Daphne Burgess Thoughts on Utilizing Art as an Engagement for Change

Daphne Burgess is an African American artist living and working in the Sacramento region. Her work has been shown in galleries and exhibitions including the Valley Artists Sculpture Exhibition, Sojourner Truth Art Museum, 1001 Del Paso Works, SMUD Gallery, Sacramento State University, Brickhouse Gallery, Crocker Art Museum, the African American Museum and Library in Oakland and the African American Historical and Cultural Museum in Fresno.

She worked at the Crocker Art Museum as Project Manager for Block by Block, as well as various non-profit organizations like the Roberts Family Development Center and Sojourner Truth Art Museum, increasing access to art in diverse communities. Daphne has been lead artist for several grant-funded programs through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission including Young Enterprising Artists, Neighborhood Arts Program, Arts in Education Outreach, Artscapes, and the Community Arts Program. 

Burgess's artwork is an exploration of ideas, including family, love, and self-image.  Her passed artwork exhibited a more traditional and representational style, but her current work shows a more whimsical style. The use of abstracted figures, bold colors, and a playful tone characterize her artwork while tackling personal, social and universal themes including love/hate, the African American family and culture, and music.

Investigation: Thoughts on utilizing art as an engagement for change? Public Participatory Art Projects Allow the Public to Collaborate. 

Questions in regards to sustainability" Can artists pop in and out of a community? What the process like examples of how relationships are developed in short periods of time or can they?