When visitors step into the Zhou B Art Center this fall, they won’t be entering a typical art fair- they’ll be walking into history.
For the first time in more than two decades, Chicago will host a fine art fair led by and dedicated to Black artists. Pigmented: Black Fine Art Faire, organized by Pigment International, opens October 30 and runs through November 2. The event brings together artists, collectors, and community members for four days of exhibitions, panel discussions, and direct conversations with the people behind the work.
Featured during this long-awaited moment is the Creative Artist Association (CAA), Inc., a nonprofit based in the South Shore. Founded in 2005, the group has worked quietly but persistently to create opportunities for African American artists across the city. Its members see Pigmented not only as a showcase, but as a chance to affirm the role of Black artists in shaping Chicago’s cultural future.
“CAA has always been about more than art—it’s about voice, presence, and storytelling,” said Deleshia “Dyi” Kinney, the group’s president. “Being part of Pigmented allows us to share that vision with collectors and audiences who value the cultural narrative we’re helping to shape.”
A Mission with History
CAA was born out of frustration and hope. In 2005, artist Melvin King (1935–2023) and fellow founders Sherman Beck, Gloria Buckley, Quinton Foreman, and others saw how many talented African American artists were struggling to find exhibition space. Too often, their work was absent from major galleries and museums, and their stories went untold.
Rather than wait for an invitation, they built their own platform. From its base at the South Shore Cultural Center, CAA began hosting exhibitions, artist talks, and community events. Over time, it grew into a vital network, giving artists both visibility and a sense of belonging.
Nearly two decades later, the organization has developed a full slate of programs that comprise a blend of artistry and accessibility that make CAA unique. “We’re not only cultivating artists,” Kinney said. “We’re cultivating storytellers, truth-seekers, and cultural leaders.”
The group’s efforts were recognized in 2024, when the Ruth Arts Foundation honored CAA for its contributions and hard work to Chicago’s creative ecosystem. For members, the award confirmed what they already knew—that their work resonates far beyond South Shore.
Artists in the Spotlight
For Pigmented, CAA will present work by eight members: Larry Cope, Lessie V. Dixon, Jonathan Hadnott, William ‘Bill’ Grigg, Deleshia ‘Dyi’ Kinney, Krista Shelton, Cheryl Toles, and Everett Williams.
Their approaches differ widely. Some experiment with abstraction, others ground their work in portraiture, photography or cultural symbolism. What ties them together is a shared commitment to telling stories often overlooked in mainstream art spaces.
“Events like Pigmented shine a light on the richness of Black artistry,” said Everett Williams, CAA’s vice president. “It’s not only about the work itself—it’s about the experiences and histories that shaped it.”
For audiences, the exhibition offers more than a chance to see art on the wall. It is an invitation to engage with memory, identity, and resilience.
More Than a Fair
Pigmented is about visibility, but it is also about reclamation. By centering Black artists in a major cultural event, the fair confronts decades of underrepresentation in Chicago’s art world.
The Zhou B Art Center will transform into what organizers describe as a “living archive” of Black creativity. Alongside exhibitions, the fair will host panels and conversations, giving the public a chance to hear directly from artists. Collectors will also be encouraged to build connections with living creators rather than simply acquiring objects.
For CAA, that mission aligns with its own. The organization has long emphasized accessibility—making sure art is not locked behind gallery walls but present in classrooms, churches, and community centers. Pigmented gives them a larger stage to expand that approach.
“This gives us a platform to connect with an international conversation about creativity, equity, and visibility,” Kinney said.
Art as Community
What makes CAA distinct, members say, is the way it sees art as a community practice. Programs like the Paint Out draws families who might not otherwise visit a gallery. Let’s Talk About Art creates space for open dialogue, demystifying the creative process. And upcoming community art classes promise to make training affordable and accessible.
That emphasis on intergenerational connection ensures that creativity doesn’t remain an isolated pursuit. Instead, it becomes part of the fabric of everyday life in neighborhoods across Chicago.
“We want people to see themselves as part of the creative story,” Kinney said. “Whether you’re a practicing artist, a parent, or a child with a paintbrush, you have a place in this.”
Looking Forward
As CAA approaches its 20th anniversary, its leaders are focused on building legacy. National recognition, new programs, and the historic opportunity of Pigmented have positioned the group as a growing force in Chicago’s cultural life.
For its artists, the fair offers more than exposure. It represents the chance to connect with new audiences, build lasting relationships, and share stories on a stage that has been too long absent.
“When people come to Pigmented, they won’t just see paintings or sculptures,” Kinney said. “They’ll encounter lived experiences, cultural legacies, and visions for the future.”
A Call to Witness
Chicago has always been a city of artists, but not all have been given equal space to thrive. Pigmented: Black Fine Art Faire seeks to change that by centering Black creativity in a way the city hasn’t seen in decades.
For CAA, participation in the fair is both recognition and responsibility. It’s a chance to show what community-based alongside fine art can do when given room to flourish.
As Kinney put it, “This is about celebrating the work, but it’s also about celebrating the stories behind the work.”
For Chicagoans, the invitation is clear: come ready to witness not only art, but history in the making.
Sidebar: CAA at a Glance
Founded: 2005 by Melvin King, Sherman Beck, Gloria Buckley, Quinton Foreman, and others
Headquarters: South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago President: Deleshia “Dyi” Kinney
Programs:
Paint Out – a family art-making event, Let’s Talk About Art – public conversations with artists; Mini-Residencies – hosted at First Presbyterian Church; Community Art Classes – launching in 2025; Exhibitions and art sales featuring local and national artists National Recognition: Honored in 2024 by the Ruth Arts Foundation for contributions to Chicago’s creative ecosystem. Pigmented 2025 Exhibiting Artists: Sherman Beck: (founder), Larry Cope: Lessie V. Dixon, ,Jonathan Hadnott, William “Bill” Griggs, Deleshia “Dyi” Kinney, Krista Shelton, Cheryl Toles: Everett Williams:
