DREW GALLERY

2100 L ST NW

@ THADDEUS STEPHENS SCHOOL

*Entrance on the Corner, Buzz for Access

โ€œBlack Joyโ€ by Tania S.

Solo Exhibition

VIP RECEPTION:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST

2:00PM-6:00PM โ€ข RSVP HERE

ON DISPLAY:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST THRU

SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2025

GALLERY HOURS:

MON THRU FRI @ 10AM - 6PM

SAT @ 10AM - 2PM

About the Exhibit

JOY noun /หˆjศฏi/:
the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune, or the prospect of possessing what one desires.

Black Joy is an act of resistance that involves choosing pleasure in the midst of pain and trauma. Joy is something TaNia S. believes has been systematically denied to our Black ancestors, dating back to slavery, stripping away everything that defined them as human. Despite this, Black Joy has always endured and been a source of power and strength. It is a testament to our resilience, a light we have foundโ€”and continue to findโ€”in even the simplest, most ordinary moments.

TaNia S. exhibits people she has captured over the span of her 15-year career as a Black female photographer. It explores the many facets of Black Joyโ€”raw, vibrant, and unapologetic.

Black Joy is contagious.

Experience it. Share it. Feel it.

We deserve Black Joy.

enJOY.

Artist Bio

TaNia S. is a multifaceted photographer and engineer, born, raised, and a proud homeowner in Prince George's County, MD. Her photography journey began in high school while on the modeling team, where she discovered her passion behind the lens. Affectionately nicknamed "Paparazzi" by her classmates, she developed a love for capturing moments that would later blossom into a thriving career.

While studying Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, TaNia invested in a DSLR camera in 2010 and hasn't put it down since. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for her business and passion to grow, as she began photographing friends and paid events like college parties.

Fifteen years later, TaNiaโ€™s lens has taken her places, and most recently a trip to South Africa where she documented a 30-person group trip for a travel agency. Throughout the years she has worked with corporate clients such as GW Law School, CBC PAC, Holton-Arms School, and MD Dems, while also capturing personal milestone events like engagements, weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, and family portraits.

TaNia's work reflects a deep passion for storytelling, capturing both grand celebrations and intimate moments with authenticity and artistry.

VIP OPENING RECEPTION