Jesup Gallery
August 1 through September 27, 2026
Reception: Thursday, August 6, 6-8 pm, in the Trefz Forum; click here for more information.
(Reception kicks off at 6 pm, followed by a conversation between Phifer, painter Jodi Brown Steifel, photographer Chloe Ellison, and Miggs Burroughs at 7 pm.)
When I think about childhood, I think about streetlights.
I think about that moment when the streetlights came on and you knew it was almost time to go home. I think about riding bikes, playing basketball, double dutch, hopscotch, and finding any reason to stay outside a little longer. Those spaces became our sanctuaries.
Streetlights & Sanctuaries is a collection of paintings inspired by Black childhood and the simple moments that shaped us. Before social media, before cell phones, before the world felt so heavy, there was imagination, community, and freedom. A sidewalk became a playground. A basketball court became a gathering place. A neighborhood became a world.
A lot of the images we see of Black life are centered around struggle. While those stories matter, they aren’t the only stories. I wanted to create work that celebrates joy, innocence, friendship, curiosity, and the beauty of ordinary moments. The moments that don’t always make the headlines but live in our memories forever.
For me, a sanctuary isn’t always a church or a building. Sometimes it’s a front yard. Sometimes it’s a park. Sometimes it’s the stretch of pavement under a streetlight where kids are laughing and nobody wants the day to end. My hope is that these paintings remind people of a simpler time, help them reconnect with their own memories, and show that there has always been beauty, hope, and light in our communities.
Sain't Phifer grew up in South Norwalk and didn’t pick up a paintbrush until he was 34 years old. What started as curiosity turned into a way for him to tell stories, preserve memories, and document experiences that often go untold. As a father, much of Phifer's work is rooted in legacy, representation, and the moments that shape us. His artwork centers on Black childhood, Black joy, and everyday Black life. Through painting, he explores memory, identity, community, and the beauty found in ordinary moments. He describes his work as raw, rugged, and authentic. He isn't interested in creating a perfect version of life — but creating an honest one. His paintings are inspired by personal experiences, culture, and the people and places that helped shape him. Through his work, he hopes to preserve stories, celebrate humanity, and create images that remind people of where they come from. At its core, his art is about making sure the beauty, joy, and everyday experiences of Black life are seen, valued, and remembered.
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For more about the Library's art exhibits, visit the Art at the Library page.
