Marquis Brantley, Sr., a New Haven native, is a self-taught visual artist. He began drawing in childhood, inspired by his older brother, photographer Jay Brantley, who loved to close himself in his room and draw what Marquis remembers as “colorful, vivid images.” Marquis continued to enjoy art; then seven years ago, he decided to pursue painting more seriously, although he admits, he never expected great success. That is, until recently.
Last October, when Marquis participated in a City-Wide Open Studios group show, his art captivated viewers. Upon seeing it, Trina Learned, Executive Director of Creative Arts Workshop, offered him a solo exhibition in their gallery. That show, titled: “Made Visible: Unveiled Roots,” proved transformative for Marquis. The exhibition featured portraits of Black men and boys – a tribute to Marquis' family members and notable public figures who, he says, quote: “Have influenced me to become the person I am today.” His portraits, rendered in a realistic, modern style, not only displayed striking likenesses of his subjects, but also illuminated their depth and character.
Throughout the month-long show, Marquis personally met with gallery visitors, especially groups of artists and students. He was excited to share his positive vision of Black men as strong, successful role models and he wanted to connect with the community and foster positivity and hope.
According to Marquis, the response to his show opened his world. “It gave me the confidence to know that my work can touch many lives… It deepened my desire to share the stories of Black men and boys and to address the political issues of our times.” Marquis now describes himself as “a 41-year-old, early-career Black artist trying to make art my full-time profession.”
Singer-songwriter Thabisa Rich was born and raised in Kwazakele, South Africa, where she developed a deep appreciation for the vibrant sounds of African music. Her musical journey began in her youth, singing in a church choir, and later expanding to other music genres which led to her being a backup singer for jazz and African pop bands.
She started writing music in her 20s, her songs characterized by African beats, rhythms, language, and spirit, often interwoven with words from different languages, including English. Her solo career was launched at age 28, when she was voted one of the Top 18 contestants on Idols South Africa. The following year, her music video was nominated for Best Video at the South African Traditional Music Awards. Two albums and a South African tour followed.
After moving to the United States with her husband, Thabisa continued to pursue her passion for singing, songwriting and giving wide-ranging performances—from intimate New York jazz clubs to the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and throughout a northeast tour in 2023. Her music has been described as a fusion of African American jazz, African pop, soul, and funk—a style she refers to as African soul and world music.
Thabisa’s artistic mission is to connect with people across the globe. Since settling in New Haven, Thabisa has earned numerous honors and has been actively engaged with the local community. She serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the City of New Haven and is the founder of the Rich Arts Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to “connecting community through art, music, and conversation that will link us to humanity and lead to understanding of our cultural differences.”
Thabisa’s current endeavor, which she says is her “most transformative body of work,” is designed to foster connection and understanding. This project includes both an album—her first since leaving Africa—and a following tour intended to directly engage with others. The work bridges her South African heritage with her life in the United States and incorporates several additional languages. It centers around the concept of Agape, which she defines as “a form of community love involving selfless and unconditional love for others.” Thabisa explains, “This is more than a creative goal. It’s a mission. I want it to reflect not only who I am as an artist today, but who I am becoming, and to give others—especially women, immigrants, and members of the African diaspora—space to see themselves in sound, in survival, and in song.”
Bitsie's Story
Bitsie Clark, who stood four foot eleven, has been described as seeming to be six foot six. Others simply say she was larger than life. What is clear to all who knew her is that Bitsie was a powerhouse. Bitsie was a giant in this region, especially during her two decades as the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. She was central to the launch of the Audubon Arts District and helped establish the arts as a driving economic force in Greater New Haven.
Many of Bitsie’s most meaningful actions at the Arts Council, however, stemmed from her everyday interactions with the constant stream of people who sought her advice. She gave counsel to individual artists, nurtured their talents and helped them achieve their dreams. The Bitsie Fund aims to do the same.
The Bitsie Fund is managed by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. If you are interested in making a donation you can do so here.
The Bitsie Fund has been awarding grants to extraordinary artists in the community since its inception in 2018. Meet them here.
The next application deadline is
June 30, 2026
