To be a Muse in L.A. by Shaylen Nelson

“One of the most inspiring art experiences I’ve had recently. Shaylen Nelson’s exhibition challenged the idea of who gets to be a muse by centering everyday Black women in Los Angeles. The show featured 100 portraits of Black women painted over 100 days, displayed together in a way that felt both intimate and monumental. He also recreated a 90s bedroom installation that instantly transported me back in time. The entire exhibition reminded me that art can be both beautiful and deeply human—that we are all worthy of being seen, celebrated, and remembered. I left feeling inspired to create more and pay closer attention to the people around me. Why it made my Rec League: Because it reminded me that ordinary people are extraordinary subjects we all have a story. The show felt like a love letter to Black women, Los Angeles, and the idea that everyone deserves to be someone’s muse.”