Capturing Culture: Juneteenth Art Exhibition in Tampa Bay

Last night, I had the pleasure of photographing the Living Legacy Juneteenth Art Exhibition, and it truly felt like coming home.

A big thank you to my good friend Taleeb McDowell, General Manager of the AC Hotel Tampa Airport. When Taleeb took over the hotel three years ago, it was quite bland with that typical corporate look and lacked personality. He has worked hard to transform it by bringing in meaningful, eclectic art — especially from local talented Black artists, giving the space real character and soul.

This beautiful exhibition was curated and presented by Diaspora Fine Art, a gallery dedicated to showcasing exceptional work by artists of African descent from the continent and across the global diaspora. Their commitment to celebrating Black artistry and culture made this Juneteenth celebration even more powerful and authentic.

The evening was extra special because I got to reconnect with so many people I deeply respect and care about, friends and family I hadn’t seen in years. It was wonderful seeing Taleeb’s wife and his father again. Seeing familiar faces like Meclina Gomes and Noland Anderson, two artists whose work and character I truly admire, made the night even more meaningful. It was also great reconnecting with Kamil Peters, who I had met four years ago at another art exhibition.

What stood out most was how engaged the three artists were with the guests. Meclina, Noland, and Kamil spent the evening warmly interacting with everyone, personally explaining their creative process and the stories behind their work. That level of generosity and connection turned the exhibition into something truly special.

These are the moments I’m most passionate about capturing, real human connection, cultural pride, and community coming together.

The full photo gallery from the evening is included below.

— Jorge Chavez