Visit us at the Petersburg Public Library: https://www.ppls.org/

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Come. Discover the Wonder Within You.

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About Joshua “Ray” Branch-Howell:

Website: https://joshuaraystudio.com/

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Born in Hopewell in 2003 and raised in the Petersburg/Chesterfield tri-county area, Ray began making art at just two years old after being diagnosed with autism. Influenced by music, he has developed a style rooted in experimentation and rhythm, often using oil pastels and printmaking as his signature mediums. Many of his works pay tribute to musicians and cultural figures, blending African diasporic traditions with contemporary expression.

Ray’s work has earned recognition nationally and regionally, including exhibitions such as The Space Between Notes: Thelonious Monk Tribute Exhibition at Paper Mill Playhouse, the National Conference of Artists MLK Jr. Commemorative Exhibition at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and The EMERGE IX Exhibition at the Bond Millen Gallery. His triptych The Path of Monk is part of the official Thelonious Monk Estate collection.

Currently living in Colonial Heights, Ray is completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts at Virginia State University. His recent projects explore themes of music, cultural identity, and social commentary, making Jazzology a celebration of rhythm, creativity, and local culture.

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