Tamara Payne

Work samples

Dear Black Girl 2023- Love letters to My Sister's Part 2

The Dear Black Girl Project is an exhibition, performance and community conversation affirming the experiences of black women. It is an alluring visual collaboration of embroidered quotes, shared narratives, images, African textiles, audio & found objects curated in a space designed to facilitate healthy conversations around being a black woman in the world. It affords diverse viewers the opportunity to witness the journey. This exhibition is intended to share wisdom, serve as a space of healing, and most importantly honor black women and their processes.
The Butterfly Effect

While Baltimore has faced such grave reviews in the media there are many projects that promote growth and restoration in the efforts to create change in many Baltimore City communities. The Butterfly Effect is a mosaic project that represents rebirth, and focuses on the change that we want to see through community engagement glass mosaic workshops in an effort to bring people together. The butterflies promote peace while assisting in Harwood’s growth as we also celebrate the lives of many who have transitioned in the community. Over the years the Harwood community in Charles Village has faced many issues with drugs, crime, vacancy of homes, and many individuals suffer from mental health issues and traumas. The idea is about transforming a community similar to the way a butterfly transforms in its cycle of life. The community continues to strive for something that is vibrant and beautiful. Over the past five and a half years we have completed and installed over 150+ butterflies onto the exteriors of many homes. Photo: Ryan Parnell carpenter and me, Grant writer, project manager and artist in residence.

VID_194130529_073415_247.mp4
Mosaic Murals & Community Projects

Business: Motzi Bread Mosaic Address Plaques - In an effort to stimulate homebuying, beautification and unity throughout the community mosaics, home address signs and community signs were commissioned over the years by community stakeholders and homeowners. Each sign was uniquely designed by homeowners in hopes to create pride of properties and invest more into the community. Motzi Bread is a local business in Harwood that sells fresh made bread.

https://youtu.be/rbwh-lfJIKo
Miss Ida - Women in the South

Miss Ida Mosaic Glass Portrait -
Mediums: Colored glass on recycled window.
Inspired by an artist and leader in East Baltimore while at my residency in Collington Square in East Baltimore City.
Size roughly 28x23

About Tamara

Baltimore City

Native to Baltimore City Tamara Payne is an alumnus of the Baltimore School for the Arts where she began her artist’s practices in drawing, painting, and sculpture. After studying Fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York City, she returned to Baltimore to earn her BFA in 1994 majoring in painting with a minor in ceramic studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Upon graduating, Tamara worked as an art educator in Baltimore City Public Schools from 1999-2008. Having… more

View Tamara's Resume

Dear Black Girl Project - Love letters to Black Women and their daughters 2022-

The Dear Black Girl Project is an exhibition and community conversation affirming the experiences of black women. Inspired by the poem by Candace Nicholas-Lippman and so many other black women this curated space is an alluring visual collaboration of embroidered quotes, shared narratives, images, African textiles & found objects curated in a space designed to facilitate healthy conversations around being a black woman in the world. It affords viewers with diverse opportunities to witness the journey. This exhibition is intended to share wisdom, serve as a space of healing, and most importantly honor black women and their processes.

https://bmorenews.com/news/the-dear-black-girl-project/

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/the-dear-black-girl-project-love-letters-to-black-women-VF64DLRHDVGCPNJJ5DG363HAXU/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnTUsspKASw/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Dear Black Girl: A Love Letters to Black Women

The Dear Black Girl Project is an exhibition and community conversation affirming the experiences of black women. It is an alluring visual collaboration of embroidered quotes, shared narratives, images, African textiles & found objects curated in a space designed to facilitate healthy conversations around being a black woman in the world. It affords viewers with diverse opportunities to witness the journey. This exhibition is intended to share wisdom, serve as a space of healing, and most importantly honor black women and their processes.
My artistic processes vary and are determined by my instinctual responses to what matters to me in every season.

