Dana Powell-Smith
“My favorite story to tell through my paintings is the story of us: the stories of the Black family, of our love for one another, our strength, our perseverance, our styles and our intelligence.” – Dana Powell-Smith
In February, Herd Strategies celebrates Black History Month by amplifying Black artists, poets and musicians. We seek to highlight creatives who are voices of the Black community today and share the stories of Black artists in history whose work paved the way for future generations. One person who fully recognizes the impact of Black artists who have come before her is Dana Powell-Smith, an Indianapolis-based abstract artist who honors her family and lineage through her work.
The granddaughter of Harlem Renaissance artist and art therapy pioneer Georgette Seabrooke Powell, Dana Powell-Smith was immersed in the art world from a young age. Her sweetest childhood memories include joining her grandmother as she advocated in public spaces in Washington, D.C., and painting alongside other children on the sidewalk and in the park. Dana continued to paint in private for over a decade until she experienced a traumatic brain injury. Though doctors told her she would never be able to work again, Dana pushed herself to overcome all limitations, relearning how to walk and even pursuing a new collegiate degree. Soon after, Dana was moved to pick up her brushes again to help process her anger and grief surrounding the televised police killings of Black men. She has painted every day since, showing her art under the name “Georgette’s Granddaughter” in tribute to her primary inspiration. She aspires to one day start an arts scholarship foundation for emerging artists.
As a wife, mother and grandmother, Dana understands the power of art in generational healing and attaining freedom. “Art has always been my go-to for peace of mind. I don’t know what life would look like without art,” she said. As she has used her art to help release ancestral trauma, her paintings have shifted in style from figurative to abstract. Her art showcases deep, majestic colors and dynamic metallic hues, occasionally featuring figures. She also incorporates fluid acrylic pouring in her work, allowing the pigments to interact with each other and form rippling patterns. Dana has pushed through misconceptions that, as a Black artist, her pieces must feature Black figures. Abstract art is Black art.
The messaging behind Dana’s work is personal, as she uses her art to share Black history and the Black experience. “My favorite story to tell through my paintings is the story of us: the stories of the Black family, of our love for one another, our strength, our perseverance, our styles and our intelligence,” she said. Dana’s art celebrates Black history by honoring those who opened the doors that would allow future generations to succeed. She emphasized, “If you don’t know where you came from, how can you know where you’re going?”
A piece especially dear to Dana’s heart is a Black History Month painting that is being featured on products sold in all 250 Meijer stores. “I’m most proud of that piece because the products contain reminders of those who paved the way for us,” she said. The piece is a story about kids who were asked to do a Black History Month project. They decided to create a red, black and green mural featuring the names of Black people throughout history, tired of learning about the same few people in class every year. Dana shared that she hopes the piece will prompt others to research inspirational Black historical figures that are not as widely known, this month and every month. “The products these images are on are reminders that Black history is not only in February,” Dana said. “Black history is all year.”
To keep up with Dana, follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Purchase her art by visiting her website or by shopping her Black History Month collection at Meijer.
