Artist Najee Dorsey Creates Signature Artwork For 2024 Atlanta Jazz Festival
“We are proud to announce the signature artwork for the 47th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is Two Generations by Najee Dorsey,” states 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 artwork 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 over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27.
Born in Blytheville, Arkansas on January 26, 1973, visual artist, and entrepreneur Najee Dorsey is known for embracing southern roots in his artwork by relaying scenes of African American life in the south. He began his journey as an artist at the age of five, selling his artwork to his mother for candy. From that point on, Dorsey continued making art as a favorite pastime. In high school, he earned a partial scholarship in 1991 to Memphis College of Art (later known as the Memphis Academy of Art). Dorsey left the institution prior to completing his first semester due to a combination of financial challenges, and the need for a more dynamic environment. He continued creating art part-time while working different jobs over the years.
Balancing his schedule as an artist and employee, Dorsey went through a phase where he became indifferent about creating art. Then he met Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, an artist and community arts activist, who became his friend and mentor. The friendship provided inspiration and helped Dorsey refocus his energy on his first love, art. Between 1992 and 1993 Dorsey continued honing his craft, and produced an airbrushed work that became his first response to civil rights issues containing a message of social responsibility in a piece entitled, Guidance in the Time of Ignorance, which was purchased by Abdul-Musawwir.
As an artist, Najee Dorsey has developed his craft over the years, and become known for his mixed media collage, digital media collage images of little known and unsung historical figures, as well as nostalgic scenes from African American life in the southern US. As he chronicles moments in Black life throughout history, he maintains that “stories untold are stories forgotten.” Dorsey has forged a successful career as an artist, being featured in numerous solo and group museum shows, television broadcasts and print publications. As well as these accomplishments, he has skillfully combined his creative edge and business acumen to develop a steadily growing online community that documents, preserves, and promotes the contributions of the African American arts community. Dorsey lives in Atlanta, GA 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 nurture the next generation of jazz musicians. The festival is funded through corporate sponsorships and by Atlanta Jazz Festival Inc, a 501(c)(3) cultural, non-profit organization. For more information visit the website at atljazzfest.com.
