Nourishing Well: Black Women and the Poetics of Sacred Space is a multimedia art exhibition that foregrounds the narratives, experiences, and intersecting identities of Black women through poetry, film, photography, and visual art. Conceptualized by artist and poet Mariah Ivey, the exhibition builds upon her thesis, Nourishing Well: Black Queer Women and the Sanctity of Language, offering an inclusive exploration of art and language as pathways to healing, care, and justice.

Photos by Jes Nijjer

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

The work that will be showcased is a great representation of the beginning of my artistic journey, these photos were taken in the beginning of my journey as a photographer. It also represents the space I always make so my clients and team are comfortable. 

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

A sacred space can be a person or place where I can be myself fully without feeling that I would be judged or misunderstood. I feel that I provide that as a person within conversations, but also when I am on set I always want to make sure the people I’m working with are comfortable and can be themselves. That’s when true creativity sparks.

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

I feel that we haven’t had the chance to actually work alongside but being showcased amongst amazing black female artists is inspiring and is motivating for me. It makes me want to get back to my craft and create new and amazing work. 

D’yshe Mansfield is an Indianapolis based multi-hyphenate photographer, singer-songwriter, actress and director. As a graduate of New York City’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy and a current Theatre, Television, and Film student at Indiana University Indianapolis, Mansfield continues to leave her mark on the world of art one show at a time. 

Her recent works include “Nourishing Well: Black Women and the Poetics of Sacred Space” (Madam Walker Legacy Center 2024), Lydia R. Diamond’s “Toni Stone”, David Lamb’s “Platanos y Collard Greens”, and Naptown African American Theatre Collective’s “Detroit 67” in which she was nominated for Best Director by Broadway World. She is thrilled to exhibit her photography in the second iteration of Nourishing Well.

In 2012, Ashley graduated with a degree from Anderson University and started her career as a Chemist. In 2019, Nora made the bold decision to leave her career in science to pursue art full-time. Ashley Nora, a distinguished visual artist captivates audiences with her unique blend of realistic oil painting portraits and evocative sculptures capturing real moments of human interaction. With no formal training it was her personal exploration of color theory and emotional resonance that truly defined her signature style.

Ashley travels the world and creates public art for people in every economic and social background to experience. Ashley believes that impact is more important than income, and her desire is to impact communities through her gift and inspire others to follow their dreams and do the same.

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

I draw on inspiration from the pioneering strength of Black and Brown communities across the nation. Through shape, color and texture each of us is invited to be a part of each scene. My work serves as a reminder to see ourselves in each other.

The inspiration behind my piece “Tell Me a Story” comes from my daughter and granddaughter. Braiding their hair would often take hours, and those moments became some of our best bonding experiences. We would chat about anything and everything, and I seized that time to fill their minds with positive and encouraging thoughts. Nurturing the crowns of my little Brown girls has truly been one of the highlights of my journey as a parent.

The inspiration for my second piece “Ode to my Grandmother” is my Grandmother, Georgette Seabrooke Powell. Had she not nourished my father (the baby in the piece) he would not have known how to nourish me. Her nourishing continues in my life today. She is my inspiration for becoming an artist.

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

Sacred space means quiet to me. It means the only energy surrounding me is my own. I like to surround myself with soft music and solitude in my studio.

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

I’m always excited to work with other female artists. The most exciting aspect of this particular show is, I’m showing with a group of talented women I have never shown with before.

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

When I was invited to contribute to Nourishing Well, I immediately thought about where I feel most nourished—where I experience true rest. For me, that place is nature. It offers renewal in many forms, and I find comfort in them all.

I often see myself in the life cycle of plants—shedding, growing, quiet, and rebirth. This exhibition gave me space to honor that process, allowing me to reflect on rest as an essential part of my own creative and personal journey.

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

A sacred space is anywhere I can exhale and feel safe enough to be my full self. It’s where I feel love, trust, and shared care—where I am held, and hold others. Beyond the personal spaces of nature and stillness, my sacred space is also my community.

This show is special because many of our relationships with each other existed long before it. My life partner and close friends are in this exhibition, and we create sacred spaces for each other daily. Our connection isn’t confined to these gallery walls—we have opened our homes to one another, shared meals, supported, and been accountable to each other. That kind of nourishment is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

Observing the ways in which Black Women Artists each interpret rest, healing, and sacredness in their own way feels like a collective act of restoration. In a world that often denies us the space to slow down, this show is a necessary offering.

