Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs invites you to Mass Mixed Media by A.J. Barbel. An opening reception will be held in the Orange County Multicultural Center Art Gallery at on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the program begins at 5:15 p.m. Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested.
Achille “A.J.” Barbel is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a passion for visual storytelling. Born in St. Thomas, USVI, and raised in Florida and Chicago, A.J. developed a keen eye for detail early on, using art as both a creative outlet and a means of expression. His work examines how culture, media, and identity intersect. Working in both physical and digital mediums, he explores layered narratives.
With an Associate of Fine Arts from Valencia College and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University, he merges traditional illustration with digital craftsmanship. Inspired by artists like Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Pablo Picasso, his work often incorporates symbolism—subtle or bold—to provoke thought and emotion.
A.J. believes that art, like life, is open to interpretation, and his mission is to create work that resonates. As writer Cesar Cruz once said, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
Barbel shares, “I create work that blends abstraction with Afro-surrealism to explore truth, memory, and cultural identity. Through murals, installations, and animation, I reimagine history and everyday life in ways that spark reflection. My art connects personal storytelling with collective experiences, inviting audiences to see the familiar in new and thought-provoking ways.”
RSVP for Opening Reception HERE.
Matt Richardson 
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