Visual Artists

There is a reason it is called the West Oak Lane Jazz & ARTS Festival. We have rounded up some of the most talented artists in the world of ethnic art and created the feast-for-the-eyes Art Pavilion, featuring the works of Poncho Brown, Adrienne Mills, Dane Tilghman, Deborah Shedrick and Jose Sebourne.

Throughout the day you can mix, mingle and join in workshops led by these groundbreaking artists. And bring your credit card. With so many extraordinary works on display, you are sure to find something you can’t live without.

• To see a complete Festival schedule, click here.
• If you are interested in exhibiting at this year’s Festival, please click here.

2009 Featured Visual Artists

(partial list)

• Poncho Brown
  The Festival welcomes back Poncho Brown for the third straight year as he develops a masterpiece in front of attendees. Mr. Brown is a highly prolific artist, working in acrylics, oils, sculpture, art on tile, as well as mixed media.
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• Adrienne Mills
  invites this year’s Festival attendees to come and experience the wonders of Body Art.  Mills will use models and willing participants to showcase her talents of using the human body as a canvas.
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• Dane Tilghman
  Tilghman is one of the premier painters of African American, whose images are inspired from daily life, popular entertainment, and the world of sports. He has exhibited his works throughout the United States at art festivals, galleries, trade shows, convention centers and sports arenas where he has received numerous awards.
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• Jose A. Sebourne
  Sebourne is a local artist who has been fortunate to have his work shown in galleries and museums both locally and nationally. Today, the Jose Sebourne Art Gallery features the work of several local artists, with styles including: Abstract, Realism, Mixed Media, Contemporary Abstract, and African sculpture.
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Poncho Brown: Visual Presentation

Larry "Poncho" Brown is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He pursued his art education at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1984. He started his first business at the age of 17 as a signwriter, and has been a full-time artist ever since. Much of his early sign work was featured on television commercials and movies including Barry Levinson's "Avalon."

His art, both fine and commercial, has been published nationally in Upscale, Ebony, Ebony Man, Essence, and Jet magazines. The young artist's work adorns the walls of the likes of Dick Gregory, Anita Baker, Bill Cosby, Susan Taylor, and Bernard Bronner to name a few. His most popular artwork, titled "Black is Black," and works from "Egyptian Queens" series have been featured on the former hit TV show "A Different World." "Sidesteppin" was featured on the HBO mini series "Laurie Avenue," and "One Love" has been featured on "In The House.”

He is the youngest honorary member of Art 2000, a national multi-cultural visual arts association. Among his convictions is educating young artists. His is the founder of "The African American Youth Art Exhibition" which has been sponsored in Baltimore annually since 1990. He is also one of the founders of Artistic Legacy, which sponsors art workshops with students featuring artists nationwide. "My goal is to provide an outlet for young artists to express themselves, as well as enlighten them on the importance of art in culture."

Admirers often cite rhythm, movement, and unity as favorite elements in his work. He primarily works in acrylic, although he uses a variety of mediums and styles to express his interests in Afrocentric themes, Ancient Egyptology and dance. Poncho's unique style combines past and present art stylizations to create a sense of realism, mysticism, and beauty, which gives his art universal appeal.

Adrienne Mills: Body/Face Painting (Continuous Painting)

Adrienne Mills, noted proprietor of Figure Photos in Washington, DC, is back for a third year and will demonstrate her intricate body painting designs on a variety of models and willing Festival attendees. Models wear tube and tank tops that will also be painted along with the body.

To paint her models, she will use acrylics and theatrical makeup. Tools that will be used to create the signature designs will include brushes and stamps. Mills, in her own words, offers tips to interested body painting artists, "Airbrush is quicker and great for longer lasting body paint. It will not come off with things anyone touches. Theatrical makeup is a little better than regular makeup, but it doesn’t stay as much as acrylics."

Mills further explains, "As for airbrush templates, I use just about anything that has an interesting edge. I have used a utility knife to cut shapes from Styrofoam plates. I have also worked with torn and folded paper, cardboard cutouts, plastic food storage lids and containers. I have also used net stockings and rulers and I will use just about anything I can hold in place with one hand while airbrushing with the other." She adds, "Two or three colors and designs will create a great signature piece of work. One does not need to have experience or have an elaborate amount of money."

After each demonstration, models will mingle and take pictures with Festival attendees.

