2023 Art competition

CONGRATULATIONS TO Steven O’Connor!
WINNER OF THE 4th ANNUAL LEIMERT PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL ART COMPETITION!

Steven OConnor (1973-) is a full-time Los Angeles based Logo Design professional with 25 years of experience. Born in Chicago and raised in Inglewood, his work has been recognized and featured in numerous design publications worldwide.

“Leimert Park is a diasporan hub of creativity that has provided decades of inspiration for artists like me. My contribution to the 4th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival Art Competition is a gesture of reciprocity. A seamless outgrowth of my passion for jazz, history, and cultural ephemera that captures the spirit of our time. This is my first foray into the fine arts world following on the heels of a 25-year career as a logo designer for national and global brands. My professional work has been featured in numerous publications worldwide. Entering this art competition served as a personal challenge to myself to stretch into new territory.

Working in collage reflects the rich kaleidoscope of experiences I've encountered over the years growing up in Inglewood, traveling the world and connecting with my ancestral roots in the American South and the West Indies. Being selected as the official Visual Artist and having my piece become the commemorative poster for the 4th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival (2023) is a tremendous honor. My hope is that the piece inspires a new generation of creatives to explore careers in the arts.”

Finalists

Amanda Flowers is an oil pastel painter who was studying to be an astrophysicist at Arizona State University when life rerouted her. She returned to California and obtained her AA in Entrepreneurship while taking qualifying art classes at Pasadena City College. She is currently participating in the art program at Cal State LA. 

Julian Gooden grew up all over Los Angeles, from Venice Beach to “the Dons” in Baldwin Hills.
“Art is my way of life, it's how I look at and experience the world. I believe the ability to think critically and open your soul will heal any wound. With the brush and the pencil, I create alternate realities. I specialize in murals, graphic design, and acrylic on canvas.”

Stop by the Visual Arts Pavilion to meet current and prior winners and finalists, and to view their artwork, which will be on display and available to purchase. (Visual Arts Pavilion managed by Aziz Gallery.)