The Gallery @ YMI’s two year line-up of curated experiences by local and regional Black artists in a newly renovated space begins with Asheville native and self taught artist, Jenny Pickens. Her exhibit, featuring rich and powerful new pieces, opens on May 12th and runs to June 21, 2025. 

“And Still We Rise” is body of new acrylic on canvas works reflecting deep cultural resonance in bright captivating colors, embedded with symbology and objects from nature. Also on exhibit are framed charcoal drawings and hand-made collector dolls, three dimensional representations of Jenny’s work. 

Pickens has never limited herself to specific materials, techniques, forms, or subject matter, and yet her work bears a recognizable signature style that she calls “Black Joy.” Featuring vibrant patterns, exuberant colors and usually contemplative compositions featuring naturalistic Black figures, Pickens says her artwork is almost always related to her cultural background, and that is something she never wants to lose.

As Jenny tells her creative origin story, she reflects on her upbringing, “The youngest of four, I grew up with my grandmother. She would take old clothes and make us quilts. I’d thread the needles and I learned by watching her.” 

At a young age, Jenny knew that art would be her creative outlet. Taking old shoe boxes or soda containers, she’d make dollhouses and repurpose old fabric into doll clothes. “I realized I was creating things as my way of making a safe place for me. Art is more of a healing for me personally.” 

“Since then, I’ve always done art. Even when I had to work other jobs, I always made time to do my art in between. A few years ago, I decided that I can’t work for anybody else anymore. I just had to take a leap of faith.”

Featured Image “Blueprint”

©Jenny Pickens Art, 2025

Acrylic on canvas

24” x 36”