Editor’s note: When not photographing with MLK50: Justice Through Journalism or creating her own beautiful work, Ariel J. Cobbert teaches 2D and 3D art to students at the Collegiate School of Memphis. This year, she helped them develop and discuss their creative projects in honor of Soul Fest, their school’s annual celebration of Black History Month. She photographed her students with their final pieces and asked them to reflect and what drew them to create.
Art holds power. It can uplift, educate, challenge and even harm.
My students are diving into projects that embody the idea of art as a tool, one that requires thoughtfulness and responsibility.
In our lessons leading to February, I asked them to reflect on the ways art has been used throughout history to shape narratives, especially around African-American identity. Some of the earliest depictions of African-American people in this country were rooted in harmful forms such as blackface minstrel shows, where white performers used exaggerated caricatures to dehumanize and stereotype African Americans.
I’ve compiled their responses to being challenged to think critically about which narratives they feed. The result is an embracing of the privilege and responsibility of creating art with a love of self.
Harmoni | Untitled
Working on this art piece required a lot of time and attention. I believe I have great ideas for my artwork. I wanted the details on my pot to stand out instead of the pot itself. All of my time was well spent on the details. My main goals for my artwork are to add more creativity and have more craftsmanship.
Devin | “The Sunday Table”
Black culture is everywhere, but I find my culture in the sharing of a meal. Food has been a cultural staple in the Black community for generations, symbolizing coming-of-age celebrations, weddings and other special occasions. As a Black man from the South, the kitchen has been where I have learned some of my most important lessons, including patience. The design of this piece has taught me true patience.
The motivation for naming this project “The Sunday Table” was due to the importance of Sunday in the Black community. The Bible on top of my piece is one that I use for my daily readings, so it is very personal to me. I am proud of my Orange Mound heritage, so the orange was representative of this. As for the cards, some of my most important lessons have come from playing spades. Finally, the vines are a symbol of interconnectedness.
Betanya | Untitled
My work explores the complex and often painful narrative of Black bodies within the context of historical exploitation and contemporary resistance. From the transatlantic slave trade to modern-day struggles, the Black body has been a site of both physical and cultural extraction, treated as a commodity rather than an independent entity.
I use a variety of mediums to challenge the visual representations that have historically defined Blackness in reductive, dehumanizing ways. Through my art, I seek to show this reality — exposing how Black bodies have been commodified, controlled and subjugated by structures of power.
Alysia | “Flower Tea”
My artwork is my rendition of the piece “Tea for Two” by Gwendolyn Yoppolo, consisting of just one teapot with a lid. The artwork, made from clay then glazed, has smooth textures and has more spring [like] colors. I wanted my artwork to invoke feelings of happiness and energy.
My goal with this piece was to make something functional and pretty. This piece meets my goal because while it is not exactly what I envisioned, it still is pretty, and as far as I know functions well as a teapot.
Kymberly (from left), Betanya and Francesca | “Unbreakable”
Standing at 30 inches tall and 6 inches wide, the bust embodies a regal presence. The gold grillz, set with diamonds, and the door-knocker earrings reflect the self-expression and style that have defined generations. The intricately styled updo, adorned with a variety of cowrie shells, speaks to ancestral connections and the deep cultural significance of adornment in the African diaspora. This piece is a tribute to the beauty, strength and resilience of Black women. Inspired by the work of Murjoni Merriweather, we created an exaggerated bust that amplifies the features, adornments and cultural expressions that have long been symbols of identity and power within the Black community.
Deliberate cracks run through the sculpture, representing the immense pressures placed upon Black women. Society often stands against them, and the weight of stress can cause people to crack, but Black women never break. These fractures are not signs of weakness but rather evidence of endurance, a visual testament to the strength and perseverance that define Black womanhood.
Through this piece, we honor Black women — their history, their influence and their unyielding grace. Each detail is intentional, serving as both a celebration and a statement of empowerment.
Taylor | “More Hair, Grow Hair”
Something important to Black women is their hair. No, really! So for my project, I decided to do a Black woman with the main focus being her hair. Then I use the colors yellow, red, green and black to represent Black culture. African Americans have grown up and been taught that their natural hair is not enough for society. A lot of African-American women and also men have been taught to hate their hair and despise it.
The more I dive deeper into my culture and who I am, the more confident I have become in being Black, young and educated. The more I am not afraid to show my afro puffs, and my twists or wear braids. African Americans, in general, have come up with so many different styles on how to do our hair, stand out and be different.
I love being Black and I love the hair that God has given to me.
Ariel J. Cobbert is a visual artist in Memphis. Contact Ariel on her website, arieljcobbert.com.
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