"A Conversation with George & NaKeesa Jennings: Continuing an Art Legacy"

Join visual artist George Jennings and his wife and manager, NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings, for an engaging and intimate conversation about their journey in the fine arts, spanning from Washington, D.C., to Washington state. Together, they will share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in building a thriving artistic career while honoring a deep-rooted family legacy.

Sunday, February 23, 2pm. Event is Free

George will offer insights into his latest exhibition, The Women, The Paper, and The Light, revealing the inspiration, concept, and creative process behind this compelling body of work. Attendees will learn how his early passion for 2D art evolved into a successful career, influenced by his family's rich artistic heritage.

The conversation will also explore the dynamic partnership between George and NaKeesa, highlighting how they have worked together to expand his art practice and reach wider audiences. From managing exhibitions to navigating the art world as a team, they will share valuable lessons on balancing creativity and business.

Looking ahead, George and NaKeesa will discuss their future projects and aspirations, offering a glimpse into their continued commitment to the arts and their role in fostering a vibrant artistic community. This event provides a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about their artistic journey, gain inspiration, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the impact of art and legacy.

GEORGE JENNINGS

George Jennings, a fine art painter, is best known for his portraits of subjects who are not commonly centered in mainstream art with a focus on the diverse beauty of women. 

His grandfather, the late visual artist, John N. Robinson, was his first art instructor while George later attended and is now an alum of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.   After his cross country move to Washington State (in 1997), George, with the help of his wife/manager, has had an art career filled with group and solo exhibitions, various presentations, and guest art instructor opportunities throughout Greater Seattle.  George also produced a line of commercial products that have been sold in dozens of retail spaces throughout the country.

Initially, he created his paintings using oil and acrylic, then more recently he has transitioned to incorporating modern tools.  His canvas is now glass, and his brush a digital pencil.  

NAKEESA JENNINGS

NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings, is an entrepreneur who is a longtime resident of Western Washington who was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area.  NaKeesa proudly identifies as an advocate for racial and social justice often using the written word to shed light on the many issues impacting the Black community as well as other marginalized groups. Her boutique consulting firm, Nakeesa Marie Enterprises, is located in Tacoma, Washington, where she provides gentle coaching, consultation, proofreading and writing services, as well as various other types of support to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and job seekers.  

NaKeesa’s current work was born out of her experiences in the community and being immersed in the visual, creative, and literary art spaces in the Greater Seattle area for over 25 years.  She has engaged with visual artists and creatives in a variety of ways such as providing them with coaching, crafting artist bios and artist statements, serving as an artist manager, having also planned, negotiated, and executed group and solo exhibitions.  In December 2023, she created and began co-delivering a workshop that details her family’s art journey that includes practical tips, strategies and resources that can help artists monetize their individual art practice.  

Currently, NaKeesa provides exclusive artist representation to visual artist (and her husband), George Jennings, serving as the creative director for George’s Black family art legacy showcase and exhibit titled The Women, The Paper, and The Light.  NaKeesa is also a published author whose work has been featured in media publications, books, and creative and literary projects.   In 2024, she released a collection of guided workbooks/journals that support people in engaging in gentle (self) accountability which she believes is one of the highest forms of self-love.

Though NaKeesa engages in many different projects through her business and in community, as a Black woman she feels that she must first and foremost, prioritize and engage in an intentional and non-negotiable self-care practice which she does at the beginning, end, and throughout each day.