"Stay tuned for the gem at the end of the video!"
A Poem | Dear Black Girl Project

Views of a Curated Space - Dear Black Girl
Work in Progress - Dear Black Girl

Installation Day - Dear Black Girl - The installation took a week to install before the reception day.
Dear Black Girl Wall Detail

Wall details - Each embroidered quote took about 2-5 hours or more depending on the length of the quote. The frames, objects and many of the fabric are recycled and have been donated to the project by many of the women along with the narratives that have been collected by each black women. Red, Green, Blue Peacock Pattern framed in vintage frame. far right. Narrative by Mrs. Shirley Elder Parker. In honor of my mother.
Exhibition Details - Reception Day

The women were asked to wear African Fabrics on the day of the reception as a way to become a part of the installation. I often refer to the women as "My Tribe" to create unity with the women that have participated and all that are witnessing. My intension is for the black women to become a part of the work when they enter. The African fabric and quotes serve as an abstract portrait and or representation of a body of black women. The intension is for the women to feel bold, beautiful and know that they are meant to stand out in this world.
Embroidery Dear Black Girl Project

Embroidery Detail - Each narrative was from a black women. The narratives were initially received from women that I knew but as I spoke about the projects significance many other black women were initiating their participation. It became very evident to me that the women had plenty to share.
Dear Black Girl Project Group Photo

Although there were others at the reception during the opening day it was important to document all of the black women that had shown up in a beautiful way. Here are just some of the women and girls that were captured on that day.
Installation Dear Black Girl Sketch

Before the Dear Black Girl project was installed in the final form in the fall of 2022 a sample installation in the summer of 2022 had to be installed in my studio. It became a way for me to problem solve and process how the pieces would come together. The intension for Dear Black Girl is to continue curating spaces. Each space will be curated differently each time while growing the narratives as I continue the embroidery. There will be other ways that I include narratives as the space grows. This is a work in progress.
Dear Black Girl: Intimate Conversations

This African inspired space was designed to create a safe space for black women to have intimate conversations.
Tonette Harris, Embroidery Quote, Embrace Your Curls

Embroidered Quote on Recycled Frame with African Textiles
39x24 Narrative by Mrs. Tonette Harris. Baltimore native.

Butterfly Effect Mosaic Community Project 2017 - 2021

The Butterfy Effect manifested after witnessing the riots in Baltimore City and the loss of Freddy Grey in 2015. It is meant to be a large visually impactful mural that beautifies the community, stimulates homebuying, enhances curb appeal, and lastly community growth. It is open for as many people to attend in engagement creative workshops . It's relevance primarily is about people coming together for a common goal: Be the change that you want to see. Harwood is a very diverse community but in the past it has been divide by color.

The mural also began as a way to promote Harwood as one of Baltimore’s vibrant communities. This project has been manifesting in several phases of mosaic initiatives for the last 6 years. In phase 1 the butterflies were introduced to community in a series of conversations. There were also samples of what the butterflies would look like. I desired to see if homeowners would like to be a part of the process in making the glassed butterflies. Once there was approval from homeowners Phase 2 began in seeking grant funding. We were awarded a large amount of seed money after a few attempts in applying. The project was promoted and I held at least 10 or more mosaic workshops in community so that homeowners worked on butterflies throughout the process. The community school youth also did desired designs. Phase 2 targeted 5 locations and the commmunity center where many community people visted. In the first install and within 2 years we were awarded addtional money so that 30+ additional homes in the heart of Harwood had large butterflies as well. Phase 4 will be happening in 2024
This project has truly transformed a community. The butterflies also honor many loved ones that have transitioned in our community and throughout Baltimore City. Community engagement is essential in this process.

Mediums: recycled corian, and colored stained glass.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-woman-transforms-neighborhood-with-artistic-mosaics-harwood-mica-project-community/29727233

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfFoNxAqsU/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTrhDGJgqi_/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

VID_194130529_073415_247.mp4

Butterfly Effect - Home Detail

The Butterfly Effect - Community Engagement,
Butterfly Mural Street View

This project is intended to stimulate homebuyers through our beautification process, enhance curb appeal, stimulate community growth through engagement art workshops and bring neighbors together in community.
BCCC Butterfly Community Workshops - Baltimore City Community College

This project is truly about community engagement through the creative workshops. As an artist in residence I often times have several workshops at Baltimore City Community College with students, professors and BCCC staff. Many students live in the communities that are my targeted mural locations.
Butterfly Collage

This community mural was an opportunity for all of Baltimore to get involved. There were city official, homeowners, neighboring communities and people of all ages who were able to participate.
Butterfly Effect Workshops in Community

Participant working on mosaic butterfly. Butterflies ranges in size from 12x12 to 30x40.
Harwood Butterfly Install 2017

Installation day May 2017
Mosaic Installation Day

Homeowner enjoying her newly installed butterflies.

