What is Tessera Arts Collective?

Studio. Gallery. Nonprofit.

tes·sera : a small piece (as of marble, glass, or tile) used in mosaic work

Tessera Arts Collective (TAC) is a non-profit arts organization founded in 2018 that supports womxn (including queer, trans, femme and non-binary) abstract artists of color by providing opportunities, resources, and programming that elevates their work and practice. Tessera currently operates a storefront studio & gallery space on Frankford Avenue located in the Kensington neighborhood of North Philadelphia . Tessera propels women artists of color to take their rightful place in the art world by providing a refuge to incubate and nurture creativity.

Tessera Arts Collective was born out of A'Driane Nieves frustration with the lack of opportunities for non-traditional and emerging visual artists of color, and the racial & gender disparities that have existed in the art world for too long. A'Driane believes Black and Brown women shouldn't have to rely on institutions and traditional models to have their creative work experienced by the public. She believes creating our own lanes affords us more control of our work, allows us to drive the narratives around it, and provides more outlets of access and engagement for artists and communities alike. Through community events (art making and professional development workshops, film screenings, exhibitions, salons, Open Studio tours, etc), a fellowship program, a future residency program, and space rental opportunities, TAC is a supportive resource for both local artists, and the neighborhood, embodying the ethos of my great grandmother's former candy shop.