by Don Mooney 5-15-26
The artist, Sunshine, proudly displays her ‘Can You See’ series work from Orange Mound institution My Cup Of Tea. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis, Tenn—On a normal day the sun shines on Orange Mound providing doses of natural vitamin D. Parents encourage outside activities for many of their children. This weeks sun was shinning both outside and in at the corner of Semmes and Carnes, the Orange Mound community refuge – My Cup Of Tea. A visual dose of sunshine has been a welcome addition by visual artist Cher’yiah Sunshine, whose art is on display this week.
If you’re thinking why My Cup Of Tea, glad you asked? The non-profit located in the heart of the oldest black community in America mission statement speaks to its focus of cultivating women with valuable skills from finance to gardening. This week their reach features Sunshine, a Mississippi native and former student at University of Memphis.
Sunshine here with Cup of Tea founder (l) Cary Moore and coordinator (r) Cheryl Henderson hopes to turn her passion for art into a sustainable career. photo by Don Mooney
Sunshine’s art draws from her experiences growing up in Mississippi. This weeks subject matter is a mix of mediums. “My main medium is collage work and some mix media as well,” states Sunshine. Pieces on display were created from digital ideas on her iPad, transferred and expressed in collages and patterns on Japanese paper known as Washi tape.
photo by Don Mooney
Sunshine and family returned to the Memphis-area after three-years in Hawaii where she was a solders wife with her military husband. Now back on familiar turf Sunshine is in the process of establishing some artistic momentum and following her dreams. Sunshine expresses, “I’m grateful to My Cup of Tea. Its a great opportunity and basically a launching pad.”