On February 8, 2025 at Hartford ArtSpace, we came together for Express Your Magic, an exhibition where each artist shared their unique interpretation of what magic means to them. From vibrant paintings and intricate sculptures to stunning textiles and mixed media pieces, this show was a true celebration of creativity, self-expression, and the unseen forces that inspire us.
I’m so grateful to have curated and exhibited alongside this talented group of artists, and I’d love for you to get to know them better. Below, you’ll find a little more about each of them—their backgrounds, inspirations, and what makes their work so special.
If you weren’t able to attend the opening, or just want to relive the night, I’ve shared my reflections and photos from the reception here. It was a truly magical evening filled with art, community, sound healing, and oracle readings.
And don’t forget—this exhibition is also about giving back! We’re raising funds for Kenway’s Cause (an animal rescue) and Free Hart Closet (making art more accessible to the community). If you’d like to support, donations can be made online directly on their websites.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Now, let’s meet the artists! ✨🎨
JASLENI BRITO
Jasleni Brito is the art witch behind La Caribeña Oracle and the organizer of the EXPRESS YOUR MAGIC art show. Bringing together a diverse group of artists, she invites you to celebrate creativity, community, and magick. Jasleni is passionate about storytelling and collaboration, creating art and spaces that inspire connection and self-discovery.
CHE' LA'MORA
Che’ La’Mora is an Artist, Author, & Therapist. She focuses is on holistic health and wellness through artistic expression. She is a Hartford native and has served her community for 20 years through her art and therapeutic services.
Learn more about Che’ at CheLaMora.com
CAROLINE FINNEGAN
Caroline Finnegan is a relentlessly curious artist working with clay, flowers, soil and soul. She finds her joy through teaching, swimming in wild waters, and befriending crows. She has taught yoga and meditation since 2007 and holds many advanced certifications in her fields.
Contact Caroline at caro@carolinefinnegan.com
LOUISA BARTON-DUGUAY
Louisa Barton-Duguay creates whimsical paintings, pottery, and sculpture, using a variety of objects. Her work identifies with nature, connectivity and the universe. You can find her workingon public pollinator gardens or painting murals to beautify her neighborhood.
Contact Louisa at louisa.barton.duguay@gmail.com
GABRIELLE FLUDD
Gabrielle Fludd was born in Cleveland, Ohio and dreamed of being a painter, fashion designer and children's book artist when she grew up. Her family moved to Georgia in 1990 and she graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002 with a major in Illustration and has been a freelance artist and graphic designer ever since. She has illustrated children's books for numerous authors. When creating mixed media paintings, Gabrielle enjoys experimenting with bold colors, patterns, fabric, found objects and other 3D elements for her tactile paintings.
To contact Gabrielle visit GiftofGabby.com
MEGAN VICTORIA
Megan Victoria is a painter and doll maker, inspired by comparative anatomy of vertebrate life forms and reducing the harm of climate change. She believes that humans have an obligation to be stewards of the Earth that live in community with one another to make the world worth living in.
To contact Megan visit meganmvictoria.com
ALEX BUSHNIK
My name is Alexander Bushnik, a Connecticut-based ceramic artist with an Associate Degree in Visual Arts from Manchester Community College. My passion for ceramics deepened during my studies and a wood-firing internship, where I refined my skills in traditional wood-firing techniques. My large-scale ceramic sculptures combine creativity and imagination, often exploring themes of time, nature, and the intersection of humanity and technology—inviting viewers to reflect on life’s precious moments.
Contact Alex at alexbushnik@gmail.com
MADELINE ELDRIDGE
Madeline Eldridge is a visual artist from Connecticut which is where she received a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Since graduating, she has begun focusing on methods and materials such as hand embroidery and fibers to supplement her painting and drawing practice.
Learn more about Madeline at madelineeldridge.com
SAEDI MCLAUGHLIN
Saedi McLaughlin is a mixed media artist inspired by nature and her rich ancestral lineage. Her work blends organic materials with ancestral and cultural narratives, creating pieces that honor cultural identity and the environment. Saedi’s art invites reflection on the interconnectedness of history, self, and the natural world.
Contact Saedit at mclaughlinm.saedi@gmail.com
JOANN BROMLEY
JoAnn is a creative soul with an insatiable curiosity for learning and exploring. She is self-taught, but her lifelong pursuit for learning has participated in multiple workshops and classes in both the visual and performing arts. She received her BA in theater performance from Rhode Island College. She has taught, directed, produced, and given talks in multiple venues. Her art is an eclectic mix of color, mediums and textures.
Contact JoAnn at theatricalexpres@aol.com
ZACH HARRIGAN
I’m Zach, originally from New Britain, Connecticut, now living in Newington. I've been creating art for as long as I can remember. Through my work, I aim to show that mistakes can enhance, not ruin, a piece. I'm excited to finally share my art!
Contact Zach at zach.harrigan@gmail.com
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