Art for a Better World

Alejandro, widely known as Alex or Bear, is an Argentine-born, American-raised tattoo artist with 21 years of experience. Most of his time is spent doing art-related things, from tattooing to photography to stencil street art. An avid collector of screen-printed posters, 80s/90s nostalgia, and Hot Wheels Deloreans, Alejandro also co-owns a tattoo shop in Fort Worth, Texas, opened in 2024 with his wife. This is their pride and joy. He is currently curating a project to showcase local urban and street artists at a Fort Worth hotel. Through his shop, Alejandro actively supports the local community and creators, using his platform to promote kindness, compassion, and, of course, art.

Dorothy Nagel, known as Aunt Dot, was an extraordinary artist whose passion for painting persisted despite a life-altering car accident that took her dominant arm. Her story defies limitations, highlighting the boundless nature of creativity in adversity. Aunt Dot's legacy inspires us to embrace life's possibilities despite challenges, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit through her art.

​RIP Aunt Dot

Traci L. Turner is a visual artist based in Reno, NV. She has been painting and sharing her work professionally since 2013. Her expressionistic oil paintings often use bold colors and familiar imagery. She might turn it into a work of art if you ever become a meme.

Aliye Cullu (Aleeyah Chooloo) is a painter and graphic designer. She is also a fourth-generation artist. Her mother, grandmother, and great-grandfather were talented painters. Aliye's artistic growth in this nourishing family environment began in Manhasset, New York, and has flourished in North Central Florida.

A lifelong doodler, David's art style was created and developed in the margins of school notebooks and meeting notes.

Will Shields is a versatile artist whose work spans a diverse range of mediums, from traditional pen and ink to digital realms. With a foundation in graphic design, Shields is a largely self-taught fine artist whose creative exploration knows no bounds. His dynamic compositions have captivated audiences worldwide.

A designer across print and digital with a lifelong passion for illustration and art who has always had a pencil, brush, or stylus in hand—creating for the joy of it, whether on paper, canvas, or screen.

Melissa Behrend is a writer living in the PNW. She writes short stories, novels, and screenplays.

Willena Coleman is a University of Central Florida Criminal Justice graduate who currently works in Regulatory Analysis. She's passionate about making sense of rules and systems, but she also makes plenty of space for creativity in her life. She loves art, music, baking, and finding joy in the little things. Most importantly, she is a proud mom, a loyal friend, and an ally who believes in showing up with heart.