Dane Tilghman: Visual Artist

"Using paint and pencil I create full color narratives calibrating the common moments of humanity chronicled thru nostalgic black and white photography."

Dane Tilghman has taken his artwork towards new dimensions going from realism to a stylish combination developing his own interpretations of surrealism and primitive elongation. He has established himself as one of the premier painters of African American Art. He has a creative approach to artistic images of the common man, woman and child. Tilghman's images are inspired by African Americans in and out of daily life, popular entertainment, and the world of sports. He has exhibited his works throughout the United States at art festivals, galleries, trade shows, convention centers and sports arenas where he has received numerous awards.

His work has been exhibited at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and also in one-man shows at Howard University, Widener University, West Chester University, University of Pennsylvania, Penn State and the Butler Institute of Fine Art in Youngstown, Ohio. He was recently commissioned to create artwork for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey that would be displayed throughout the arena's public spaces, private suites and corporate offices.

Collectors of Tilghman's artwork include notables such as Dave Winfield, Nelson Mandela, Bill Cosby, the estate of Ossie Davis, Nabisco Corporation and Astra-Zeneca. In 2004 Kutztown University commissioned him for a commemorative poster for the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education.

Tilghman's creative philosophy is to bring to the audience his interpretative views of life on canvas. This is
reflected in his diverse presentations as he shares his artistic gift with his audience. His unique style clearly
defines his mastery of the craft.

Jose Sebourne: Visual Artist

Jose Sebourne is a native of Costa Rica, Central America. At age 6, Jose watched a local artist draw a portrait of a young man. He was amazed at the sight of a drawing coming to life on paper. It was an event that he would never forget.

At the age of 10, Jose migrated with his family to the United States, settling in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jose's talent was discovered by one of his Jr. High School Teachers, Judith Gross, who sought
further instruction for Jose at the local high school. The faculty at Bassick High School created a special art program designed solely to develop Jose's unique talent. While carrying the standard curriculum in junior high, Jose also received extensive instruction in Art history and techniques at Bassick High on a half-day basis for three years.

At age 16, Jose received citywide recognition when he was commissioned to direct the creation of a mural, which is on permanent display in the Bridgeport City Hall.

Jose attended the University of Bridgeport where he received additional training in watercolors by watercolorist August Madrigal. After completing a year at the University of Bridgeport, Jose then transferred to Temple University, Tyler School of Art in Elkins Park Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certification.

After graduation Jose did freelance graphic design for many Philadelphia area agencies in addition to working as a substitute teacher for the Philadelphia Board of Education. He then accepted a position at Prudential AARP Operations in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, as a Graphic Designer. While at Prudential, Jose rose to the ranks of Senior Graphic Designer where his unique talent became a valuable asset to one of America's largest corporations.

Jose has been fortunate to have his work shown in galleries and Museums both locally and nationally. During the nineties his work was an intricate part of the Philadelphia Art Scene. The Dizyners gallery in Philadelphia exhibited six of Jose's dazzling watercolors, The Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum featured Jose's work along with five other Philadelphia artists and he also had the distinction of having his art displayed as part of The Philadelphia Art at City Hall. The Rosenfeld Gallery also located in Philadelphia hosted his first one-man show with over 25 of Jose's brilliant watercolors. The Phillip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, Collegeville Pennsylvania hosted the Philadelphia Watercolor Societies international exhibition where he was awarded a monetary prize. His work has also hung in the Hershey Museum of Art and Culture and the State's Capital Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Jose was accepted in the American Watercolor Society show in New York City. His work traveled with the society across the United States to nine different art institutions with its first stop at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Main and the last stop at Tullahoma Fine Arts Center in Tennessee. Jose has also been exhibited in the Red River Watercolor Society 2nd Annual National exhibition in Minnesota at Moorehead State University Dille Center for the Arts. He has shown at Gloucester County College Art Gallery, Atlantic City Art Museum as well as the National Black Art Show in Atlanta Georgia.

Jose was formerly on the board and is still an active member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society and The North East Watercolor Society. In 2004 Jose was commissioned by the University of Pennsylvania to produce three awards to be presented to The Governor, a Congressman, and a Physician for their support for the fight against HIV/AIDS. His production of the award was such a success that the University chose his creation to be the annual representation for this event. Also in 2004 Jose was the recipient of the African American Visual Artist Master Artist Award for the Tri-State Area. Jose currently operates his own gallery in center city Philadelphia. Call for an appointment to see additional works.