Instagram story viewer> @vgracelily> Posts

Vicki L Hughes

@vgracelily

1.4K

followers

1526

following

Rewired Optometrist, Jewelry Designer, writer, artist and photographer. Life is filled with more creative souls, music and art! My kind of spirit!

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Oakland-based jewelry designer Dorian Webb brought her fabulous, distinctive jewelry to San Francisco for an exclusive trunk show at Sherri McMullen’s new flagship store on Maiden Lane.

Presented in celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week, the evening marked a meaningful moment in a new chapter for McMullen, whose impeccable eye and enduring influence on fashion continue to set her apart. Against the backdrop of her beautifully curated new space, Dorian Webb’s artistry and Sherri McMullen’s celebrated sense of style came together for an evening that felt both timely and deeply rooted in the Bay Area’s creative community.

#dorianwebb #mcmullenboutique #nexussfbayarea #vickilhughes taken in San Francisco Bay Area, California by @vgracelily

32

6

16 days ago

The Matrons Mixer @jessicasilvermangallery was a chance to view @lavathomas’ “lineage” and @sadiebarnette’s, “28” artworks again, up close and personal, and have an interesting dialogue and conversation about the works with new and old friends,art patrons and collectors. The Hall W. Rockefeller and Less Than Half invitation was an intimate evening of art, conversation and discovery focused on women artists in vibrant Chinatown. #lavathomas #sadiebarnette #lessthanhalf #jessicasilvermangallery #chinatownsf taken in Jessica Silverman by @vgracelily

44

3

25 days ago

Lava Thomas’ first solo exhibition at Jessica Silverman’s gallery brought back vivid memories of my early life in Texas with my elder ancestors.

Her creative portraiture of her relatives reminded me that photographs and drawings of our families, along with their names, stories, and vital statistics, are treasured pieces of art, legacy, and history. They document who we were, where we came from, and the lives of those who came before us. If we do not preserve these stories, drawings and photographs, our history can be rewritten, diminished, or erased.

Thank you, Lava, for sharing your art, your family, and your legacy. Your work offers a timeless and deeply personal view of Black life, rooted “deep in the heart of Texas.”

#lavathomas #jessicasilvermangallery #texasblackhistory #blacklineage #vickilhughes taken in San Francisco Bay Area, California by @vgracelily

27

4

a month ago

We celebrated Dr. Warren’s seventh decade of life in true Warren style. It was a multi-level affair filled with music, art, tarot readings, poetry writing, and an irresistible array of food stations: oysters on the half shell, meat skewers, corn soup, watermelon slices, sliders with grilled onions, French fries, cheesecake, and all the delicious indulgences you might expect at a country fair for grown-ups! The weather and view from his backyard of the Oakland skyline were outstanding.

Warren (his West Coast name), Jimmy (his East Coast name), his wife Lisa, and their sons were the perfect hosts, welcoming friends and family who have known, admired, and loved him throughout the many chapters of his 70 years.

The guest list was a beautiful reflection of Warren’s expansive journey: friends from college, business school, and medical school; colleagues from his days on the Raiders and Warriors sidelines; patients; medical associations; and friends, neighbors from every corner of his wonderfully layered life.

Warren has never been just one thing. He is a physician and healer, a photographer and artist, a creative spirit, a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and a lifelong collector of experiences and connections. His many dimensions were all on display, woven together in a celebration as vibrant and multifaceted as the man himself.

Wishing this fabulous Leo a very Happy Birthday Season! May this next decade bring even more creativity, joy, adventure, love, laughter, grace, discovery, and good eats. Here’s to 70 years of living fully, and to all the beautiful layers still waiting to unfold.🦁🎂🍾😎
#happybirthdaywarren #happybirthdayjimmy #leosrule #70isthenew70 taken in Oakland, California by @vgracelily

28

2

a month ago

Yayoi Kusama was a talented artist. Her long life of 97 years was filled with controversy, health challenges, and complexities. She was bold, colorful and intensely creative. Rest well.
#vickilhughes #yayoikusama #gazingballs #infinitymirrorrooms #rubellmuseum taken in Rubell Museum by @vgracelily

36

1

2 months ago

My birthday 🦁continued with a
wonderful trip to Martha's Vineyard with the Black Grad Boston and Friends group. Invited by my dear friend Karen Clopton of San Francisco, it was a great way to experience the Vineyard anew, this time through the Martha's Vineyard African American Heritage Trail tour.

