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Meet the women who created
"Momma Loves Jazz" and "Welcome to the Mothership: We Gather in Their Names"
These concurrent exhibitions share our gallery space through July 26th
“Momma Loves Jazz” and “Welcome to the Mothership: We Gather in Their Names” opened June 7th at the Community Artists’ Collective as a paired exhibition featuring artists Carla Sue and Jakayla Monay, respectively.
About the artists and the curator
Jakayla Monay is a Houston-based visual artist specializing in
photography and short film. Her work focuses on the lived
experiences of Black individuals, emphasizing themes of
identity, memory and the moments that follow pain. Through
intimate portraits and narrative-driven films, she explores the
significance of witnessing, remembering, and honoring stories that often go unnoticed. Jakayla views this work as both a personal responsibility and a means to preserve and elevate the complexities of Black life. Her artwork has been showcased in group exhibitions across Houston, including venues like the Anderson Center for the Arts (formerly known as Harris County Cultural Arts Center), FotoFest, The Mag, Fresh Arts, Hogan Brown Gallery and the Houston Center for Photography. She was also featured in a Fox 26 segment highlighting the group exhibition at Hogan Brown Gallery.
Carla Sue is a multidisciplinary creative, community leader, and brand strategist whose work lives at the intersection of design, culture and healing. With over a decade of experience in graphic design, content strategy and community engagement, she transforms meaningful ideas into visuals and experiences that resonate deeply and last. Carla Sue began her journey in 2002 with The Haven, a grassroots arts organization she founded to offer free creative programming to underserved communities in Alief and across Houston. Her commitment to accessible, healing-centered art has remained central to her work ever since.
In response to Hurricane Harvey, she launched Keep Houston
Dope, an apparel line rooted in local pride, resilience, and cultural unity. Sold at Cactus Music and worn by some of Houston’s most beloved musicians and athletes, Keep Houston Dope has become a symbol of the city's spirit and creativity.
Stacey Allen, who curated the exhibition, is an award-winning dancemaker, curator and advocate for arts education, equity and reproductive justice. She currently serves as the director of artistic programming at The Anderson Center for the Arts and is the founder and artistic director of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. She also works as a consultant for the Out(Sider) Preservation Project. Stacey is the author of A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way and D is for Dance: Dancing Through the Diaspora. Her creative and scholarly work focuses on dance anthropology, material culture and the intersections of movement and memory. She was named one of the Houston Defender’s 2025 Ones to Watch, has received recognitions from local officials for her advocacy and education work and was part of the inaugural cohort of Houston BIPOC Arts Network and Fund Artist Awardees.
This exhibition is funded in part by the Anderson Center for the Arts (ACA), a BIPOC-founded and led non-profit arts organization located in East Harris County, Houston. The cultural center serves as the premier destination for residents, artists and tourists to experience rich arts and culture in the area. ACA works to expand arts access in underserved communities, amplify black voices and level the playing field for black creatives through training and development and residencies that include free studio space and financial support.
Exhibition Details
Dates: June 7th to July 26th
Opening Reception: June 7th, 2 to 5 p.m.
Artist Talks/Public Programs: Lyles is offering a workshop at The Collective on Saturday, June 14th, from 2 to 5 p.m., titled “Vinyl and Venerations.”
Location: Community Artists’ Collective, 4111 Fannin St., Suite 100A, Houston 77004
Parking: Free for 2 hours in garage and lot across the street
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and by appointment
Admission: Free and open to the public
Scenes from the June 7th opening
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