SheROCKS Event

Steeped in the cosmic energy of the ’70s and the soulful nostalgia of the ’90s, Brianna Chantel Woodard brings a vibrant, time-bending perspective to contemporary storytelling through illustration. Her art is both a tribute to the culture that raised her and a love letter to the people and moments that shaped her. During this Q&A, Brianna opens up about the memories that guide her, the purpose behind her preservation of Black joy, and the powerful ways motion, tradition, and innovation show up in her work.

Q: What continually draws you back to the 70s and 90s, and how do they help you tell modern stories about Black culture and your own lived experience?

Brianna: The ’70s and ’90s were eras that embodied Black expression in its fullest form, through fashion, art, music, and culture. I’m drawn to the vibrant colors and cosmic energy of the ’70s, while the ’90s carry a nostalgic warmth for me as a ’90s baby. My art becomes a visual manifestation of everything that shaped me. When I tap into these eras, I’m revisiting memories, honoring my family, and celebrating the culture that raised me. By blending these aesthetics with contemporary design, I show how timeless our stories truly are.  

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Q: What role does cultural preservation play in your creative process?

Brianna: It’s at the center of everything I do. My work is a love letter to the people and moments that built me. I want my art to hold our joy, our everyday beauty, our small victories — the things that don’t always get documented but deserve to be. Preserving culture, for me, is simply honoring the truth that we’ve always been more than what the world tries to reduce us to.

Q: Can you share a moment when you felt your art truly bridged generations?

Brianna: A moment that showed me my art could bridge generations was when my grandma bought the very first item I ever posted on Etsy—a coffee mug with my retro design of a Black woman with an afro. She was so excited.  Now it’s her favorite cup. Seeing her cherish something I created reminded me how deeply our stories can resonate across time.

Q: How did your adolescence — shaped by isolation and health challenges — influence your art today?

Brianna: Growing up isolated made me pay attention to what most people overlook. I spent a lot of time alone with my imagination, creating worlds I could escape to. That season taught me intentionality, softness, and resilience. Now, when I create, I’m always thinking about how to bring warmth, comfort, and affirmation into the work.

Q: What does motion symbolize for you when representing Black bodies and Black futures?

Brianna: Movement symbolizes freedom and becoming. It reminds me that we’re not fixed — we evolve, we stretch, we rise. I use motion to show our joy, our fluidity, our refusal to be boxed in. For me, capturing Black movement is a way of saying: we are infinite, and the future bends with us.

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Q: What emotions or messages do you hope people carry after experiencing your work?‍

Brianna: I want people to feel seen and celebrated. I hope people walk away with pride in who they are and a reminder that beauty can be found in everyday moments.‍

Q: How do you choose which memories, travels, or references to depict?‍

Brianna: I choose the moments that stick with me. I pay attention to the things that spark emotion. If something feels like it has a story attached to it, I try to honor it visually.

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Q: How do you balance honoring tradition while experimenting with new styles or mediums?‍

Brianna: To me, tradition and innovation can exist in the same breath. I’m constantly exploring new mediums and techniques because I want my work to evolve in a way that mirrors our culture—expansive, layered, and ever-evolving. Honoring tradition grounds me, but it also pushes me to reflect on the present and imagine what comes next.‍

Rapid fire: One retro color palette you could use forever — go!‍

Brianna: Burnt orange, mustard yellow, warm brown, and deep berry!

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Q: What are you most excited for audiences to feel or discover at your March 2026 showcase?‍

Brianna: I’m excited for audiences to see the evolution of my work, but also to feel the heart behind it. If someone walks out feeling inspired, affirmed, or a little more connected to their own story, then I’ve done my job.

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Talent deserves more than recognition, it deserves a stage. We're thrilled to announce our SheROCKS 2026 showcase artists:

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Ainae, Singer/Songwriter

Avanna Duff, Visual Artist

Camille Fleur, Singer/Songwriter

Brianna Chantel Woodard, illustrator

Emily De Lima, Multidisciplinary Artist

Leah Humphrey, Singer/Songwriter

Cybèle, Singer/Songwriter/Composer

Ren Wright, Singer/Musician

Emily Alff, Photographer

Lilo Marz, Spoken Word Poet

Makhyli, Singer/Songwriter

LaTeisha Melvin, Dancer

Tori Carlisle (TzoArt), Visual Artist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE STATE OF FEM ART ANNOUNCES DATES FOR THE 2024 SHEROCKS EVENT, A SHIFT ENCOURAGING ACTION DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Washington, DC - March 5, 2024 - The State of Fem Art (SOFemArt) proudly reveals the dates for its highly anticipated annual SheROCKS event, with a different approach this year. This year’s event will take place on September 27th-28th in the nation’s capital, a shift from the event historically taking place in March. Instead of hosting their event during Women’s History month, SOFemArt is using the month to urge others to resource women in the arts and business by investing into women-owned businesses and artists. 

Founder Timea Faulkner emphasizes the importance of moving beyond women's empowerment into tangible action, as discussed in her recent Forbes interview. “The State of Fem Art believes that we can make true impact by using Women's History Month as a powerful catalyst to encourage the intentional resourcing of the women in business and arts we say we support and admire. The shift in moving the event to a later date serves as a call for brands and organizations to continue to support women by helping them to flourish beyond Women’s History Month.”

The SheROCKS celebration will kick off with SheROCKS HerStory on March 27th, a day dedicated to inspiring talks, moving stories, networking opportunities, and workshops for women in business and the arts. The event will culminate with the SheROCKS signature event and artist showcase on March 28th, featuring live performances, art installations, film screenings, entertainment, networking, shopping, and more.

Building on the success of last year's decade celebration in 2023, the 2024 SheROCKS event promises an even more impactful and immersive experience. Exclusive invite-only events, surprise announcements, and special guests will be unveiled in the lead-up to the main event.

SheROCKS is an inclusive celebration open to everyone enthusiastic about honoring women as cultural curators shaping our world through their contributions to the arts, business, and technology.

For media inquiries, please contact:

press@lovelifemedia.com

About SheROCKS Event

SheROCKS is a signature event by The State of Fem Art for emerging women artists and entrepreneurs. Each year the event showcases women in performing and visual arts while creating ways to accelerate support among women entrepreneurs.

About The State of Fem Art (SOFemArt)

SOFemArt is a community-driven platform committed to amplifying the voices and work of women artists through mentorship, resources, opportunities, funding, and curation. We do this by putting a lens back on raw talent, putting the resources in the hands of artists, and putting the power of amplification back into the hands of fans to work towards a more equitable arts, entertainment, and tech industry.

Connect with The State of Fem Art

• Website: www.sofemart.com
• Social Media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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