Creativity takes on countless forms: from brushstrokes and beats to words and movement. The beauty of art is that every form of creativity is shaped by the diverse souls who bring it to life.
BrownStyle Magazine was recently invited to experience RAW: Philadelphia’s “Unfiltered: Pure Expression”— a thoughtfully crafted showcase created by Renee Wilson to celebrate “culture, artistry, and collaboration.”
“It’s about breaking silos and building bridges where a rapper might connect with a fashion designer, a painter with a poet, and a dancer with a photographer,” Wilson shares with BrownStyle Magazine exclusively. “At its core, this is about community—a place where creativity is currency and connection is power.”
RAW spotlights independent talent in visual art, film, fashion & accessories design, music, performance art, beauty, crafts, tech, and photography. The recent event gathered a striking mix of talent, from the heart of Philly to the coasts of LA and NYC. There were even creators who traveled from Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Canada to participate in the showcase.
The Vibe Of The Night
Each creative was given space to reveal, in full frame, what “Unfiltered: Pure Expression” meant through the raw language of their art.
Thanks to the diversity of artists showcasing at this event, I had the unique opportunity to engage with creators from different walks of life and find out what pure expression means to each of them.
Meli’sa Grier, a professional dancer who holds a Master’s degree from Drexel University in Dance Movement Therapy, put on a stunning and riveting performance with her dance group, “The Dolls.”
I was able to catch up to her after her performance and chat about what pure expression means to her in dance. Her answer surprised me because of how graceful, elegant, and poised she was during her performance.
The dancer, who has been dancing since the age of three, responded, “I feel like it’s a very convoluted question, just because dance for me is very practical. Everybody moves in their own way, and even if they don’t think of it as a dance, there’s a sequence to it. We interact and express ourselves through movement. For me, that’s pure in itself. I love being very grounded in dancing.”
I also spoke with Marissa Wynn, a multi-hyphenate creator who paints, writes, illustrates, designs apparel, and tattoos. Wynn, who goes by the creative name of Neenie Creates, shared that she believes pure expression is the best way to be your most honest self.
Wynn explained that she was inspired to celebrate the female form in her paintings after giving birth to two beautiful children, who are 18 months apart.
“For me, I paint a lot of feminine figures and body shapes. I’m a strong believer in femininity, daintiness, and softness,” she explained about her body-positive artwork that helped her reclaim and find beauty in herself postpartum. “I love expressing my emotions. Whatever I’m feeling and I’m thinking inspires a more in-depth piece.”
Art Knows No Limits
Another visual artist who brought both incredible energy and talent to the showcase was Corey Dixon, who goes by the artist name of EyeD. During the event, the multimedia visual artist allowed eventgoers and art appreciators to see the incredible pen sketches he drew in a repurposed book.
Dixon shared that while some of his work is physically interactive, he hopes that those who experience his art take their time in building their perception of what it means to them. He holds the belief that to give people the opportunity to build their own perception and perspective of his work is also to give them the opportunity to become artists themselves.
Janayah Davis, the owner and baker at Batter Up Shop, blessed eventgoers with customized cupcakes and cake jars that were as delicious as they looked. The secret ingredient to her delicious confections? Love!
“Pure expression means allowing yourself, your energy, and your magic to flow through whatever it is you’re creating,” Davis shared with us. “It goes into anything that you touch— whether that be designing a cake, creating a new flavor for a cake, or designing new merchandise for customers to wear while they’re cooking in the kitchen.”
The Fashion
Another way creativity manifested itself at Unfiltered: Pure Expression was through a number of talented fashion designers who presented bold designs during a live and engaging fashion show. Each piece that graced the carpet was a reflection of self-expression and was rich in texture, color, and attitude.
I caught up with one of the designers after the event to ask about her inspiration and learn more about her work. I was impressed to learn that Patti Hooks, whose business goes by the name of Twistd Stitchz, has been crocheting for 25 years.
The designer shared that she began crocheting original clothing designs in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. “As an artist, I love what I do! I love the direction my art is going. As it grows, I grow. I’m happy to express that pure side of me with others,” Hooks shared. “Pure expression is being your authentic self and sharing it with others.”
My Takeaway
As someone who knows the language of pure expression intimately, I applaud Wilson for masterfully bringing together a remarkable group of creatives who use their mind, heart, and passion to create masterpieces.
Although I didn’t have the chance to connect with each artist individually, I truly enjoyed the talent and passion that echoed throughout the space!
To learn more about RAW, visit rawartists.com.