Although I was fairly familiar with the island's history, seeing some of the historic homesteads and hearing the owners' stories told by the dedicated tour guides, brought it all to life in a fresh and awakening way.
There's something special about revisiting a familiar place and discovering new layers of its story.

Shopping and dining along Circuit Avenue and off Main St. in Edgartown, along with viewing the wonderful art at Knowhere Art and Cousen Rose, are always a pleasure. My friends' jewelry, Dorian Webb of Oakland as well as jewelry brought by Meryanne Loum-Martin of Marrakech were on display at Jubilee, a black owned boutique. It was especially good to reconnect with my former housemate, Dr.Shemo, Celina Pina Shemo from our Berkeley days.

And then came the rain! ☔️A downpour couldn't dampen our spirits. We line-danced, enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Eleventh Circuit in Oaks Bluff, and kept the energy going. Dinner was a delicious grilled lobster salad at the Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown.

The playlist on the ride had everybody head-bopping, and I'm happy to say that my musical contributions added a little old-school flavor to the mix!

This was another memorable chapter in this birthday journey. It was filled with history, art, friendship, laughter, good food, and music. I couldn't ask for a better August, summer birthday!

#vickilhughes #blackgradboston
#marthasvineyardafricanamericanheritagetrail #marthasvineyard #oaksbluff taken in Martha's Vineyard by @vgracelily

19

2

2 months ago

My birthday 🦁 continued with a wonderful trip to Martha’s Vineyard with the Black Grad Boston and Friends group. I was invited by my dear friend Karen Clopton of San Francisco. What a great way to experience the Vineyard anew, this time through the Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail tour.

Although I was fairly familiar with the island’s history, seeing some of the historic homesteads and hearing the owners’ stories told by the dedicated tour guides, brought it all to life in a fresh and awakening way. There’s something special about revisiting a familiar place and discovering new layers of its story.

Shopping and dining along Circuit Avenue and off Main St. in Edgartown, along with viewing the wonderful art at Knowhere Art and Cousen Rose, are always a pleasure. My friends’ jewelry, Dorian Webb of Oakland as well as jewelry brought by Meryanne Loum-Martin of Marrakech were on display at Jubilee, a black owned boutique. It was especially good to reconnect with my former housemate, Dr. Shemo, from our Berkeley days.

And then came the rain! 🌧️ A downpour couldn’t dampen our spirits. We line-danced, enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Eleventh Circuit in Oaks Bluff, and kept the energy going. Dinner was a delicious grilled lobster salad at the Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown.

The playlist on the ride had everybody head-bopping, and I’m happy to say that my musical contributions added a little old-school flavor to the mix!

This was another memorable chapter in this birthday journey. It was filled with history, art, friendship, laughter, good food, and music. I couldn’t ask for a better August, summer birthday!

#vickilhughes #blackgradboston #marthasvineyardafricanamericanheritagetrail #marthasvineyard #oaksbluff taken in Martha's Vineyard by @vgracelily

40

8

2 months ago

Some birthdays you plan, and others seem to find you.

Tonight, I returned from the Obama Presidential Center on my birthday: At night, in the rain, with no one around. And somehow, it felt magical. The building stood tall against the Chicago night, both monumental and ephemeral beneath the pounding raindrops. At times, it was difficult to tell where the natural veining of the marble ended and the trails of rain began. Between downpours, I stood beneath the cover of darkness, taking in its beauty, the quiet, and the Chicago skyline shimmering beyond it. My friend and artist Lava Thomas’ pink tambourines were standouts in the windows. There was something almost surreal about having such a magnificent place nearly to myself. My birthday visit to the Barack Obama Presidential Center began as a spur-of-the-moment decision. I had been wondering how I wanted to spend my birthday, and after watching the extraordinary Juneteenth opening, I knew I wanted to experience it for myself. I became a Founding member and was fortunate enough to secure tickets near my birthday. Then came the serendipity.

