On Jan. 23, a new exhibition entitled Enduring Spark: 100 Years of Black History opened at Liberty City’s Gato Gordo Gallery in celebration of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s formal recognition of Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month as we know it today.
Curator and gallery owner Oscar Esteban Martinez initially hosted a Black History Month exhibition last year, which received a very positive response from the community.
“That experience showed us the importance of continuing this platform and deepening the conversation,” said Martinez. “For this second edition, we wanted to build on that momentum by reflecting on Black history as something active and ongoing.”
“Soulstice” by Jessica Kirby, acrylic on canvas.
(Elisabeth Campbell for The Miami Times)
Featured in this year’s exhibition is artist Jessica Marie Kirby, a multidisciplinary artist “passionate about creating immersive experiences that push the boundaries of traditional art,” according to her website.
Kirby’s passion for art has been life-long, beginning in kindergarten and nurtured by her family through education. Attending art-focused middle and high schools, she studied painting throughout her teenage years, then branched out into film and animation in college.
“I’m inspired by my need to communicate,” said Kirby. “I’m not quite a writer, so that’s been my way to share these experiences that I feel like live so deep within me.”
Jessica Kirby works on one of her paintings in the studio.
(Courtesy of Jessica Kirby)
Many of Kirby’s paintings are inspired by her dreams. Occasionally, she will take the exact storyline of the dream and try to recreate it, but oftentimes her paintings are inspired by motifs she has experienced over time. These journeys into the mind often find expression in vibrant, surreal landscapes, clouds, and celestial beings.
“I want my paintings to feel like a story,” said Kirby. “I’m capturing these dreams that span over longer moments, but I want the painting to feel almost suspended in time.”
Curator Martinez intended to bring together a diverse group of voices for the exhibition who offered thoughtful, respectful, and meaningful perspectives on Black history. Kirby, a young, Black, female artist was a perfect fit for that vision. Three of her pieces are on display at Enduring Spark, but it wasn’t always easy for Kirby to understand how her work fit into the overarching narrative.
“I’m a Black artist, but am I painting what’s considered Black art?” she asked. “There’s such a perception of what Black art is, to the point where I was actually nervous about this show. When people think Black art and Black history, they often think traditionally. In my work, I spoke from my own perspective. I feel like my contribution to Black art is just making sure that it stays diverse and it stays authentic.”
“Opening Up” by Jessica Kirby, acrylic on canvas.
(Elisabeth Campbell for The Miami Times)
For Kirby, all of her work is rooted in Black history—not just the history of the past, but the history that is currently being made. As a Jamaican-American artist, she celebrates the history and culture of all people. But in the art world, she finds it hard to be taken seriously, especially in the current climate surrounding Black creatives.
“It’s tough for me to get my voice out there and be heard,” said Kirby. “I’m fighting for my name to be respected. Black history is still in the present because we are still fighting for our place. When I force my way to the table, I’m forcing my way as me. I’m not changing how I show up.”
One of the ways Kirby maintains her art practice is through community and the support she receives from others.
“Surrender” by Jessica Kirby, acrylic on canvas.
(Elisabeth Campbell for The Miami Times)
“The community around me inspires me; we really lift each other up,” said Kirby. “We can’t necessarily get lost in our own bubble. I tend to do that. I was in a home studio for a while, and my work felt repetitive until I was able to share it with others—not just the finished product, but the process, and let them help me develop it.”
Kirby believes in the diversity of the Black experience and hopes to capture that in her work.
“[My work] doesn’t have to fit a mold right now,” she said. “A lot of people are surprised to hear that the painter behind my art is Black. It’s something I’ve struggled with. But I just know that what I’m adding to the narrative is my voice and my authenticity, and I hope that my contribution can help broaden the category of Black art.”
Kirby’s work is available for view at Gato Gordo Gallery until Feb. 28, 2026, and it’s free and open to the public. It will be featured at an event on Feb. 12 for Art in Action, an intentional evening of culture and connection showcasing the Enduring Spark exhibition. Tickets are $35, and 100% of the ticket proceeds supports the programs and services of Girls Inc. of Greater Miami.
Find out more about the event at https://givebutter.com/artinaction and more about Jessica Kirby at https://kirbysart.com/.
Close
A visitor views one of Kirby’s paintings at the opening night of the Enduring Spark exhibition at Gato Gordo Gallery.
A guest photographs all three of Kirby’s paintings on view at the Gato Gordo Gallery on January 23, 2026.
Jessica Kirby’s work blends acrylic painting, digital design, and animation.
A visitor views one of Kirby’s paintings at the opening night of the Enduring Spark exhibition at Gato Gordo Gallery.
A guest photographs all three of Kirby’s paintings on view at the Gato Gordo Gallery on January 23, 2026.
Jessica Kirby’s work blends acrylic painting, digital design, and animation.