Nzinga Barnes
Nzinga is a local Visual Artist from Inkster, Michigan. Her early education began in Inkster and Dearborn Heights. She says, “As a young girl I always loved to draw with pencil, pen and ink.” Nzinga says she also had a great desire to become a medical illustrator. However, she met and worked with Joyce Ivory of Young Artist, Inc., shortly after high school, and developed an interest and a love for working with charcoal and pastels.
Nzinga has participated in several drawing competitions, and she is proud that she was once accepted into what is now the College for Creative Studies. She also took a summer course with renowned Detroit Artist, Arthur Roland in 2015. Nzinga, (also known as Mayme Carolyn Barnes) continues to participate in the exhibition of her works, including several personal showings in Inkster, Detroit, and Chicago. Today Nzinga says she embellishes her drawing by incorporating a diversity of media, including fabric, cowrie shells, seed beads, and hair.