Bridging Worlds Through Art, Part 2: An Evening with Cbabi Bayoc

Celebrated artist Cbabi Bayoc is known for his vibrant paintings and sprawling public murals that embrace Black joy, family, and community through bold color and empowering imagery. In conversation with his wife and business partner Amber Howlett Bayoc, Cbabi explores how his work now bridges the Mississippi River with his studio located in East St. Louis—bringing the rich culture, stories, and energy of his home community to a wider stage. What does it mean to carry heritage, community, and creative vision across generations and across cities? Grounded in the lineage of regional artists and the communities that nurtured them, the Bayocs’ dialogue reveals how art bridges intimate and collective worlds, honors where it begins, and imagines new horizons for the future.