Charles Eady, Self Liberated, Mixed Media, 70” x 82”

Charles Eady is a mixed-media artist who merges contemporary art with historical documentation to explore overlooked stories of free Black communities in the pre-Civil War South. Born in South Carolina and now residing in Ocala, Florida, Eady graduated from Claflin University with a BA in Art Education. His work has been featured in both national and international competitions, and he has exhibited in a solo show at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala—where his painting American Jockey, depicting an early Black jockey, is now in the permanent collection.

Eady’s painting Anna, named after a character in his book Hidden Freedom, won the 2021 ArtFields Grand Prize; he returned to ArtFields in 2022 as a judge. A former art educator at Belleview High School, Eady was one of only five recipients of the 2022 State Teaching Artist Residency (STAR) at the Hermitage Retreat, honoring exceptional Florida public school art instructors. Through historically grounded visuals, Eady strives to reframe early Southern narratives and foster greater social understanding. He is also an artist in the Puzzled Peace initiative, responding to the removal of African American history from Florida public schools and colleges.

Eady states, “my art is influenced by the population of Blacks who lived free in this country amidst pre-Civil War bondage. Over a decade ago, I heard about ‘free Blacks’ in the South—people counted on the first federal census of South Carolina in 1790, actively petitioning courts and challenging the judicial system—who were not merely passing through with freedom papers. This discovery took me by surprise and contradicted what I thought I knew. My pursuit since then has been to increase awareness of their story and to give the truth of their existence a voice through my art.”

“Both Crealdé School of Art and the Hannibal Square Heritage Center are outstanding institutions. They exemplify how art can unite and inspire a community,” said award-winning, multi-media artist Charles Eady. “I’m looking forward to working with Director Emily Bourmas-Fry in her vision as she continues to promote the importance of the visual arts in our society.”

In addition to his art practice, Eady authored Hidden Freedom: The South Before Racism, broadening the conversation about free Black communities and their legacy. Hidden Freedom will be available for purchase at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center and the Crealdé campus gift shop.” To learn more about his work, visit deepersouth.org or follow him on Instagram at @charleseady.

PJ Svejda, Wisdom, Oil

PJ Svejda studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design, earning both a BA in Illustration and an MA in Painting. She spent 12 years in Atlanta, Georgia, building her career as an artist and instructor before relocating to Orlando, Florida. Svejda is recognized for her passionate narratives exploring coexistence between humanity, animals, and the planet, juxtaposing controversial imagery with a classical style.

Svejda has been deeply involved in animal, environmental, and human-rights advocacy, merging her passion for art with her desire for change. Her paintings tell stories of pain and hope, raising viewers’ self-awareness and encouraging deeper reflection on our shared responsibility to care for the Earth. Through her “Reclaiming Harmony in Wild Spaces” series, she addresses the destruction of nature as both a physical and spiritual loss—reminding us that wild spaces are sanctuaries of connection. By incorporating spiritual symbols and the female form as the spirit of the Earth, Svejda urges a more reverent and empathetic view of our planet.

She is also the founder of Studio Art Farm in Mt. Dora, Florida, a teaching studio and gallery. To learn more about her work, visit www.pjsvejda.com or follow her on Instagram at @pjsvejda.

“I have worked all over Orlando and had the pleasure of working with really incredible artists and curators, but this will be my first time with Crealdé. Crealdé is such a highly regarded pillar in the Orlando art community, and I feel so honored to be invited to show there and also at Heritage Square. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this show happen!” – PJ Svejda

Together, Svejda and Eady offer a profound reflection on humanity’s connection to nature and history, encouraging critical awareness of conservation efforts and the overlooked stories shaping our collective identity.