific medium to achieve smooth, rich surfaces and crystal clear, vibrant hues.

Dana’s artwork can be found in numerous private art collections around the world and has been displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His work is a permanent fixture at the Sierra Leone National Museum and the Fort Sumter Museum on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. In addition, he has created countless commissioned works of art.