Maplewood, NJ – January 31, 2025 – Artist Simone Anthony-Brown has been selected as one of the featured artists in two Black History Month exhibitions: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Black History Month Art Exhibition in Princeton, NJ, and the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Black History Month Exhibit in East Hanover, NJ. These exhibitions, curated by respected arts organizations, will highlight Anthony-Brown’s thought-provoking mixed media collages alongside other selected artists.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Black History Month Art Exhibition

Curated by Kiakoma Roberts, CEO of Kre8tive Konsultant, this exhibition runs February 5– February 27, 2025, at RWJF’s headquarters in Princeton, NJ. Themed "Labor: Giving Birth to Resilience, Equity, and Community," the show explores Black history, identity, and health equity.

Anthony-Brown’s work, Sacred Beginnings, honors Black mothers, addressing themes of love, protection, and prenatal equity. Layering recycled paintings, black-and-white imagery, prepared papers, oil pastels, and acrylic paint, the piece represents the complexities of motherhood. Four symbolic circles signify wholeness, unity, and interconnectedness, while collaged text—a prayer for Black children—amplifies a call for equity and justice.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Black History Month Exhibit with Art in the Atrium (ATA)

Running February 7–March 7, 2025, at the Novartis campus in East Hanover, NJ, this exhibition is curated in partnership with Art in the Atrium, Inc. (ATA) and curators Simone Craig and Charles Craig.

Anthony-Brown’s featured works include:

• Legacy Woven, a striking addition to her Echoes of Heritage series, this larger piece blends recycled paintings, gold leaf, and hand-prepared papers, with embedded messages such as “Protect Black People” and “Black Lives Matter”, reinforcing themes of justice, heritage, and resilience.

• Crowned Resistance, this piece juxtaposes black and white imagery with a bold, layered background created from recycled paintings, printed papers, and found materials. A central crown motif symbolizes the weight and honor of resistance, emphasizing themes of identity and empowerment.

“It is truly an honor to have my work featured in not just one, but two Black History Month exhibitions,” said Anthony-Brown. “Both exhibitions celebrate Black history, culture, and resilience, and I’m grateful to contribute to these conversations through my art. It is my hope that my work resonates with viewers, sparks reflection, and inspires a deeper appreciation for the strength and beauty of the Black experience.”

Both exhibitions highlight Anthony-Brown’s commitment to using art as a vehicle for advocacy, storytelling, and cultural reflection, reinforcing the role of Black artists in shaping conversations about history, identity, and equity.

For more information about Simone Anthony-Brown and her work, visit www.expressyourselfstudiosllc.com.

About Simone Anthony-Brown

Simone Anthony-Brown is a mixed media artist and founder of Express Yourself Studios, a creative service organization established in 2008 that facilitates art events and workshops for community organizations and corporations. Her work explores themes of cultural heritage, equity, and advocacy, and has been exhibited across the U.S. and is part of private collections in the U.S. and Canada.

About Express Yourself Studios

Founded in 2008, Express Yourself Studios is a creative service organization offering art events and workshops for community organizations and corporations, fostering creativity, engagement, and artistic expression. Through its programming, Express Yourself Studios provides meaningful art experiences that inspire collaboration and connection.