Nourishing Well will be a source of inspiration I return to whenever I feel blocked. I always say that the stories of others fuel my creative practice, and this exhibition is an extension of that. Even small moments, such as dropping off our pieces and seeing each other’s work in its raw form before curation, have taught me lessons in vulnerability and connection.

Every artist in this show is exceptional, and I’m honored to share space with them. A special shout out to Rain Wilson, whose Fire and Flowers performance was my introduction to her work. It was life-changing. Being alongside such brilliant artists is humbling and deeply affirming.

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

I was inspired to contribute from the moment I heard the intention of Mariah’s thesis. She expressed a desire to have a visual component and requested the participation of her tribe. It was only a “yes” for me. To speak to black women, loving, resting, finding space, and existing out loud is all messaging I rally behind.

The show has evolved since we originally showed it, and I have also evolved. This show was first presented to me in a season when I had lost a lot. I had decided to live in my truth and authenticity; unfortunately, this cost me many loved ones.

My close friend JayAmi took me by the hand and brought me into the arms of her loving friend group. I found black and brown women creatives, just like me. I was able to be “Nourished Well” in the midst of immense grief. Thankfully, one of the greatest responses to oppression or suppression is expression. I was able with my new friends to heal out loud. I was given the opportunity to speak through the suffering. To show my community a tale of overcoming. Ironically, soon after the show I would experience a different kind of loss. I went through a strange series of unfortunate events. But what I gained was clarity, I learned to love myself, I learned that vulnerability leads to victory. The pieces I am showing this time around display my growth, resilience, and still reflect the value of community.

Without my community this work would not have been made.

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

This is a needed question considering the landscape of America lately. What is Sacred? What happens when what was once solace becomes sorrowful? As of late sacred has meant being intentional about making time and supporting like-hearted creatives in the city. A few weeks ago I went to a 1000 Words Gallery and it was beautifully curated by Sarah Jene’ with creatives in mind. It was encouraging Rest as being an act of resistance.

That entire day felt sacred, felt like sanctuary, felt like choirs singing. I was so grateful for her. I have also been making time to be with my tribe. Going to events, listening to their poetry, their concerts…living despite the tumultuous nature of this life.

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

This answer would have been different four weeks ago. This week it feels imperative. I feel honored, it feels like a love letter to Indianapolis. With these women we get to tell our entire community here we are together. Triple minorities with so much beauty, life, talent, and greatness. To know I am showing with some of the most gifted black women in our city is a privilege. I have heard the back stories, we have critiqued each other, gassed each other up. I feel joy in my heart and I look forward to sharing space with them all.

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

What inspired your contribution to Nourishing Well, and how does it connect to your personal or artistic journey?

I was inspired by the theme. The idea of the poetics, sacred space, language and art as tools for healing and justice all resonates deeply with me.  To have space on the walls of a show of the visionary Mariah Ivey with other black women who I see myself in and them in me is a gift, is healing in itself that I believe will translate to those who walk in the gallery-of all identifications.

What does the idea of a sacred space mean to you beyond this show, in your life and work?

I am a praying woman, a spoken word artist, one who asks and expects in my life for that which is holy and sacred to guide me in every aspect of my life – the way I walk , talk and groove in this world. My life’s journey is one that has been saved through art – art is church for me in a lot of ways – has been a nourishing and sacred  space for me to untie knots, get free, channel rage and pain that rises from oppression and the witnessing of injustice. Revelation comes through my art, through the language of each poem, inside the labor and birthing process of every play and so sacred is the ground I attempt to firmly stand upon as I climb out of hollow valley places to where the people are with me wanting and waiting to be nourished.

What was it like working alongside other Black women artists for this exhibition?

I did not know most of the women as I was new to the exhibit. The few I knew I got to know better just by absorbing the greatness and power that lived in their poetry, film and photography. The others and I bonded with during opening reception just by the solidarity that existed without words – in our common rise and fall as black women who are all very empathetic and desire making a difference for ourselves and others and launching or clarifying our narrative. The love in the room that evening with few familiar faces but many unfamiliar was palpable. I am grateful for the joy it covered me with.