Ryan P. - Past resident and general contractor for the project. For all of the projects I have been the general manager who has written the grants and facilitated all mural workshops. The contractors were commissioned to complete the installations.
Installing in community with homeowners

The contractor and I work together frequently to ensure that all homeowners are happy with their

installation and placement of butterflies. This was the last butterfly installation for the last season. Job well

done! In the last installation for the fall of 2022 there were 35+homes that received butterflies.
Installation with homeowners and contractors

Installation with homeowners and contractors
Community Mosaics Workshop with Youth & Adults

Workshops during Covid were held outside. Youth from all age groups are able to work in glass while being monitored by an adult. The butterflies range in size from 10x10 to 45x50. To complete an average sized large butterfly from beginning to finish it may take about 5-7 hours. The average amount of workshop for a project would be 8-10 workshops in community before grouting and prepping to hang.

Community Mosaic Signage

Mosaic address plaques and community signage have been of great value for the Harwood community. It soon became a popular attraction which led me to sourcing other grant funding so that all neighors in the community could have them. The signs were greatly valued by the community and agreed by many that it would stimulate homebuying. I would soon begin to have community members investing in providing spaces for community workshops which provided programming for youth and adults. It was a project that provided a sense of unity throughout the community.

Mosiac Community Signs would soon follow and were commissioned over the years by community stakeholders. Each community sign was uniquely designed with homeowners input and the children would soon assist with the glass process. This would soon create pride of properties while community stakeholders also began partnering to truly investment more into the neighborhood. Today the community is known as one of Baltimore's best neighborhoods to live.

https://mica.digication.com/tamarapayne/Welcome/published
Please see the Tamara Payne Mica Digications provided to see additional community projects.

https://www.strongcitybaltimore.org/about-us/building-blocks/

Harwood Community Association – We build and strengthen ...

https://harwoodcommunity.wordpress.com

https://youtu.be/rbwh-lfJIKo

Address Transom Mosaic

Community Mosaic Address for Transom Window. Size 45x24

Each homeowner assisted in designing their Mosaics with colors and overall creative process.
Address Community Plaque

Oftentimes homeowners want their mailboxes to match their plaques.
Address Community Project

Homeowner Picking up her community address that she assisted in designing.

Size 26x9
Address Community Plaque

Detail of exterior address mosaic sign.
Harwood Community Signage

Harwood Community Signage
Mosaic Mailbox Commission

Community oftentimes decide what they would like to see in the neighborhood. Over the last 13+ years the mosaics have been funded by many different organizations in community. We have received thousands of dollars over the years for various community mosaic projects.
Address Plaque Commission

Detail Address Transom Design
Address Plaque Commissioned Transom - Full View

Homeowners are a big part of the design process in these commissioned works in community.
Motzi Bread Commission

Local Businesses often times commission me to add butterfly or mosaic touches to their exteriors. This is a local bread shop in Harwood.
Mosaic Address Community Project - Flag Design

Mosaic Address Community Project - Flag Design
Size: 6x23
Mediums: Recycled frame, and colored glass

School Community Projects

Over the years as the mosaics have become popular, Tamara's mosaics have grown from being installed on residential buildings to being crafted onto public school buildings and businesses throughout the communities in Baltimore. Tamara has continued to work with the students at the neighboring community schools and colleges to ensure that the community involvement is consistent. She has also traveled outside of the Baltimore metropolitan area to complete specific mural work in other school communities.

Please refer to the link, Tamara Payne Mica Digications website for more on community engagement projects.

https://mica.digication.com/tamarapayne/Welcome/published

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxiOuR8uSbZ/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

Westport Academy School Community Mural

During the fall of 2023 I had the opportunity to curate with a Baltimore School Community, Westport Academy to work on an intentional mural celebrating the students, staff and school community.
Wilmington Delaware Community School Mural

Wilmington Delaware Montessori School
20x20 feet. Please refer to the link, Tamara Payne Mica Digications website for more on community engagement projects. https://mica.digication.com/tamarapayne/Welcome/published
Barclay Community School Community Mural

Exterior Barclay Community School Community Mural. Please refer to the link, Tamara Payne Mica Digications website for more on community engagement projects.
https://mica.digication.com/tamarapayne/Welcome/published
Community Street Mural

