On view: January 9 - February 8, 2025
Closing Reception + Workshop: Sat., February 8, 2-7pm
Opening Reception: Thurs., January 9, 5:30-8pm
Artist Talk: Thurs., January 9, 6:30-8pm

Curated by Ruddy Mejia

Exhibiting artists include Debbie Ali, Sakura Abdel-Rahman, Edwin "Enoch" Sanchez, Ivan Velez Jr.

Workshop on Comics, Character Design & Drawing with Ivan Velez Jr.
February 8, 2-4 PM workshop & Closing talk 4:30-5:30pm
Unleash Your Creativity and Bring Your Characters to Life!

Dive into the world of comics and character design at the Drawn to Life workshop! Whether you're a beginner or looking to level up your skills, this hands-on session will guide you through the fundamentals of creating compelling characters and dynamic stories. Learn how to turn your ideas into illustrations that tell a story, from sketch to final design.

The workshop is free! All materials provided; no previous experience necessary!

Workshop Highlights:

• Comics 101: Discover the basics of comic book storytelling, from panel layout to visual storytelling techniques.

• Character Design: Learn how to create unique, memorable characters with personality and depth.

• Drawing Techniques: Step-by-step tutorials on sketching, inking, and adding details.

• Interactive Practice: Guided exercises to help you put theory into practice.

• Feedback & Support: Get personalized tips and advice from experienced instructors to take your drawings to the next level.

Who Can Attend:

• Artists of all skill levels!

• Aspiring comic book creators and character designers.

• Anyone with a passion for drawing and storytelling.

Drawn to Life brings together the works of four contemporary illustrators whose work is inspired by themes of tradition, fantasy, and physical relationships to one's body. Using illustration as an entry point, these artists create visual narratives being told through a diverse lens interpreted by their personal experiences and cultural references. The exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to explore storytelling in ways that are deeply personal yet universally resonant, making Drawn to Life a rich tapestry of voices and visions.

Despite coming from different generations, cultural backgrounds, and stages in their careers spanning emerging to established—these artists share a unifying commitment to their craft. Each brings a signature style, weaving together a tapestry of experiences that reflect the intersections of time, race, age, and culture. Their work reveals the depth and complexity of human experience while celebrating the individuality inherent in visual storytelling.

Featuring the works of Debbie Ali, Sakura Abdel-Rahman, Edwin "Enoch" Sanchez, and Ivan Velez, the artists showcase the vast possibilities within the realm of illustration. Their practices span a wide range of techniques and mediums, from traditional pencil drawing and ink to digital art, comics, manga, and mixed media. Drawn to Life represents the full spectrum of diversity in contemporary illustration, celebrating the unique ways in which these artists merge technique with narrative to create dynamic and engaging visual worlds.

Debbie Ali's book arts practice, addresses feminist and queer issues, conveying complex ideas with creativity and depth. Utilizing horror vacui—filling every surface with intricate details—Sakura Abdel-Rahman creates small, dense prints featuring stars, flowers, Japanese familial iconography, sorcery, calligraphy, and personal writings, often embedding secrets and memories into their work. Edwin "Enoch" Sanchez's drawings merge the visual traditions of Western and Eastern comics to explore themes of struggle, the hero’s journey, and Christianity. Ivan Velez Jr. employs the accessible medium of cartooning to dissect national history and celebrate the power and beauty of diverse cultural identities, fostering social change.

Ruddy Mejia, is a Bronx-based artist, curator, teaching artist, and art specialist with 13 years of experience in art education. He is also the Facilities Manager of the Bx Arts Factory. Mejia has worked with a variety of arts institutions such as Bronx Museum, Bronx House Inc, Free Arts NYC, Bronx Children’s Museum, to name a few. As an artist, Ruddy’s practice is a range of mediums- from illustration to painting to taxidermy to merchandise design. Ruddy’s illustrative work explores themes of mental health and trauma, many from which are personal life experiences.

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis 

In these newly collected essays, interviews, and speeches, world-renowned activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis illuminates the connections between struggles against state violence and oppression throughout history and around the world.

Faced with a world of outrageous injustice, Davis challenges us to imagine and build a movement for human liberation. In doing so, she reminds us that "Freedom is a constant struggle."

Meetings at BronxArtSpace:
Saturdays, 12 - 1:30pm: Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, & Mar 1
Click here to register
2/1: Introductions & book giveaway
2/8: Chapters 1-3, pgs 1-50
2/15: Chapters 4-5, pgs 51-76
2/22: Chapters 6-8, pgs 77-110
3/1: Chapters 9-10, pgs 111-146

Meetings on Zoom:
Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30pm: Feb 4, 11, 18, & 25
Click here to register
2/4: Chapters 1-3, pgs 1-50
2/11: Chapters 4-5, pgs 51-76
2/18: Chapters 6-8, pgs 77-110
2/25: Chapters 9-10, pgs 111-146

On view: February 15 - March 15, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2-6pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, March 1, 4-6pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, March 15, 2-6pm