The doors at 4 East 7th Street opened a vision rooted in creativity, culture, and community. Evoke Art Studio officially celebrated its grand opening on April 12, drawing a strong show of support from artists, neighbors, and advocates for Frederick’s growing arts scene. The energy inside the space reflected exactly what the studio was built for: connection, expression, and the elevation of Black creatives.
At the center of it all is founder and owner Lakisha Reid, an artist and creative visionary committed to building environments where art and community intersect. Reid’s work is grounded in intuitive abstract expression, using bold forms and emotion-driven techniques to invite reflection and storytelling. More importantly, her mission extends beyond the canvas, she is focused on cultivating a space where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. As she shared following the opening, “what an enormous show of love and support. I am thrilled about the community that has already begun to bloom in this space.”That sense of intention is embedded into every corner of Evoke, a studio designed to create art and nurture artists.
Evoke Art Studio positions itself as an all-encompassing institution for creative exploration, offering workshops, open studio time, and collaborative programming that spans visual art, music, writing, and wellness. The studio emphasizes accessibility, welcoming both seasoned artists and those simply looking for an outlet. From intuitive painting sessions to clay workshops and poetry circles, the space encourages experimentation and self-discovery.
Central to the studio’s identity is the Evoke Art Collective, a dynamic group of multidisciplinary creatives whose work reflects the richness of Frederick’s Black arts community. The collective includes Alexandra Edwards, a photographer and videographer focused on capturing authentic life moments; Jazlyn Sligh, a singer-songwriter and founder of The Sound Lounge Collective; and Jaz Parks, a ceramic artist exploring the balance between function and artistic expression. Also part of the collective is Shemica Sheppard, founder of R&B and Books, a mobile bookstore centered on Black literature and storytelling, alongside Lauren Saunders, a yoga teacher and mindfulness coach who integrates wellness into creative practice.
The collective further expands with Mwewa Sumbwe, a writer and community curator whose work is rooted in nature and storytelling, and Kiki Wilson, founder of OUT 40 Media, a platform amplifying underrepresented voices across Frederick’s cultural landscape. Together, these creatives form the backbone of Evoke, a collaborative ecosystem where disciplines intersect and community thrives.
More than a studio, Evoke represents a growing movement within Frederick: the intentional creation of spaces that center Black art, ownership, and collaboration. It fills a critical gap in the local arts landscape by providing a place where creatives can gather, experiment, and build without limitation.
With its grand opening now behind it, Evoke Art Studio is already stepping into its next chapter, one defined by programming, partnerships, and the continued cultivation of a community that, as Reid described, is already beginning to bloom.
Photo Credit. Marie Rose Photography