Students at the Barclay School assisted in designing Gutter Monsters to bring attention to the community in

keeping gutters cleaned. As a Community artist their are always different initiatives that I facilitate to

address community needs.
Community Mosaics Workshop for Youth

Organized paid programming throughout the years has been successful in allowing youth and adults to participate in various mosaic workshops. There have been organized workshops held at the 29th Street Community Center and on specific community events such as Baltimore City's “National Night Out,” against crime. Popup workshops are just as successful, giving youth creative activities throughout the summer and fall. I do the grant writing for all community based projects while have other organizations partner as a 501c3. Over the years I have established beautiful relationships with many of Baltimore's organizations.
Barclay Community School Mural Day Reveal

There were hundreds of people that worked throughout the summer of 2011 to complete the school mural. This was the reveal day with community partners, neighbors, teachers and students.

MOSAIC - Baltimore - PressReaderhttps://www.pressreader.com › usa › baltimore-sun-sunday
Please refer to the link, Tamara Payne Mica Digications website for more on community engagement projects.
https://mica.digication.com/tamarapayne/Welcome/published
Barclay Community School Mural Detail

The mural was a combination of colored glass and ceramic tile. While I managed and facilitated over 20+ mosaic workshops in 2 months in the summer of 2011 there was another artist that facilitated the ceramic tile workshops with the youth at the Barclay School during their summer camp experience.

The Barclay School Unveils Mural | North Baltimore, MD Patchhttps://patch.com › maryland › the-barclay-school-unve...
Sep 22, 2011 — The community pieced the mural together under the guidance of mixed media artist Tamara Payne. The mural, which was built around the ...
Community 1.jpg

Barclay 26th Street Community Center workshop with youth and adults
Community 2.jpg

Barclay 26th Street Community Center Community Sign Reveal Day
Community 3.jpg

Barclay School youth at the 26th Street Community Center working on a neighborhood community kiosk sign

Dear Black Girl Project Mixer and Artist Talk - spring 2023

Dear Black Girl Part Two: The Dear Black Girl Project is an exhibition and community conversation affirming the experiences of black women. It is an alluring visual collaboration of embroidered quotes, shared narratives, images, African textiles & found objects curated in a space designed to facilitate healthy conversations around being a black woman in the world. It affords viewers with diverse opportunities to witness the journey. This exhibition is intended to share wisdom, serve as a space of healing, and most importantly honor black women and their processes.

As we move into the next curated space it is important for many of the women and people that have assisted in the process be acknowleged. This process is truly a collaboration for all. The experience in the process of making Dear Black Girl is just as important as the outcome. It is also important that all women e able to gather to have conversation and share thier gifts in community. You are witnessing a mixer that was organized so that the women couls here about the next phase of Dear Black Girl but also share their crrative paths in this community gathering.

Dear Black Girl: Black Girl Magic | Dear Black Girl Project

Dear Black Girl- Part Two: As we move into the next curated space it is important for many of the women and people that have assisted in this process know that their input is relevant. This process is truly a collaboration for all. The experience in the process of making Dear Black Girl is just as important as the outcome.
Dear Black Girl: Tamara's Message to Black Girls | Dear Black Girl Project

Dear Black Girl Part Two: Empowering Messages to black women and girls will be manifested in part two through videos and QR's codes with some embroidered quotes for the audience to get a more personal experience with each women.
Embroidery Details of Narrative

Each space is uniquely curated for each Dear Black Girl experience. In the next space the quotes will manifest with even more vibrant fabrics and objects. The frames represents each black women's uniqueness.
A New Space

Detail Dear Black Girl: The Next Curated Space. New objects for the next curated space will be just as vibrant as the first. The plan is to have each space curated differently than the first. These pieces are samples of what might rest in the next space as part of the experience.
Dear Black Girl Home View.jpg

Dear Black Girl was originally inspired by my desire to curate spaces. Curating the installation in untraditional places outside of the gallery walls is my desire for this passion project. This version of Dear Black Girl is resting in my studio space while I work on completing my new ideas of the next public space.

