Artist Najee Dorsey Creates Iconic Artwork for Atlanta Jazz Fe 2024 – Black Art In America™ Gallery & Gardens

Artist Najee Dorsey Creates Iconic Artwork for the 2024 Atlanta Jazz Festival

“We are proud to announce the signature artwork of the 47th Najee Dorsey’s annual Atlanta Jazz Festival spans two generations,” says Camille Russell Love, executive director of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “The mixed media artwork depicts a father and son sharing a beautiful moment and truly represents the spirit of the festival.”

Dorsey’s work will be featured on this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival poster and t-shirt, which will be available for purchase at the festival in Piedmont Park during Memorial Day weekend, 25-27 may.

Born in Blytheville, Arkansas on January 26, 1973, visual artist and entrepreneur Najee Dorsey is known for embracing southern roots in his works by relaying scenes of African American life in the South. He began his journey as an artist at the age of five, selling his works to his mother for candy. From then on, Dorsey continued to make art his favorite hobby. In high school, he earned a partial scholarship in 1991 to Memphis College of Art (later known as Memphis Academy of Art). Dorsey left the institution before completing his first semester due to a combination of financial challenges and the need for a more dynamic environment. He continued to create art part-time while working different jobs over the years.

Balancing his schedule as an artist and an employee, Dorsey went through a phase where he became indifferent to creating art. He then met Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, an artist and community arts activist, who became his friend and mentor. This friendship was a source of inspiration and helped Dorsey refocus his energy on his first love, art. Between 1992 and 1993, Dorsey continued to hone his craft and produced an airbrush work that became his first response to civil rights issues containing a message of social responsibility in a piece titled Guidance in the Time of Ignorance, purchased by Abdul-Musawwir.

As an artist, Najee Dorsey has developed his art over the years and has become known for his multimedia collages, digital collages of images of little-known and little-known historical figures, as well as his nostalgic scenes of African life -American in the southern United States. As he recounts moments of black life throughout history, he maintains that “untold stories are forgotten stories.” Dorsey has forged a successful career as an artist, participating in numerous solo and group museum exhibitions, television shows, and print publications. In addition to these accomplishments, he has skillfully combined his creative mind and business acumen to develop an ever-growing online community that documents, preserves and promotes the contributions of the African American arts community. Dorsey lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Seteria.

The 47th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival is to educate and entertain a diverse audience of jazz fans and to develop the next generation of jazz musicians. The festival is funded by corporate sponsorship and the Atlanta Jazz Festival Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization. For more information, visit the website at atljazzfest.com.