Cultivating a Community of Culture and Curiosity: The Cultuvue Mission

Cultuvue was born from a goal to connect by inspiring and supporting the community. It aims to create greater opportunities for understanding and appreciation for different cultures. “Cultuvue is a philanthropic endeavor, not a political statement. We are motivated by the ‘love’ for what we do; we are not motivated by social activism.” This mission forms the backbone of Cultuvue. But it all began with a simple Google search.

When James Carey searched the phrase “Black male,” the results were disheartening. An overwhelming number of images portrayed Black men in association with drugs, weapons, and crime. He expressed to me that upon seeing this, he showed LaToya the results and asked a question that lit the spark for Cultuvue. “What are we going do about this? What can we do?”

Further research led them to a striking statistic: African American artists made up just 1.2% of the works displayed in major U.S. galleries. “Our discoveries inspired us to address a significant gap” That realization started a 28 day independent effort to host a 2-day exhibit at 1 Daytona drawing in over 1,000 attendees.

Since then, Cultuvue has grown into a nonprofit. The Careys giving credit to their sponsors and community for their ability to stay true to their vision of “Keeping every door that an attendee walks through free. To eliminate barriers for the community to see Cultuvue.” This passion led to growth and evolution. When asked about Cultuvue’s expansion, LaToya reflected “Looking back over the years, you have to lay the foundation and learn as you walk. Where we learned most was by listening to the community to shape the collections and exhibit. Community suggestions led to features that became included in the future exhibits.”

In 2022, the exhibit officially became an annual event, growing to a 14-day run welcoming 35,000 attendees. Cultuvue’s third year brought the exhibit’s first major expansion—from one showing to two, with a second simultaneous exhibit at the Nicole Stott Gallery at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The Carey’s have steadily pursued the goal since 2021: to locally change the narrative with uplifting, authentic stories. They measure success by how deeply their work resonates with and enlightens their audience.

But there’s more to Cultuvue than just what hangs on the walls. The Careys have created a full experience, offering the community access to new opportunities. In one instance, they invited a speaker who helped attendees draft living wills—a session that saw overwhelming participation. Other features include free youth art classes (ages 6–12), “Sip and See” gallery nights with wine, and hybrid or in-person curated tours for youth groups, corporations, and organizations.

I had the pleasure of attending the exhibit before the DSC chapter came to a close. It felt thoughtfully curated—both intentional and impactful. The Careys’ mission and passion were unmistakable, and their excitement to grow and expand each year is tangible in both the art and the messages that accompany it.

When asked what they hoped to leave with their audience, the Carey’s each shared a quote. LaToya offered this from a past exhibit: “Instead of your name being etched on a tombstone, strive to leave such an impression on mankind that your name is etched in their hearts forever.” James chose a quote featured in this year’s exhibit pictured below.