In the mean time I have had viewings with small groups such as the Baltimore Museum of Arts JJC, Joshua Johnson Council and a few small groups of women having conversations surrounding future ideas & the impact of the project.
Intimate Conversations: Dear Black Girl

Group photo of an intimate gathering of women. In this gathering the idea was about empowerment. Each women was asked to come and share their gifts with the group of women. It is also important that the conversations amongst women continue in this process of Dear Black Girl. It truly assists in the creative process.
Mixer Group Photo

Dear Black Girl and Artist Mixer - Net working events were held in smaller spaces to heighten awareness for the installation. These mixers also gave women an opportunity to share their creative projects with one another. The idea is also to create a safe space for all women to share creative ideas and network.
Mixer Installation

A small installation was designed for a women's empowerment group Artist Talk and Mixer

Personal Work & Community Commissions

In each Season my work has taken on a different meaning. You are witnessing a few works throughout my varies seasons while focusing on many projects and personal work that matter to me.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cHzGZe7eUT4EnDj17

Motzi Bread Installation 2020

The Motzi Bread Bakery Installation was a commissioned project from the owners of the neighborhood staple that makes fresh pastries, bread and so much more. The owners Russell and Mya wanted commissioned butterflies and a personalized mosaic that is consistent throughout the Harwood . They also desired a wheat themed commission for the inside of the Bakery.
Miss Ida - Women in the South

Miss Ida is a community installation that was curated while working in community throughout my residency in Collington Square in Baltimore City. This is a portrait of another artist which tells the story of Miss Ida growing up in the south. It was accompanied by her narratives through audio entitled, Women in the South are Much Stronger.
Portait of Josephine.jpg

Throughout my work over the years I have always been inspired by many black women. Josephine Baker has truly inspired my earlier paintings.
African Mosaics Inspired Decorative Chair

African Art has always been an influence in my work. Decorative Chair
Self Portrait

Self Portrait.
Mosaic Mirror and Tile Stairs

Mosaics glass and tile stairs. In every season y work may be inspired by the collected materials that are more often donated by community and or friends.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cHzGZe7eUT4EnDj17
Curated Spaces.jpg

In my personal work I have always loved collected recycled objects to be used in other people's curated space. This is a designed bedroom. My work has always flowed in where my passion is in every season.
Motzi Bread Inside Panel.jpg

Often times I am commissioned to do personal work for businesses or individuals in community. Here is an inside panel designed for a community bread business.
Motzi Bread Installation

Often times I am commissioned to do personal work for businesses in the community.
Glass Chairs.jpg

Using recycled furniture has always been a part of my process. These are glass mosaic and African inspired chairs.

Dear Black Girl- Love Letters to My Sisters

Dear Black Girl Part 2- Love Letters to My Sister's is an installation and performance piece affirming the gifts and experiences of Black and brown women. Inspired by the poem, " A Black Girls Country," by poet, film maker, and dancer Nia June, Tamara explores the idea of "Home." The collaboration affords Black women the opportunity to share their journey through their own narratives. The collaboration of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, audio, video and found objects are combined to explore Black and brown womenhood through poetry, music, fashion, and dance. This exhibition is intended to serve as a space of healing, allow Black and brown women to explore self while honoring their own processes in a safe space. In addition, the curated space of vibrant textiles allows the women the opportunity to pay homage to all of the women that have come before them. It affords diverse viewers the opportunity to become a witness in their journey of healing, restoration and celebration.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvPv7e2PBuZ/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==

https://bmorenews.com/video/dear-black-girl-letters-to-my-sisters/

https://bmorenews.com/news/tamara-paynes-dear-black-girl-letters-to-my-sisters/?fbclid=IwAR1VvtFItyicngLsyYwEtcB-MXDM1gieJgNzbiA4Srm9EYdvzBKMz4kFepg
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwERDaPsSOm/?igshid=M2MyMzgzODVlNw==

https://youtu.be/M5mabXuCx-o?si=_KMjgz5fBsdmpdOX

https://www.youtube.com/live/yZnPWHp2lMY?si=Un3PJahlu2CXq1FR

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwXH8ZOgyDI/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvW-4w5gMd2/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

Dear Black Girl Exhibition & Performance - Love letters to my Sister's 2023

In this exhibition it was important for the women to be seen as an extension to the installation. "The Black women are the art." The procession of Black women began at the Motor House and marched into the Sheila & Richard Riggs Gallery across the street. The intension was to film the women while people in the Baltimore streets became audience members as well.

https://bmorenews.com/video/dear-black-girl-letters-to-my-sisters/

https://bmorenews.com/news/tamara-paynes-dear-black-girl-letters-to-my-sisters/?fbclid=IwAR1VvtFItyicngLsyYwEtcB-MXDM1gieJgNzbiA4Srm9EYdvzBKMz4kFepg
MICA #2_MFAST_OutsideIn-24.jpg

Dear Black Girl Part 2 is an evolved curated space that speaks to the black women's inner child. It eludes that inside of each black women there still live that little Black girl. Inspired by Dr. LaShay Harvey's essay An Ode to Sensuality during Black Girlhood.