I met Judge Krystal Alves, in Marrakech at the Diaspora Salon. She happened to be driving to Chicago to visit relatives.

Dr. Tanya Parks, a dear friend who lives in Chicago and who served with me on the National Optometric Board for more than twenty years, happened to be available.

And Hunter Adams, whom I met in Faro, Portugal, at the Humanity Summit, lives in Chicago and is preparing for his book launch at the Obama Center.

Three meaningful chapters of my life, born in three different places and seasons, somehow converged in Chicago on my birthday. That felt like a gift in itself.

Fine dining recommendations were given by dear friends Carolyn Tyler🦁 and her guy Chicagoan Dr. Gary Love.

I ended the evening with one of my favorite birthday indulgences: flourless chocolate
mousse.

What a birthday. What a night. What a beautiful convergence of people, places, memories, and possibility.
#nationaloptometricassociation #humanitysummit #diasporasalon #obamapresidentialcenter taken in Barack Obama Presidential Center by @vgracelily

46

30

2 months ago

Capturing the light on this Hump Day while soaking in the beauty of Oakland and viewing the latest creations by Eritrean artist Noah Mulubrhan. The Legend and Tree of Life are his newest works, acquired by Lydia Haile of Kibri Art. We were fortunate to experience these remarkable pieces before they begin their journey to their new owners. Art connects people, places, and stories. Today was a beautiful reminder of that.
#noahmulubrhan #kibriart #lydiahaile #vickilhughes #oaklandartscene taken in Oakland, California by @vgracelily

30

0

2 months ago

Betye Saar was an inspiration of joy, grace, and creative brilliance to me and to so many artists. When I look at my collection of handmade Black dolls and Aunt Jemima figures that I’ve gathered over my lifetime, I’m struck by how she transformed these familiar objects into powerful works of art. Seeing her images, assemblages, and collages represented in museums and galleries around the world affirmed the beauty, history, and cultural significance of objects that have long been part of our lives. Her work challenged stereotypes, reclaimed narratives, and inspired generations of creatives to see the extraordinary in the everyday. Her artistic legacy will continue to inspire for years to come. Rest well Ms Betye.🙏🏾🕊️🧡 taken in Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) by @vgracelily

26

1

3 months ago

One of the absolute highlights of my European vacation was attending a Roaring Twenties-themed party at friends’ château in the French countryside. Nestled southwest of Paris in the southern Normandy region, it was the perfect setting for an unforgettable summer night.

Guests came from more than 30 countries, dressed to impress. The women sparkled in pearls, feathers, and sequined dresses, while the men looked the part in paperboy caps, knickers, and vintage-inspired attire. It truly felt like stepping back into the Jazz Age.

I can’t remember the last time I stayed at a party until the wee hours of the morning! The DJ kept the dance floor alive, people laughed, danced, and celebrated together, and a talented duo of entertainers from Brazil had everyone singing along to “Hit the Road Jack” in both English and Portuguese.

Even with nighttime temperatures soaring above 95 degrees, no one seemed to care. The music was too good, the champagne was flowing, and the energy was contagious. We danced, connected with new friends from around the world, and soaked up every magical moment even as we were drenched in sweat!

Now that is how you celebrate summertime in France. 🇫🇷🥂✨
#frenchstyleparty #thedreadstar #vickiwithaneye #rastamalard #roaringtwenties taken in Rémalard, Basse-Normandie, France by @vgracelily

60

11

3 months ago

Nonstop Tremendous Event!! Congratulations @demetribroxton! Thank you for the video @vgracelily! by @vgracelily

39

1

3 months ago