The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond, to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.
Brenda Singletary
Artist/Instructor Toledo Museum of ArtEducationToledo Ohio 43623 United StatesWork Singletary Studio – 425 Jefferson Suite 304 425 Jefferson County: Ohio
Toledo Ohio 43623 United States Home Phone: 3132046504 Birthday: May 23, 1954 Website: Brenda Singletary Fine Art
Bio
Brenda Singletary: Life in Art, Resilience, and Community
Artist, Storyteller, and Educator
Brenda Singletary’s artistic journey is a tapestry woven from her roots in Detroit, her education at Atlanta’s Historically Black College, Morris Brown, and her graduate studies at Goddard College in Vermont. With over four decades spent living and creating in Atlanta, Brenda returned to Detroit as caretaker for her father, before settling in Toledo in 2021, each move shaping the fabric of her personal and artistic evolution.
Her art is both revelatory and healing. Brenda’s mixed media and sculptural works invite viewers to encounter hidden histories and unspoken truths, deeply honoring the enduring legacy of the African American experience. Her creative work embodies both resilience and beauty, as highlighted in her celebrated 2024 exhibit, “Reflections of Spirit,” at the Toledo Museum of Art. The passing of her husband in December 2023 had a deep impact on her creative work.
That emotional path led her into a layered visual language of texture and dimension. Her works often contrast softness and hardness – fabric against wire, smooth passages against raw edges – mirroring the tension between memory and absence. Singletary began asking a central question: If grief had form, what would it look like? This collection captures the complex landscape of love, mourning, and hope.
Brenda’s influence extends far beyond the canvas. She has exhibited at the University of Michigan’s Institute for the Humanities and has been a trusted voice as a panel judge for the President’s Commission on White House Fellows in Washington, D.C., where one of her original paintings has adorned the Director’s office for more than 27 years.
She has received many awards, grants, and international acclaim for her art. Today, Brenda is a fixture in the Toledo creative community, Instructor at the Toledo Museum of Art and teaching from her inviting third-floor studio downtown. Whether mentoring new artists or unveiling new truths through her vibrant creations, Brenda Singletary continues to inspire—with every brushstroke, a celebration of spirit and an invitation to see the world anew.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
Brenda Singletary
Family history, relationships, experiences, and cultural influences significantly shape my identity. I believe in continuous evolution, influenced by my memories and stories passed down through generations.
My abstract works reflect personal discoveries spanning the past and present. In my painting process, I engage deeply with color and texture, utilizing various techniques and mediums to allow my work to develop naturally. This creative freedom enables me to produce experimental sculptural paintings without the constraints of traditional wooden stretchers, fostering endless possibilities in my artistic practice. My collection of paintings and sculptural pieces embodies my identity as a woman of color.
My creation process is instinctive. Through visual layers and diverse materials, I explore my paintings, revealing hidden complexities. These elements commemorate the unspoken histories within the black family, celebrating its resilience and beauty. My art aims to honor the human spirit’s intricacies across time. From subject matter to color dynamics, my paintings convey the essence of self-discovery. My mission is to capture and inspire collective experiences.