Josiah David Jones Reshapes the Art World Through Valence Projects and F*nk

The curator's pioneering initiatives are creating new opportunities for underrepresented artists in LA and globally.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Josiah David Jones is the founder and curator of Valence Projects and Black in Every Color, two groundbreaking initiatives that are reshaping how artists are seen and supported. Through these programs, Jones has created opportunities for underrepresented artists in Los Angeles and around the world, including at major venues like LACMA, The LINE Hotel, and Andaz West Hollywood. Jones' latest venture is F*nk, a new gallery space opening in LA that will feature local and international artists.

Why it matters

Jones' work with Valence Projects and Black in Every Color is helping to address longstanding inequities in the art world by providing platforms and resources for artists from marginalized communities. His efforts to redefine success for artists and build bridges between creators and audiences are reshaping the industry.

The details

Originally pursuing psychology, Jones shifted to marketing, which eventually intersected with the arts. Valence Projects was founded in 2020 as a "positive-impact agency for underrepresented, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ artists." Its first event transformed an unused storefront into a mural courtyard. Jones believes artists must define success for themselves, rather than chasing traditional metrics like magazine covers or social validation. His upcoming gallery, F*nk, will feature local and international artists and include a community work and lounge area. Black in Every Color is also preparing a cross-cultural initiative with a gallery in Nigeria to facilitate artist exchanges.

  • Valence Projects was founded in 2020.
  • F*nk gallery is opening on Saturday, February 21, 2026 and will run for two months.

The players

Josiah David Jones

The founder and curator of Valence Projects and Black in Every Color, two pioneering initiatives reshaping how artists are seen and supported.

Valence Projects

A "positive-impact agency for underrepresented, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ artists" founded by Josiah David Jones in 2020.

Black in Every Color

An initiative led by Josiah David Jones that aims to facilitate cross-cultural artist exchanges between Los Angeles and Nigeria.

F*nk

A new 60-foot gallery space opening in Los Angeles in February 2026, curated by Josiah David Jones, that will feature local and international artists.

Yenwa Gallery

A gallery in Nigeria that is partnering with Josiah David Jones' Black in Every Color initiative to facilitate artist exchanges.

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What they’re saying

“I never really knew I'd be on the art path. I was always a creative thinker, but my approach was more academic. My fascination with psychology and sociology got me interested in marketing.”

— Josiah David Jones, Founder and Curator, Valence Projects and Black in Every Color (lasentinel.net)

“There's no linear path. As an artist, you have to define what you mean by that. There's no linear path to success. People often think of magazine covers or social validation, but when I asked [on Instagram threads] how others define an art career, the responses were clear: 'for people to connect to my work, and to be able to paint wherever I want.' But those two things happen whether you're pursuing a career in art or not.”

— Josiah David Jones, Founder and Curator, Valence Projects and Black in Every Color (lasentinel.net)

“It's a reclaiming of the word—through an art lens.”

— Josiah David Jones, Founder and Curator, Valence Projects and Black in Every Color (lasentinel.net)

What’s next

Black in Every Color is preparing a cross-cultural initiative with Yenwa Gallery in Nigeria, where they will bring LA artists to exhibit in Nigeria and vice versa.

The takeaway

Josiah David Jones' pioneering initiatives, Valence Projects and Black in Every Color, are reshaping the art world by providing platforms and resources for underrepresented artists to define success on their own terms and build connections with diverse audiences globally.