Bio
Stephanie Kiah is an internationally recognized visual artist known for her lifelike painted portraiture, jewelry making, mixed media, assemblage, and sculptural works. In 2009 Kiah graduated with honors from Norfolk State University (NSU) with a B.A. in Fine Arts.
Kiah’s first solo exhibit "On Earth & Above" opened at the Arts East New York Gallery in Brooklyn, New York in 2015. She exhibited internationally in Bridgetown, Barbados at the Caribbean Fine Art (CaFA) Fair in 2018 and 2019, and in London, England at the Elizabeth James Gallery in 2018. Kiah was the National Symphony Orchestra's (NSO) commissioned visual artist for the design of their 2021 In Your Neighborhood (IYN) event series logo, which was enjoyed so much it was renewed for the 2023 season as well. In addition, Kiah was invited in 2021 & 2023 to lead her signature art therapy informed Mandala Making workshop for the IYN event series, including once at the world-renowned Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Her work is a part of private collections throughout America, as well as within Nigeria. Notable collectors of Kiah’s works include actress Taraji P. Henson (Empire, Hidden Figures) and Dr. Monroe E. Harris, Jr., President of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Board of Trustees. She was commissioned by Charles Allen, son of Eugene Allen (the man whose life inspired the hit movie The Butler) to paint a portrait of his legendary father. In 2018 Kiah's works were acquired for the private collection of the District of Columbia-based non-profit Martha's Table. That same year she was awarded the Art Bank Program grant from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities for the acquisition of her works to their permanent collection.
CV
Stephanie Kiah
Born in 1987 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Lives and creates in Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION
2009 May – B.A. Fine Arts, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
INTERNSHIPS, WORKSHOPS, & OTHER EDUCATION
2009 Fall – Metal Jewelry I class, Visual Art Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA
2008 Fall – Photography Intern at the Attucks Theatre, Norfolk, VA
2008 Summer – Intern at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
2008 Spring – Completed field studies in Art History at the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
2007 Spring – Completed field studies in Art History at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2021 March - Art Instructor, Mandala Making Workshop for the National Symphony Orchestra's "In Your Neighborhood" event series, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, Washington, D.C.
2023 October - Art Instructor, Mandala Making Workshop for the National Symphony Orchestra's "In Your Neighborhood" event series, The Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 June - 2017 July – “Quintessence: Selected Portraits by Stephanie Kiah”, Browne Studio, Richmond, VA
2017 January - 2017 March – “In Tune”, James Wise Gallery, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
2015 February - 2015 April – "On Earth & Above", ARTs East New York Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 June - 2019 August – Make Me Wanna Holler, Offsite Gallery, Norfolk, VA
2019 May – Lotus Womb Superbloom, Catharsis on the Mall Festival, Washington, D.C.
2019 March – Embrace: Women’s History Month Exhibition, Shopkeepers Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2019 March – Diaspora Dialogue VI, 9th Annual Caribbean Fine Art Fair (CaFA), Grand Salle Gallery & Annex, Bridgetown, Barbados
2019 January - 2019 March – Motivation by Inspiration: A Black History Month Exploration, Fort Washington, MD
2018 October – Flavas of Africa & the Caribbean, Elizabeth James Gallery, London, England
2018 October - 2018 November – 6th Annual Ladies First Show, Walton Gallery, Petersburg, VA
2018 March – Diaspora Dialogue V, 8th Annual Caribbean Fine Art Fair (CaFA), Grand Salle Gallery & Annex, Bridgetown, Barbados
2018 February – In My Mind’s Eye, Pepco Edison Place Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2017 May - 2017 June – Discarded: Recycled Items as Art, Spotlight Gallery, Pine Camp Arts & Community Center, Richmond, VA
2017 March – Nevertheless, She Persisted: The Power of Women exhibit, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA
2017 February - 2017 March – Women/Color: Women of Color Working in Color exhibition, Mosely Gallery, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
2016 October – Spartan Stories: NSU Alumni Art Show, James Wise Gallery, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
2015 September – Power, Protest, and Resistance: The Art of the Revolution exhibition, Skylight Gallery/Restoration Plaza, Brooklyn, NY
2015 September – Happiness gallery exhibition, Jersey City Theater Center, Jersey City, NJ
2015 August – Illuminations joint art exhibition, Mott Gallery, Richmond, VA
2015 February - 2015 April – Black History Art Exhibition, Reed Smith, New York City, NY
2015 February - 2015 April – Black History Art Exhibition, Pfizer World Headquarters, New York City, NY
2015 January – Dream Visual Art Exhibition, NY State Senator Jesse Hamilton’s Inauguration, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, Brooklyn, NY