“A lot of the “bad” and “good” habits, preferences, joy, and pleasure that we experience in our Black womanhood are directly connected to experiences from our Black girlhood.”
MICA #5_MFAST_OutsideIn-20.jpg

Tamara explores the idea of “Home.” The collaboration affords women the opportunity to share their journey through their own narratives. The collaboration of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, audio, video & found objects are combined to explore Black and brown womanhood through poetry, music, fashion, and dance. In this installation unlike the first it included photos of family and other personal memories of Black girlhood.
MICA #6_MFAST_OutsideIn-23 (1).jpg

The collaboration of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, audio, video & found objects are combined to explore Black and brown womanhood through poetry, music, fashion, and dance. In this installation unlike the first it included photos of family (her mom as a little girl) and other personal memories of Black girlhood.
Gems Baltimore.jpg

Gem Baltimore Artist Talk -The safe space is curated so that Black women and girls can have a safe space to have conversations about their personal journey's. Gem Baltimore is an empowerment group for young Black Girls in Baltimore City.
Dear Black Girl Set 2

The installation is designed around the performance piece for the women. The dress form in the front holds the skirt that is worn by Tamara Payne during the performance. Many of the women during the performance were able to wear Yelestitches original designs. The skirt is a collaboration between Nigerian Fashion designer, Yelestitches and Tamara Payne. The skirt is created from the first installation of Dear Black Girl.
Dear Black Girl Part 2 Installation Detail

Details of Dear Black Girl Part 2 - There are several pieces that are in both installations. The objects are altered a bit to continue to intrigue the viewers eve more with materials used. This details included African braided hair.
Dear Black Girl Performance - Audience View

The crowd in the Gallery Space was should to shoulder. All participants that were inside of the space and outside in the audience were truly engaged during the performance.
Dear Black Girl Dance

Performances by Black women evoked so much emotion. As one women said, "We had church!" The performances of spoken word and dance along with fashion truly allowed others to see the light and value in all Black women.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvPv7e2PBuZ/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==
MICA_Skirt-MFAST_OutsideIn-19.jpg

Performance Skirt made from recycled fabrics from the first installation. This was a collaboration between Nigerian Designer, Yelestitches and Tamara Payne

Dear Black Girl - Love Letters to My Sister's. Additional Performances, Details and Events

Dear Black Girl – Love Letters to My Sister’s, is an installation and performance piece affirming the gifts and experiences of Black and brown women. Inspired by the poem, “A Black Girl’s Country,” by poet, film maker, and dancer Nia June, Tamara explores the idea of “Home.” The collaboration affords women the opportunity to share their journey through their own narratives. The collaboration of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, audio, video & found objects are combined to explore Black and brown womanhood through poetry, music, fashion, and dance. This exhibition is intended to serve as a space of healing, allow Black and brown women to explore self while honoring their own processes in a safe space. In addition, the curated space of vibrant textiles allows the women the opportunity to pay homage to all the women that have come before them. It affords diverse viewers the opportunity to become a witness in their journey of healing and celebration.

LED Board link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XPOKKcH3D6-UM7DLEYjdeKnky06gDE-T/view?usp=sharing

Every Black Woman Needs Her Tribe | Dear Black Girl

Dear Black Girl performance docunmentation
MotorHouse Performance 2.jpg

Through a visual display and performance Tamara collaborates with Nigerian Artist, Yele Stitches who honors her African culture through African textiles. The Women of the Dear Black Girl performance relives the experience to open up the fashion show for Yelestitches and her collection in the summer of August 2023 at the Motor House, an artist residency for other artists in Baltimore City.
Dear Black Girl July 2023 Exhibition Photo shoot

Dear Black Girl Performance & Photoshoot - A big part of the experience and installation for black women is to create an experience for the Black women that were a part of the performances. Photoshoots were done to heighten the needed self care part of the experience and day. This photo shoot was taken before the summer exhibition in July of 2023.
Dear Black Girl Self Portrait

Dear Black Girl Photoshoot - Empowerment for all of the women during each performance was essential. Photoshoots were provided by Motor House Photographer Jazzystudios, a resident artist for each performance. Collaborations with many artists is essential for each installation and performance.
The Motor House Performance

Collaborations with dancers and poets were a part of the Motor House experience for the installations and performance.
Motor House Photoshoot Paula and Marsha J.

