Sabella Barron was born and raised in Middletown, Maryland. A proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she specializes in traditional art mediums and digital art, with expertise in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. She has an associate’s degree in arts and Humanities from Frederick Community College. She graduated from Hood University in 2026 with a Bachelor's in Studio Arts and Art History.

​

She currently works as a freelance artist under Frederick artist Yemi Fagbohun.

​

She has worked on several projects, such as Frederick’s AAOE (African Americans of Excellence) Exhibition since 2024, as well as mural work throughout Frederick. She has also designed logo work for a Deaf disc golf tournament called DMO, with her design printed on shirts, discs, and other memorabilia. Along with her job, Sabella is interning at Artspiration Frederick, using her budding skills as a curator and learning how a gallery operates.

​

In the fall of 2025, she worked as the gallery assistant at Hood University under Bonnie Kern. Interning under Kimberly Morse-Jones to organize and set regulations on Hood College’s art collection. She traveled to Martinique and Guadeloupe in 2026 to further her studies of cultural identity and art history in the French Caribbean.

​

Outside of her budding art career, she enjoys reading, playing video games, hanging out with her friends to play Dungeons & Dragons, and spending quality time with her loving family.

Brad Benna resides with his wife and three children in Frederick where he pursues a career in commercial real estate brokerage and investment.

​

He has maintained a lifelong passion for art especially portraiture and caricature. Through his children, some of his favorite subjects, and their artistic passion and creativity, Brad has maintained and fostered new levels of achievement and exploration which have led him to the AAOE and tutelage from Yemi for which he is deeply honored.

Myra Derbyshire, is an artist and retired biologist, based in Thurmont, Maryland. A native of Scotland, she spent her childhood in Hong Kong before moving to the United Kingdom for university where she earned an Honors Botany degree, and a PhD in Genetics. She moved to the USA at age 23 and has worked as a research scientist, a college professor, and as a Data Scientist at the National Institutes of Health. She studies watercolors under Rebecca Pearl and has taken abstract (acrylic) open studio classes under Calvin Ramsburg. In her art she uses vibrant contrasting colors and often draws on our connection with the natural world. When not painting she enjoys, reading, hiking, volunteering in her community, and spending time with her growing family.

I am a stay-at-home wife and mom of four who has always found a way to creativity at the heart of my life. I have been drawing since I was 12 years old, when I first discovered how naturally art became a form of self expression for me. I went on to take art classes in high school and study multi media art at Frederick Community College, further developing my artistic skills and appreciation for different creative mediums.

Today, motherhood and family are my greatest inspirations, while art remains an important part of who I am. As a self taught and formally educated artist, I enjoy creating meaningful pieces that capture personal, emotion, and individuality. I am honored to use my gift to create this portrait and celebrate such a special honoree.

Ted Luck is a native of Washington, D.C. He credits his mother for his love of the visual arts and his dad for his interest in history. Starting at a very early age, his mother took Ted and his twin brother Tom to numerous galleries and museums in the District of Columbia. His dad was an avid reader who, when asked, eagerly shared historical facts.

Ted earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at The District of Columbia Teacher’s College where he majored in history and minored in art, studying under Lucille “Malkia” Roberts.

Ted took additional art classes at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He earned his Master Arts degree (Educational Leadership) at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

After a long and outstanding career in education, Ted returned to devoting more time to his number one passion, the creative arts.

Ted’s acrylic paintings, collages, and mix media pieces have been exhibited at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, City of Frederick City Hall, the Vault of Vision Gallery in Frederick, Artspiration Frederick and the Delaplaine Art Center in Frederick. One of his pieces was featured on the cover of Delaplaine Arts Magazine, summer 2025.

ARTIST STATEMENT

“A lot of my work is inspired by the cultural influences that make me who I am. As we navigate the broader world, our cultural complexity journeys with us. Some of my work is a dissemination of a mostly unconscious reveal of the cultural elements that make me unique. It is the water in which I swim. Several pieces reflect a very deliberate attempt to chronicle my perception of the African America experience. Other creations are inspired by all of the organic and beauty diversity that surrounds me.”

— Ted Luck

William Lynn is a digital artist specializing in graphic art and 2D animation. Born in Texas, William's family moved to Maryland while growing up during his school years. He graduated in MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in 2018 with a major in Animation and a minor in Illustration. Craving his own path in the independent art space, he makes a living taking online commissions on his journey into self-employment. William is a firm believer in 2D animation standing the test of time as a medium for storytelling. A quiet individual, William's dream is to make a timeless story through animation that he can take pride in. He holds a love for sequential art in both comics and animation, hoping to participate in both mediums.

Born July 20th, 1995, Oluwatoni Oyinloye is a DC-based artist who utilizes oil paint, sketching, and oil pastels to create art that portrays a mood for everyday life. Born in Cheverly, Maryland, Oluwatoni enjoys using his creative abilities to bring scenes and portraiture to life from a place of curiosity and admiration. Toni enjoys spending time with his friends and family, as well as listening to  and playing music and basketball. His work reflects his interest in capturing emotion, atmosphere, and the beauty found in ordinary moments, while continuing to explore different materials, subjects, and creative perspectives daily.

Gary attended Walkersville High School and graduated from Towson University with a Business Administrative Degree and Fine Arts minor. He currently works as a Business Development Manager for Orgill.

Frederick County Public School art teachers Larry Hauver and Harriet Wise were instrumental in teaching him the basics of drawing and allowing him the freedom to dabble in many art medias. He also worked with drama teacher, Bill Eyler, assisting in set design and construction and has continued this work with the ARCH Players of Frederick County.

Gary’s endeavors whether it be in the arts, athletics, construction, or public speaking has brought joy and satisfaction to his soul.

Gary and his wife Stephanie live near Libertytown, MD where they raised their 10 children and are now enjoying their grandchildren.

Emma Sandler is a Maryland-based artist working in sculpture and illustration. She received a Bachelor's degree from Hood College and has worked in the Frederick arts scene for the past 4 years. Sandler is driven by community and views the arts as an engaging vessel to achieve a deeper connection to others. She is honored to return to AAoE for the 2027 season and is ever inspired by this year's nominees.

Hi! I’m Leyoness Thomas. I’m an artist from Silver Spring, Maryland. A 2024 graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, and I studied Illustration with a minored in Animation. My artistic talents shine in acrylic and watercolor painting, graphite, ink and both 2D and 3D animation. I have passion for surrealist artwork, collage, dreamy atmospheres, and nature. I try to bring all this love into my art and expand upon for the future to come I aim to share heartfelt stories and beautiful work that will leave an impact on viewers and build connections. I hope to inspire a lot of people with my work now and for the future.

Born in Texas, Raised in MD. Graduate of Frostburg State University (Art & Business) 2007, Mortgage Loan officer since 2012 and have continued my art through oil paintings, figurative and abstract portrait work along with printmaking and mixed media art markets and online sales

COMING

Alex Brown is a photographer, videographer, creative director, and founder of Marie Rose Creative Co., a Frederick-based creative company rooted in storytelling, confidence, and connection. Alex began her entrepreneurial journey at 19, turning her passion for photography into a business that has evolved far beyond the camera. Today, she works with individuals, businesses, and organizations to create intentional photography, video, brand content, and experiences that help people feel seen and tell their stories authentically. At the heart of Alex’s work is a simple belief: everyone deserves to see the beauty, value, and story that already exists within them.

Robin Dove is the owner and photographer of RED Dove Photography, based in Frederick, Maryland, and serving businesses, organizations, and professionals throughout the DMV, Pennsylvania, and beyond. With more than 20 years of experience in event management and planning, Robin brings a distinctive blend of creative vision, professionalism, and logistical expertise to her work. Her calm, intentional approach captures connection, energy, and meaningful moments, creating compelling visual stories that celebrate people, elevate brands, and preserve lasting legacies.

Juvel Campbell - is an IMDB accredited cinematographer who had his start as a local photographer in Baltimore in 2017. Juvel is the CEO of Captur3dfilms LLC and has worked with local businesses and event planners, offering content services to promote their businesses and services. Over the past decade, he's worked on major projects as a videographer, from a YouTube series to interviews and brand campaign rollouts. As he continues to grow his craft, Juvel remains committed to helping brands and businesses tell their stories through compelling visual content.

At age 44, Rob takes pride in being the person he wanted to be at age 22. His stories and perspective come from over 19 years of indie film experience, a 15-year-marriage, 4 micro-budget features, co-raising 3 children, and a slew of Misadventures in Capitalism While Black in America™️. A former screenwriter and filmmaker, he now writes the kind of tense, small-town mysteries that feel like an HBO miniseries for the page, gritty techno-thrillers of the Vince Flynn/Tom Clancy persuasion, and the kind of genre-blending progression fantasy that speak to his lifelong readership of comic books. Readers of Janet Evanovich, Octavia Butler, Benjamin Stevenson, Walter Mosley, Stephen King and Nelson Demille will dig the crap out of his work.

When not working Rob can either be found reading, writing, or unconscious. His hobbies include playing PS5 and annoying his wife.

Matt Swift is a videographer based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Matt has a background in local tv news, documentaries and wedding and event work.

A story teller at heart, Matt brings passion and several decades experience in video production.

Damon “Bware” Vanzant is a digital artist, television producer, videographer, and digital content strategist with more than 15 years of experience creating compelling visual stories across television, social media, documentary, and live-event platforms.

He began his television career in 2009 with the Oprah Winfrey Network, working on Iyanla, Fix My Life, where he started as a Production Assistant and worked his way up to Producer, creating social media content and producing for the award-winning series, which received two Emmy Awards and two NAACP Image Awards.

Since then, Damon has worked across A&E, WE tv, BET, and other network productions, serving in roles ranging from producer/shooter to supervising producer and, most recently, executive producer of a six-episode women’s healing series.

Alongside his television career, Damon has built a diverse digital content portfolio, creating content for high-profile clients including Oprah Winfrey, Iyanla Vanzant, Ben Crump, businesses, educators, doctors, political campaigns, sports organizations, construction companies, travel agencies, salons, and other entrepreneurs.

He currently manages social media and creates digital content for Iyanla Vanzant, serves as a content creator for the African Americans of Excellence of Frederick, and plays a leadership role as Chair of the Communications Committee for the International African Arts Festival, where he has helped expand the organization’s digital presence, monetize its social platforms, and develop a year-round podcast extending the Festival’s reach beyond its annual event.

Through CaribLife Media, Damon also produces reality projects, documentaries, live-event coverage, and digital programming that highlight Caribbean culture and communities. His work sits at the intersection of television, digital media, culture, and storytelling, allowing him to create content that not only looks good, but connects with audiences and builds lasting digital platforms.