Empact Art was born out of a shared passion for people, art, and the radical idea that leading with empathy is essential to the human condition. Founded by community artist Ali Mirsky and C.G. Duffy, in an effort to create a vibrant hub to inspire, heal, and bring people together through the magic of art.

Ali Mirsky

Director of Almost Everything

Ali has been working in mosaics for the past 20 years, leading public art projects around the world.

Duffy’s early career as wilderness therapy guide, teacher, and a youth mentor has served as a foundation to their mindful approach to art and community placemaking.

In 2021 these two met and quickly discovered their shared passion for art, creative expression and genuine love for people. They quickly formed a dynamic artnership, offering a variety of diverse skill sets, experience and an abundance of creativity.

Duffy

Colorerer

Meet the Team

  • Nashell Ledesma

    Backbone of all Behind the Scenes Things

    Hi! My name is Nashell Ledesma and I am a Dominican-American artist located here in the Baltimore area. I graduated from Towson University with a BFA in Art & Design while taking a concentration in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking. I have a strong dedication in community engagement, wellness and cultural inclusivity. I am passionate about bringing individuals journeys to life through mixed media, painting and public beautification projections while incorporating themes of storytelling, nostalgia, Latin influences and paying tribute to one's ancestry.

  • Danyett Tucker

    Artist in Residency

    With a B.A. in Fine Art from Morgan State University, D.L. Tucker has worked collaboratively on countless interdisciplinary projects exploring innovative ways to create art for social change since 2009.  She is a dedicated community artist that is passionate about using mixed media art and narrative storytelling to support mental health awareness, embrace strength through adversity, and to help build a more inclusive society for everyone.  This loving wife and mother of five creates personal narratives through doll making, puppetry, murals and comics. 

    Follow the artist at https://www.dajzhavu.com or https://www.instagram.com/dajzhavu/

  • Rikiesha Metzger

    Community Art Collaborator

    Rikiesha Metzger is a multifaceted, interdisciplinary International Community Artist-Philosopher who explores themes related to race, identity, and ideas about the spiritual. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, her experience as a military child ignited her interest in diverse cultures. Now, as an artist-philosopher, she travels extensively, collaborating with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

    Her academic background includes bachelor’s degrees from NC A&T State University and Morgan State University, a master’s from Maryland Institute College of Art, and a PhD from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, which speak to her dedication as a lifelong learner in the arts and education.

    Built upon a strong spiritual foundation, her work highlights how art can be used as a tool to help interpret the language of the spirit. Her work speaks to the idea of freedom in a way that allows one to express the spiritual in any form they choose, whether it be God, the divine, the creator, the universe, or anything else that connects individuals to higher dimensions of spiritual consciousness. Drawing inspiration from her children, and spiritual influences that remain unseen but felt, her works include projects rooted in community engagement, performance, installation pieces, paper cut, wire sculpture, digital media, and quilting.ere

  • Nikki Brooks

    Community Art Collaborator

    Nikki Brooks is a multi-disciplinary artist that works specifically in installations and assemblage that are infused with digital and audio elements, paintings, sculpted text, and collage spaces.

    Nikki is a Maryland based artist, born in Brooklyn and raised in Spotsylvania County Virginia. She received her M.F.A. from Maryland Institute College of Art, class of 2019. She has 17 years’ experience as an art teacher and currently works for Prince George’s County Public Schools.

    “Activism has been embedded within me since the day my mother guided me to understand the origin of my culture and role within this society.”