On the last day of Black History Month, I attended the Black Boy Art Show in Washington, D.C. It felt like the perfect closing note to a month of reflection, pride, and celebration. It was my first time at the show, and while I expected to be impressed, I didn’t anticipate how immersive the experience would feel.

Immediately upon entry, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the range of creativity on display from Black men working across mediums and styles. Oil paintings, prints, and cultural tributes filled the room. Some pieces captured iconic movie moments that instantly pulled me into a wave of nostalgia. Everywhere I turned, something new caught my eye. It truly felt like there was artwork for everyone.

If you’re traveling to attend and planning to purchase artwork, come prepared to ship your pieces home the same day or shortly after. I didn’t arrive intending to buy anything, but I still left with something meaningful. I picked up pins from @poppinsnyc that celebrate my Brooklyn home and beyond.

Below are a few standout artists I had the chance to connect with — creatives whose work deserves a closer look.

Black Boy Art Show Artists To Know:

Brian Tolbert Art

Brian Tolbert is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Washington, D.C. Known for portraiture, self-portraits, and surrealist illustrations on cardboard, Tolbert’s work explores the lived experiences, cultural context, and social nuances of Black male identity in America.

Cameron Lewis (Cal Art)

Self-taught and multidisciplinary, Cameron Lewis draws inspiration from Southern storytelling and Japanese visual traditions. His work blends symbolism and restraint to create personal narratives that honor memory, place, and lived experience, inviting viewers to slow down and look closer.

Sam (Sam Sins)

Sam captures the spirit of Black Boy Joy through acrylic and oil pastel on canvas, creating bold compositions that radiate warmth, pride, and playful energy.