AHHA!

Artistry. Honesty. Healing. Action!

As an organization of African American artists, our purpose is to seek to use the art inspired by our lived experiences to engage residents of traditionally white suburban communities in the Twin Cities area in transformative conversations and activities that heal the breach and create mutual understanding.

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The Artists

Beverly Hammond

Beverly Tipton Hammond

Beverly Tipton Hammond is an ordained elder, dancer, choreographer, visual artist, singer, songwriter, art curator and entrepreneur. She began painting 14 years ago as a hobby and has over 200 paintings. Her medium is acrylic, ink marker on canvas and wood, as well as collage. Her artwork was featured in the Hennepin County Employee Exhibit in 2017 and most recently her “Hattitude Series” the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery in the “Grace Exhibit” in 2018-2019.
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Drew Hammond

A Drew Hammond

Drew’s work focuses on expressing the people in the African American diaspora, which is an important and personal undertaking in a society filled with disregard. Of his medium versatility, his most expressive works are his collages which provoke thought and create visual disputation and resolve. Outside of the standard curricula art class in school, Drew never had any formal art training. He credits God with endowing him artistically with the gift and affinity for art.

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Beverly Hammond

Donald Walker

Donald began his distinguished career as the first African-American Artist to work at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Donald also won 3rd place for Best Graphic Artist for Minnesota Newspaper Association 2019. Donald graciously employed to help raise money for organizations such as Vidal Sassoon’s Esquire Boys Club, Bill Cosby’s Home Run for Kids, the March of Dimes, the Washington Easter Seals, and the American Medical Association. In Toronto, Canada one of Donald’s paintings sold at auction for $32,000.00.
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Kennedy Simpson

Kennedy Simpson

Kennedy is an artist and Graphic Designer from Minnesota. She has been inspired by her suburban upbringing as a person of color as well as her experiences with anxiety, both of which have encouraged her to pursue art into adulthood. Kennedy will describe herself as more of a thinker than an artist, and focuses on creating work that will provoke viewers with new perspectives through the use of multiple mediums and bold messaging.

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Upcoming Events

Building

Bridges of Honest Dialogue

How White Folks Can Experience “the Black Experience”?

How White Folks Can Experience “the Black Experience”?

White folks (like me) can never live like Black people do. We walk outside through the front door without a second thought. So do Black people ---- unless they spot a police car parked up the street. We calmly stroll through Target eyeing the merchandise. So do Black...

Art Gallery