Before she even put brush to canvas, Vernicia Respres knew she wanted to paint the feeling of jazz.
Respres, the Atlanta-based artist, entrepreneur, and founder of BRUSHED Gallery & Studios, is behind the official artwork for the 48th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival: a spotlight-soaked piece titled Streetlight Jazz. The work captures a saxophonist mid-performance, washed in color and movement.
“I immediately flashed back to the many years I attended the Atlanta Jazz Festival while growing up in this beautiful, vibrant city,” Respres said of her artistic process. “I thought to myself, ‘What image would truly reflect the essence of jazz and honor the colorful city I love?’”
The answer: a brightly colored tribute to sound and soul. “The saxophonist is both aware of the crowd and lost in his craft,” Respres explained. “That duality – the tension between performance and personal immersion – is something I think all artists understand deeply.”
Streetlight Jazz will be featured on this year’s official Atlanta Jazz Festival poster and limited-edition t-shirts available during the event, which runs Memorial Day Weekend, May 24–26, at Piedmont Park.
“This is not just a career highlight. It’s a life highlight,” Respres said. “To have my work out in the world like this, not just in my own gallery but across Atlanta, is a huge affirmation. It came at a time when I really needed it.”
Respres is no stranger to hustle. A lifelong artist, she launched BRUSHED in 2018 as a luxury art studio and gallery focused on creative access, community, and healing. BRUSHED offers art classes, curated retail, private events, and live painting sessions.
“You don’t need to ‘understand’ every note or brushstroke to feel its weight. They’re both about creating emotional resonance and finding beauty in the unexpected.”—Vernicia Respres, Artist/ BRUSHED Gallery & Studios Owner
During the pandemic, Respres pivoted to virtual offerings, connecting with isolated and underserved communities through remote paint parties and digital experiences. That evolution has since led to national attention, including an appearance on Netflix’s Instant Dream Home and the launch of her own platform, Brushed TV, which streams original art content.
“Sometimes I get caught up in the day-to-day of running my studio and I forget that painting is my first love,” Respres said. “This project reminded me of that. It inspired three more pieces that continue the story, almost like a visual jam session.”
Respres’s creative process, like jazz itself, was rooted in improvisation. She worked while listening to John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Kamasi Washington, Esperanza Spalding, and old live recordings, finding inspiration in not just the melodies but also in glasses clinking and crowd murmurs.
“If a painting doesn’t carry a specific vibration, I know I’m not done yet,” she said. “Jazz mirrors that instinct. Most people listening can’t tell when the musicians are improvising. You don’t need to ‘understand’ every note or brushstroke to feel its weight. They’re both about creating emotional resonance and finding beauty in the unexpected.”
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That interplay is what makes Streetlight Jazz more than a festival commission for Respres.
“It tells the story of a moment – just one – but in that moment, so much lives: the legacy of diverse musicians, the power of performance, the way a single note can quiet a crowd,” Respres said. “The spotlight in the painting isn’t just lighting the musician. It’s honoring him.”
As a Black woman artist and business owner, Respres doesn’t take the moment for granted. “I’ve poured into my community for years. Showing up at events, mentoring, offering affordable classes, advocating for art and mental wellness. This tells me that labor is being recognized. That my expression matters.”
It is her hope that Streetlight Jazz inspires the next generation to see themselves in Atlanta’s creative story.
“I feel a deep responsibility to give every guest at the festival something unforgettable,” Respres said. “I truly hope it’s just the beginning.”
The 48th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival takes place May 24–26, 2025, in Piedmont Park and is free to attend. View the full schedule and artist lineup at atljazzfest.com.
