St. Joseph Museums displays local artist’s work for Juneteenth
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A local artist’s work is being featured in the St. Joseph Museums as part of the celebration leading up to Juneteenth.
A gallery featuring the work of Afrocentric Artist T’Asia Coker can be found in the Black Archives section of the Museum. The 23-year-old law student at Missouri Western State University remembers when she started sketching at the age of 13.
"I was at my house, and I was so bored I was like, 'Okay, I'm just going to try to draw,' and then I really got in to sketching," Coker said.
Then she found what she truly loved.
"I liked sketching, but I just really love being able to express myself through color with different skin tones, complexions and backgrounds," Coker said.
The inspiration came from the hair salon her mom has owned for nearly 12 years.
"I just watched her do the hair of the people in my community and I get a lot of inspiration from them," she said.
T’Asia’s mother, Kristina Buchanan, owns Karamel Natural Hair Care at 1702 Olive St. in St. Joseph. T'Asia's first color art piece is still hanging inside the shop.
"We just always thought that she was amazing," Buchanan said. "Her progression speaks more, I think, to her work ethic, her determination to keep perfecting her craft to always be the best that she can be, and I'm in awe of my daughter."
What starts as a concept in T’Asia’s head changes as she begins to work on a piece. She enjoys painting women in front of mystical backgrounds.
"I'm a fantasy person to my core, so I like seeing art that depicts that," Coker said.
The opportunity to showcase her art in the St. Joseph Museums came from a February event where her mother displayed her work. A Black Archives Committee member was in attendance and suggested her art be displayed in the museum.
"My mom was buying picture frames and, you know, getting everything labeled," Coker said. "It came together really nice."
Coker’s work is on display now through Monday, June 30, to highlight Black artists and celebrate Juneteenth.
"I've been watching her just do great things anyway, so every painting is my favorite," Buchanan said. "This is the beginning for her."
A calendar featuring T'Asia's work will be on sale in September, and it will feature perforated pages so the art can be detached and kept. Copies of the calendar can be purchased at Karamel Natural Hair Care.
