In the Studio with Multidisciplinary Artist Autumn Spears
Watch Artist Interview and How One Toni Morrison Novel Inspired One of Her Artworks
Last year, I first met Washington, DC native and multidisciplinary artist Autumn Spears while I was exploring the Umbrella Art Fair, where she was participating. Since then, I have run into her at local art events and eventually at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
Spear’s artistry is the kind of work that online cannot do justice to. Her work needs to be seen and experienced in person. Primarily, Spear’s work serves as a message about the importance of reimagining Black histories and diasporic narratives through a range of media, such as fiber (e.g., braiding hair from loose to tight styles), paint, and other mixed materials (e.g., rhinestones and metals). The backdrops and specific details in her work are familiar to many Black Americans, which connects to the themes of her work.
Three years ago, Spears held her inaugural solo exhibition, “Becoming,” at the Freedman Gallery in Pennsylvania, marking her introduction to the art world. Since then, Spears’s work has been featured in the MLK Memorial Library in Washington, DC, Charles Sumner School, Anacostia Arts Center, and the Anacostia Community Museum. In 2025, Spears was awarded a DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities grant.
I had to lay the foundation for today’s newsletter to announce that I am releasing my first long-form video with the emerging artist, Autumn Spears. A special thank you to Autumn for giving me the opportunity to practice this new medium. The final thank you is to my paid readers: you have helped contribute to this project through travel costs from Baltimore to DC and using a portion of the funds to use Canva Pro to edit this video.
In July, I had the honor of visiting Autumn’s studio to dive into her art practice from then to now and focus on two works: My Mother’s Keeper and Maternal Cycles. I always believe being in an artist’s space is sacred, so this was a true privilege of mine.
If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area this month, you can experience Autumn’s work in person at the Femme Art Fair where she’ll have smaller pieces available to acquire. For those not familiar with the Femme Art Fair, it is the newest art fair in Washington, DC that aims to unite artists from across the country with collectors, brands, and civic leaders to drive real cultural momentum. 100% of artwork sales go directly to the artists and curators—a significant step for supporting women artists directly.
Opening on Thursday, August 13, at the Eaton Hotel, Spears will have a new exhibition titled Inheritance.
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Should I make this a series? Let me know in the comments.