Collaborations with other women and artists dancers was essential. Having all Black women and girls was very important. These two influential women are just a few of the backbone in a Baltimore community of Black women creatives.
Portrait of Aya. Motor House Experience

Artist and influencer Aya, is one of the many young Baltimore community of Black women creatives. Many of the ideas and happenings of Dear Black Girl is influenced by other artists as women in community.
Charles Street LED Board

Baltimore's Charles Street LED board Fall of 2023
Dear Black Girl Artist Collaboration

During the entire process of Dear Black Girl there are always other artists that become collaborators in this process. This skirt full of recycled African textiles was a collaboration between Tamara Payne and Nigerian designer Yele Stitches. This skirt was created for the performance piece for the summer exhibition of 2023, All women were asked to wear African inspired textiles for the exhibition. They become a greater part of the entire curated exhibition.
Dear Black Girl Motor House 2023 Photo shoot

For each performance the women are documented in individual and group photos. This is a part of the process to empower the Black women. This photo shoot was in August of 2023. The women and young girls alter depending on who shows up for the performances. All Black and brown women are welcome to take part in the performance. All people are welcome to witness these performances.

Dear Black Girl Sewing Seeds Fall 2023,

In the Fall of 2023 Dear Black Girl – Sewing Seeds, is a curated quilted installation honoring the insight and wisdom passed on by our ancestors and our spiritual mothers here on this earth. This installation continues the tradition of collaboration with other Black women and artists. Inspired by the song, “On My Mama,” by artist Victoria Monet, Tamara continues to explore the idea of her own evolution through the memories of her mother and the women that have assisted her in “becoming.” She allows other Black and brown women and artists the opportunity to join in on the conversation about seeds from their mothers. The combination of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, video & found objects are combined to explore the beauty in the relationships of Black and brown womanhood.

The collaboration affords women the opportunity to explore gifted memories and conversations about the women that they too cherish and love the most. In this conversation Tamara also collaborates with other artists in music, show murals and poetry to create spaces that honor our mothers through continued visual arts experiences. Artist Akio Evans of Glorious Hero's (shoe muralist), artist @coolintentions (musician), @blkbu_tterfly88 (bodice - fashion designer) and poetry by artist Aneski Ana Kemsit perform on the reception day.

This exhibition is intended to serve as a space of healing. In addition, the space affords diverse viewers the opportunity to become a witness in their journey of celebration these women.

See the links below.

Sewing Seeds Reception: below

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzI9mPwu7OR/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

Akio Evans Glorious Hero's shoe murals is a brand that honors his mother- Akio Evans was commissioned in a collaboration in designing shoes that honor my mother. See details below:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0IZmBLsyt9/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CynO-p5udM5/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

Inspiration:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyYFxWrOcx5/?igshid=NmJiYWZiY2E0Mg==

Sewing Seeds - Tiffany

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Sewing Seeds - Tonette H.

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Sewing Seeds - Maisha Y.

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Sewing Seeds Reni O.

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Sewing Seeds - Tamara P.

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Sewing Seeds - Karmen B.

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles, objects and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Anike R. Sewing Seeds

Sewing Seeds is an installation of African Textiles and video collaged as a quilt of Black women sharing the seeds of wisdom from our mothers and the women that we hold dear to our hearts. It allows us to share our wisdom that has been passed down and feel empowered in the world that may not always value who we are.
Dear Black Girl Flyer

Dear Black Girl – Sewing Seeds, is a quilted installation honoring the insight and wisdom passed on by our ancestors and our spiritual mothers here on this earth. Inspired by the song, “On My Mama,” by artist Victoria Monet, Tamara continues to explore the idea of her own evolution through the memories of her mother and the women that have assisted her in “becoming.” She allows other Black and brown women the opportunity to join in on the conversation. The combination of embroidered quotes, images, African textiles, video & found objects are combined to explore the beauty in the relationships of Black and brown womanhood. The collaboration affords women the opportunity to explore gifted memories and conversations about the women that they cherish and love the most.

This exhibition is intended to serve as a space of healing. In addition, the space affords diverse viewers the opportunity to become a witness in their journey of celebration these women.