Boldly Brewing Culture in Spartanburg
A Creative Brew of Culture: Taste of Black Spartanburg 2025
This year’s Taste of Black Spartanburg was more than just a celebration of flavor, it was a feast for the eyes, heart, and spirit. Amid the soulful sounds, sizzling bites, and spirited conversations, something new brewed its way into the spotlight: the GetJOECoffeeOn Mobile Art Gallery, presented by Studio22x2 featuring a curated collection of art by Blaq Picasso & Hannah A St. James.
Parked proudly between vendor booths and bustling foot traffic, the mobile gallery wasn’t just a backdrop, it was an experience. Designed as a traveling exhibit and community touchpoint, it featured rotating visual art inspired by the richness of Black creativity, the ritual of coffee, and the healing power of self-expression. Visitors walked through a sensory journey - bold brushstrokes, affirming quotes, and coffee-scented art made from real grounds, set the tone for meaningful connection.
The highlight of the day? A live painting session by local artist Blaq Picasso, whose portrait work is phenomenal! Positioned right inside the gallery, he transformed a blank canvas into a vivid image of Michael B Jordan as cast in Sinners. Children gathered close, elders nodded in approval, and passersby lingered, mesmerized.
A visitor chimed in: “I didn’t expect to come here and feel something, but this pulled me in. I’m leaving inspired.”
[Be sure to check out our video recap here by SLAH Nation TV] you’ll see faces light up, hear voices lifted in celebration, and get a closer look at Blaq Picasso’s process, the art gallery display, and the collaborative energy that made it all possible.
Events like Taste of Black Spartanburg remind us that supporting Black businesses goes beyond transactions - it’s about investing in stories, spaces, and shared joy. By partnering with local creatives through Studio22x2, we’re proving that when art, entrepreneurship, and community meet, something powerful happens.
The success of this event wasn’t just in the foot traffic; it was in the feeling. That deep breath people took as they viewed art full of texture and color. The way strangers laughed together while resonating with visuals they liked. The boldness of Blaq Picasso’s strokes blending with the beat of the crowd.
“I want this in my neighborhood,” someone said. “This kind of beauty should be everywhere.”
We agree! This is just the beginning. The Mobile Art Gallery is rolling on, the collaboration is expanding, and there’s much more to come. Stay tuned for our upcoming stops, new featured artists, and community activations that put Black art and imagination at the center.
Want to be a part of what’s next? Follow @Studio22x2 and @GetJOECoffeeOn to catch our next pop-up, artist collab, or call for creatives.
Together, we’re building more than art. We’re boldly brewing culture.
