Welcome to the Nia Network: A Program Bureau, a division of Celeste Bateman & Associates. The program bureau features visual and performing artists, historians, writers and motivational speakers of African descent who present in various venues nationally and internationally. CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals who are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, schools, churches, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. What makes this program bureau unique is that all of the participants present topics and art forms pertaining to the African Diaspora.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
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Janet Taylor Pickett
Janet Taylor Pickett was born Janet Erline Taylor on August 13th, 1948 to Ethel Beard Taylor and Dempsey Taylor, Jr., both deceased. She lived for 13 years in Ypsilanti Michigan, and then, she and her parents moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Upon her graduation from Ann Arbor High School (now known as Pioneer High), she attended the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. From there she graduated with a BFA and then went to Graduate School to receive an MFA from the University of Michigan. She has also studied at Parsons School of Design and FIT in New York, and the Vermont Studio School.
She became supervisor of the Junior Museum of the Newark Museum in 1973. In 1974 she began teaching full time at Essex County College in Newark, NJ, where she became a full professor. She is now retired after over 30 years of teaching.
Janet has a daughter, Samantha Taylor Pickett, an attorney.
Ms. Pickett has been an active member of the art community of Montclair, NJ for many years. She has received many awards and has had numerous exhibitions around the state, throughout the country and internationally. She has been the recipient of awards from:
· the New Jersey State Council of the Arts
· the Mid-Atlantic State Arts Council
· the Valpariso Foundation of Mojcar, Spain, as well as others.
· Her work is also part of private as well as museum
collections.
Her most recent group exhibitions are:
· Transcultural New Jersey: Diverse Artists Shaping Culture and
Communities at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
· The Monmouth Museum in Threaded Through The Fiber Arts ‘Culture
and Memories
· The Noyes Museum – Icons, Symbols & Alters, The Montclair
Museum – Celebrating 90 Years
· The commemorative poster for the 30th Anniversary of the
Newark Black Film Festival 2004
· The Newark Museum Community Gallery – “Art Explores Religion,”
and “Growing Up – Childhood in Art” at the Montclair Art Museum
September 2003
· Solo exhibition at the University of Eastern New Mexico in 2004
· She has also completed a limited edition of hand colored
intaglios in an artist’s handmade book called Me and
Matisse Art Museum.
Ms. Taylor-Pickett has also be seen creating handmade art cards and her own designed and embellished “handbags” in a episode of a new series on HGTV called Crafters Coast to Coast. (episode #129). Janet is also slated to be part of a documentary film called Working Title: Exploring the Vocational Identity of the Contemporary American Artist
She became supervisor of the Junior Museum of the Newark Museum in 1973. In 1974 she began teaching full time at Essex County College in Newark, NJ, where she became a full professor. She is now retired after over 30 years of teaching.
Janet has a daughter, Samantha Taylor Pickett, an attorney.
Ms. Pickett has been an active member of the art community of Montclair, NJ for many years. She has received many awards and has had numerous exhibitions around the state, throughout the country and internationally. She has been the recipient of awards from:
· the New Jersey State Council of the Arts
· the Mid-Atlantic State Arts Council
· the Valpariso Foundation of Mojcar, Spain, as well as others.
· Her work is also part of private as well as museum
collections.
Her most recent group exhibitions are:
· Transcultural New Jersey: Diverse Artists Shaping Culture and
Communities at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
· The Monmouth Museum in Threaded Through The Fiber Arts ‘Culture
and Memories
· The Noyes Museum – Icons, Symbols & Alters, The Montclair
Museum – Celebrating 90 Years
· The commemorative poster for the 30th Anniversary of the
Newark Black Film Festival 2004
· The Newark Museum Community Gallery – “Art Explores Religion,”
and “Growing Up – Childhood in Art” at the Montclair Art Museum
September 2003
· Solo exhibition at the University of Eastern New Mexico in 2004
· She has also completed a limited edition of hand colored
intaglios in an artist’s handmade book called Me and
Matisse Art Museum.
Ms. Taylor-Pickett has also be seen creating handmade art cards and her own designed and embellished “handbags” in a episode of a new series on HGTV called Crafters Coast to Coast. (episode #129). Janet is also slated to be part of a documentary film called Working Title: Exploring the Vocational Identity of the Contemporary American Artist