2025/2026 art innovation zone exhibitions
The Bahamian-born multidisciplinary artist earns $500 award in “Celebrating Artists of African Descent: Past and Present.”
My work is about connection — carving stories that honor heritage, community, and the transformative power of creativity.”
— Omar Richardson
Exhibition Jury
Abbie Brothers and Sheil McKoy
The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative (SBAC) announces that the Wimauma-based artist Omar Melvin Richardson was awarded First Place and a $500 prize in its 2026 Art Innovation Zone exhibition, “Celebrating Artists of African Descent: Past and Present,” which was on view through March 13 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. Richardson is among 10 artists featured in the regional exhibition, which highlights creative voices of African descent while advancing SBAC’s mission to support artists both artistically and professionally. His winning work, “Divine Beauty,” was recognized by the exhibition jury for its compelling visual language and emotional resonance.
SBAC’s Art Innovation Zone initiative is designed to create pathways for artists of African descent through exhibition opportunities, professional development, and community engagement. This exhibition continues that mission by showcasing work that reflects the intersections of art, identity, and lived experience.
About Omar Richardson
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, and raised in the culturally vibrant Bain Town community, Richardson traces his artistic foundation to C.R. Walker Secondary School, where early mentorship helped shape his creative path. He went on to study at the University of The Bahamas before earning a B.F.A. in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he later became the institution’s first M.F.A. printmaking graduate student. By 2009, he had completed both an M.F.A. in printmaking and an M.A. in commercial photography, later adding a B.F.A. in graphic design from the Art Institute of Atlanta–Decatur. Richardson’s interdisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, culture, and personal narrative, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary perspectives.
“This recognition from the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative is deeply meaningful to me,” Richardson says. “My work is about connection — carving stories that honor heritage, community, and the transformative power of creativity.”
Michéle des Verney Redwine, executive director of SBAC, says Richardson’s work reflects the goals of the Art Innovation Zone initiative.
“Omar’s work embodies the depth, technical strength, and cultural narrative that the Art Innovation Zone was created to elevate,” Redwine says. “We are proud to recognize his achievement and to continue creating pathways that support artists of African descent in building sustainable, visible careers.”
