Saturday, September 20th, 2025, marks the official debut of the ODUNDE Art Sho, an immersive, one-day art experience from the visionary team behind Philly’s iconic ODUNDE Festival. Taking place from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the vibrant Loupe Studio (1330 N. 5th St.), the ODUNDE Art Show is a bold new chapter in the celebration of African artistic excellence and community expression in Philadelphia.
Curated with the same cultural reverence that has made ODUNDE a staple in the city’s Black heritage calendar for nearly five decades, the ODUNDE Art Sho shifts the focus from parades and performances to brushstrokes, sculpture, and lived experiences. With live painting, interactive art-making stations, and an artist-led panel discussion, the event promises an up-close and personal journey through contemporary African diasporic artistry. The name may be new, but the energy is unmistakably rooted in Philly soul.
ODUNDE Art Sho Showcases Powerhouse Artists with Deep Roots
What makes the ODUNDE Art Sho truly magnetic is the roster of artists whose personal journeys and creative voices will be center stage. Each brings a distinct medium, aesthetic, and message—interweaving community, culture, and consciousness.
One standout is Emmanuel Gray, known as Worldsgraytest Art. His abstract works burst with kinetic energy and color, capturing emotions in motion through dynamic brushwork and layered textures. Since 2020, Gray has cultivated a style that is vibrant, introspective, and unmistakably modern.
Also on exhibit is Pauline Okito Brown, a self-taught artist who transforms mixed media into mesmerizing visual narratives. Her portfolio ranges from wearable art and jewelry to expansive canvases, each infused with a deep sense of identity and resilience. Brown’s work has graced fine art stages across the U.S., but this is a rare chance to encounter her creativity up close.
Philly legend IvbenTaqiy (Taqiy Muhammed) brings more than 30 years of visual storytelling to the show, including mural commissions for Mural Arts Philadelphia and portraiture for icons like Jay-Z, Vanessa Bryant, and Lauryn Hill. A fixture in the city’s artistic fabric, his presence anchors the ODUNDE Art Sho in both legacy and innovation.
From Cleveland comes Donald Black Jr., whose photography and installations boldly challenge racist narratives by amplifying joy, freedom, and dignity within Black communities. His ongoing project “Warrior of Light” serves as both a brand and a beacon—shining through adversity with purpose and truth.
ODUNDE Art Sho Elevates Voices and Vision in a City That Listens
In a city as culturally rich as Philly, the ODUNDE Art Sho stands out not only for its lineup but also for its intent. It’s a call to witness, to participate, and to honor the ways art can heal, provoke, and uplift. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with the artists, watch their processes unfold in real time, and dive deeper during an intimate panel discussion exploring creativity as cultural resistance.
Loupe Studio’s North Philly location provides a raw, authentic canvas for the event. Known for supporting emerging and experimental art, the space is the perfect backdrop for ODUNDE’s next evolution—from celebration to curation, from festivity to fine art.
The ODUNDE Art Sho offers an experience that’s uniquely Philly—unapologetically Black, defiantly creative, and beautifully unmissable.
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