2014 March – Art DC #WeTweetArt art exhibition, Art DC Gallery, Hyattsville, MD
2013 January – The Dream Moving Forward Inaugural Gala, The Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C.
2012 October - 2013 March – New Power Generation 2012 Juried Art Exhibit, Hampton University Museum, Hampton, VA
2012 April – Black Arts Movement: Visual & Performing Art Exhibition, Tendani Art Place, Washington, D.C.
2012 March – Classic Art of Brookland Art Show, Classic Art of Brookland Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2010 September – The Up and Coming [Artists] art show, Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, Richmond, VA
2010 June – First Sundays art show, Trinity Family Life Center, Richmond, VA
2008 April – Reflecting Women’s Wellness 2008 Art Show, James Center, Richmond, VA
2008 February – curated/exhibited in 2008 NSU Student Art Show, Heritage Center Gallery, Virginia Beach, VA
RESIDENCIES, AWARDS, & GRANTS
2021 February - 2021 September – Commissioned visual artist for the National Symphony Orchestra's ‘In Your Neighborhood’ event series logo, Washington, D.C.
2019 February – Awarded the FY19 Art Bank Program grant for acquisition of two of her works into The Washingtonia Collection of the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Washington, D.C.
2015 February – Awarded an Honorary Citation from the Borough of Brooklyn for being a leader & legacy builder, Brooklyn, NY.
2009 September – Awarded a UNCF Special Programs grant "NSU Peer Education Program (NSUPEP)" for the design of an HIV/AIDS poster campaign, Norfolk, VA
NOTABLE COLLECTIONS
2019 February – The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, The Washingtonia Collection, Washington, D.C.
2018 May – Martha’s Table, Art That Inspires Collection, Washington, D.C.
2015 December - Dr. Monroe E. Harris, Jr., President of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art's Board of Trustees.
2013 April – Charles Allen, son of Eugene Allen (the man whose life inspired the film The Butler), Washington, D.C.
2013 March – Actress Taraji P. Henson’s private collection, Los Angeles, CA
2008 February – Singletary Art Gallery & African Art Museum, Portsmouth, VA
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2019 September – Artwork featured on the cover of the fall 2019 issue of Pathways Magazine, as well as a write up on me in the “On The Cover” section, in print.
2018 March – "Artists Put it on Show", Saturday Sun of the Nation News, Barbados.
2017 June – "Art Gallery: Artist Stephanie Kiah showing portrait work in 'Quintessence' at Browne Studio", By Jo Lord, Richmond Times Dispatch, Art Gallery section.
2015 September – Power Protest and Resistance at Skylight Gallery, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation:
https://youtu.be/kU2l7Fir5mE (Kiah’s clip at 5:20)
2015 February – Stephanie Kiah's Solo Art Exhibition "On Earth & Above", Graviti Filmz Inc.:
2015 February – "Local Artist's Work Gaining National Exposure, Interest," The Cincinnati Herald
2015 February – NSU Alumna to Have Her First Solo Art Exhibition in Brooklyn, Spartan Echo online:
https://spartanecho.org/2015/02/09/nsu-alumna-to-have-her-first-solo-art-exhibition-in-brooklyn/
2013 November – Stephanie Kiah interviews with Celebrity Interviewer Ms. Antriece, Heirs of Legends Media:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPY71twyqhk
2013 August – Sonic Eclectic presents: Stephanie Kiah, Sonic Eclectic online magazine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY2F3szXl2k
2012 July – NBUF Black Arts Movement Dedicated to Trayvon Martin, Public Access Channel of DC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHAuClwPsrY&feature=player_embedded (Kiah’s clip at 3:30)
2010 - present
2010 - present