In today’s world, where it often feels like everything is unraveling all at once, art can seem like an afterthought. Politics rage. Displacement continues. Systems collapse. And yet, in the middle of it all, artists keep creating. Not because it’s easy. Not because the world asks them to. But because they must. Because in many ways, “only action can save you.”
That quote, shared by artist Manuel Ramos during our conversation at the RAW Vibes: The Culture Exhibit Artist Showcase, isn’t just a catchy phrase from James Clear’s self-help book, Atomic Habits. It’s a mantra for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of the world and decided to move anyway.
This spirit of forward movement, of raw and unfiltered cultural expression, was at the heart of RAW Vibes, a vibrant multi-disciplinary event envisioned and produced by Ehtyl B to introduce attendees to the people behind the art.
“I wanted to create a platform that celebrates and highlights the richness of cultural expression,” she shared, adding she drew inspiration from her deep connection to her Liberian roots. “Not just from Liberia, but from many different backgrounds.”
During the event, I had the opportunity to speak with four creatives— working across metalwork, dance, portraiture, painting, and mixed media— to learn why they continue to create. Each of their voices affirmed that art is not a luxury; art is preservation. Art is proof that we are still here.
Art As Resistance
For Manuel Ramos, art is more than expression; it’s a form of protest. A portrait artist and photographer based in Delaware, Manuel doesn’t shy away from politics. “When they start to censor stuff, the artist takes the torch. We’re the ones responsible for putting up the hieroglyphics in the cave, capturing the history,” he explains.
His words echo in the work of Dollie Michelle of Cocoa Canvas, a visual artist and social worker who uses her art to make space for Black and Brown women in an industry that often overlooks them. “The art world is very segregated,” she says. “My goal is to showcase Black women in art and put them into spaces where we’ve been excluded.”
These are exactly the types of artists Ehtyl B carefully sought when curating RAW Vibes. “Each artist was chosen for their ability to authentically represent their craft and for their passion in sharing culture and creativity with others,” she explains. “The title ‘RAW Vibes’ reflects the authenticity and creativity of the artists— real, unfiltered, and full of cultural pride.”
Dollie and Manuel’s creative practices push back against a society that often tries to erase stories like theirs. They create to be seen, yes, but also to remind others that they deserve to be seen too. “I think it’s a responsibility,” Manuel says. “Somebody has to do it.”
Art As Reclamation
Sometimes, creating isn’t just about resistance. Sometimes, it’s about building, reclaiming, and remembering who we were before the world told us otherwise.
For Antima, founder of Bollywood Tech Philly, dance became a way to plant roots in a new city. “When I moved to Philadelphia in 2014, I was looking to build the dance community here,” she recalls. “At first, it was just the three of us. We kept dancing, believing the community would recognize what we wanted to do.”
Today, her company has over 30 dancers and has performed everywhere from Sixers games to the Lincoln Financial Field. Even with the fanfare and accolades, Antima is clear on her mission to build community. “Culture is the driving force for change and rebellion. Ultimately, culture wins,” she says.
The belief that creative culture shapes the future also fuels metal artist Nkrumah Jennings, who started making jewelry nearly three decades ago, just before his daughter was born. “I’m an 80s kid,” he tells me, laughing. “My work is inspired by that era, big earrings, bold energy.” But his pieces aren’t just nostalgic. They’re functional, wearable, and deeply intentional.
“Creativity is part of the foundation of what’s real,” he says. “The world might feel like it’s falling apart, but what’s falling is the facade. The real will remain.”
RAW Vibes was an intentional space where these reclaimed truths could be honored.
Art As Remembrance
Every artist I spoke with, in some way, touched on memory— whether personal, ancestral, or collective. Nkruman holds the past in his palms when he shapes metal into elegant curves. Dollie feels joy and validation when others see themselves in her work, and Manuel is currently preparing for his first major gallery show, a deeply personal series about dementia, inspired by his grandmothers.
To create in this way is to say: This mattered. They mattered. I matter.
My Final Thoughts
Maybe that’s what art is all about. In a world that constantly demands our labor, our silence, our exhaustion, these artists have chosen to show up with color, with rhythm, with form. They are reminding us not only of who we are, but who we could be, if we let creation lead us.
There’s a quiet revolution happening. It’s not always loud or obvious. Sometimes its earrings forged in fire. Sometimes it’s a painting about memory. Sometimes it’s three friends dancing in a studio, hoping someone will see. But it’s happening.
These four artists, Manuel, Dolly, Antima, and Nkrumah, are part of it. And thanks to visionaries like Ehtyl B, who continues to curate space for radical creativity, they are not alone in it.
“RAW Vibes is more than just an artist showcase, it’s a movement to celebrate culture, unity, and creativity,” Ehtyl said. “We want attendees to feel inspired, connected, and proud of the beauty that comes from cultural diversity.”
The next RAW showcase, Philly Noir: A RAW Affair, will take place on October 4th, and promises to continue this wave of cultural celebration. If RAW Vibes were any indication, it will be bold, brilliant, and deeply moving.
So, if you’re an artist feeling tired, discouraged, or invisible, remember what Manuel said: Only action can save you.
Start. Keep going. Post anyway. Create anyway. That’s how we win!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
