The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative rolls out its 2026 Art Innovation Zone Exhibition: “Celebrating Artists of African Descent: Past and Present.”
The show runs February 1 through March 13 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, shining a spotlight on the creative resilience and future of Black artists in the region. This year, ten artists take center stage, with Frederick Woods and Glenyse Thompson featured for their distinctive voices and vision.
Join the opening reception on Tuesday, February 10, from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. for a chance to step into a lively mix of conversation, stories, and connection with the artists. You’ll find their work doesn’t just sit quietly on the walls; it pushes into the intersections of identity, lived experience, and creative expression. RSVP at SuncoastBlackArtsCollaborative.org to save your spot. This exhibition comes to life thanks to support from the Manatee Community Foundation and the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation.
The Art Innovation program doesn’t stop at the exhibit. On March 14, SBAC will host a Business of Art Symposium for artists of African descent, with a special nod to visual art teachers from Bradenton schools. The symposium, also backed by the Knight Foundation, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. It’s free for artists and dives straight into practical skills for building a lasting creative career, because SBAC stands for dialogue, education, and access are the backbone of sustainability in the arts. Registration opens after February 1 at SuncoastBlackArtsCollaborative.org.
Michel des Verney Redwine, SBAC’s executive director, is clear about the mission. The Art Innovation Zone speaks to the organization’s ongoing commitment to lift up artists not just in their craft but in their professional lives too. “We believe artists of African descent and BIPOC cultures deepen our communities and our history. This exhibition honors where we come from, celebrates where we are, and lays down new tracks for artists to build sustainable careers—and generational wealth—through their creative work,” Redwine says.
Frederick “Rootman” Woods
Featured artist Frederick “Rootman” Woods, self-taught and painting for over three decades, grew up in Hampton, Florida. He found inspiration early in the great masters, with support from teachers and mentors guiding him along the way. Over the years, his art has shifted from still lifes and African portraits into an abstract style, pulling from a range of techniques and influences. The name “Rootman” fits, as his work pulses with a deep connection to the natural world, personal spirit, and soulful narrative.
Glenyse Thompson
Glenyse Thompson, also featured, brings a different energy. Based in Florida, she’s a multidisciplinary artist whose paintings, collages, and mixed media works buzz with color and movement. Her art translates the rhythms of conversation into visual language, with community and shared experience at its core. “We are nothing without each other,” she says, a principle that runs through her practice. Thompson’s work has appeared in Southern Living, Architectural Digest, Town & Country, and Elle Decoration UK, and she’s collaborated with Brewster Wallcoverings on a capsule collection. Her pieces live in collections across the country and have been featured on PBS’s WEDU Arts Plus.
Founded in 2018, the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative champions Black artists and their work through advocacy, education, and collaboration. Learn more at www.suncoastblackartscollaborative.org.
