Aaron Layman studied English at Mary Washington College, but his creative expression in recent years has been through videography and photography.

Since 2015, Layman has volunteered for Local Colors, the organization behind Roanoke's annual multicultural celebration. This work depicts the “Procession of Nations” in which different cultures descend from Jefferson Avenue to Elmwood Park with the flags and native dress of their countries. “More than forty countries participate,” says Layman, “and that’s just a fraction of the diversity of cultures in our region.”