NJERI KINUTHIA
Orlando, FL | njerikinuthia04@gmail.com | https://njerikinuthia.com/
EDUCATION
2024
MFA Emerging Media, Studio Art, and Design, University of Central Florida (UCF)
2019
B.Sc. Fashion Design and Marketing, Machakos University, Kenya
UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Ukombozi: Reclaiming Place and Self, HCC Art Gallery, Tampa, Florida
Threads of Freedom, Albin Polasek Museum in Winter Park, Florida
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Leso: WovenWomen, Snap Gallery, Orlando, Florida
EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWCASES
2024
UCF Faculty Show, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Embracing our Roots, Honey Badger Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Meeting the Moment, Aiken Centre for the Arts, South Carolina
Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida. Nominated as 1 of 10 Most Progressive Artists in Florida by the Orlando Museum of Art Chief Curator Coralie Claeysen
UCF Celebrates the Arts, Dr. Phillips Centre, Orlando, Florida
ArtFields, Lake City, South Carolina. 485/1500 submissions accepted, juried by professionals from across the country
Family Fun Day at the Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando
Black Artistry Showcase, KPMG Accounting Firm, KPMG Lakehouse, Lake Nona, Florida
Art in the Garden Festival, Winter Park, Florida
Headspace, UCF MFA Thesis Group Show at the UCF Art Gallery, Orlando, Florida
Black History Month Exhibition University of South Florida Centre Gallery, University of South Florida, Tampa
Space Station Orlando 10th Anniversary Show, Florida
2023
Platform Showcase, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida, 50/300 applications accepted
City Arts 3-Person Exhibition, City Arts Gallery, Downtown Orlando, Florida, sponsored by Disney
Eclat Law Exhibition, Eclat Gallery, Altamonte, Florida
UCF Celebrates the Arts, Dr. Phillips Centre, Orlando, Florida
Eclectic Knights, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida
2022
UCF Celebrates the Arts, Dr. Phillips Centre Orlando, Florida
2021
Sanaa Safi, Michael Joseph’s Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
2020
Portrayals II, Roweinay Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Portrayals I, Village Market Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2019
Aspects I, Village Market Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Safari ya Sanaa, Garborg Centre, Stavanger, Norway
Safari ya Sanaa, Alliance Française, Mombasa, Kenya
My Tribe is Art, Karen Village, Nairobi, Kenya
Dancing Savannah, Tsavo National Park, Voi, Kenya
2018
Voi Arts Festival, Voi Arts Centre, Voi, Kenya
2017
Merit in Final Studio Exhibition, Machakos University, Kenya
Participation in Annual County Show, Machakos, Kenya
Participation and Merit award in Machakos University's Annual Innovation Week, Kenya
Participation in Kenya Fashion Awards, Nairobi, Kenya
2016
Annual County Show, Machakos Show Ground, Kenya
Participation in Kenya Fashion Awards Nairobi, Kenya
HONORS, AWARDS AND GRANTS
2024
Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice Award, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida, $2,500
Joust New Venture Competition Finalist, University of Central Florida
Award for Excellence by a Graduate Student Researcher, University of Central Florida, $500
2023-2024 University Award for the Outstanding Graduate Creative Work, $1,500
2023-2024 UCF College of Arts and Humanities Award for Outstanding Graduate Creative Work
2023
Innovation in Arts Second-place Winner, University of Central Florida. Over 60 applications, $1,500
3MT (3-Minute Thesis) Finalist, University of Central Florida, Orlando
Outstanding Artist, Platform Show, Orlando Museum of Art, over 50 artworks exhibited
Disney City Arts Stipend, $265
United Arts Public Project Award, Orlando, Florida, selected among applicants across Central Florida to create a public installation celebrating the25th anniversary of the Orlando Arts Magazine. $5,000
Eclat Law Art Prize, Altamonte, Florida, $5,000
2021
Provost’s Fellowship Award, University of Central Florida, Nominated as an outstanding applicant. Tuition, stipend, and health insurance, Fall 2021- Spring 2023, $20,000
MEDIA, INTERVIEWS AND ARTICLES
2024
Florida Prize in Contemporary Art
Florida Prize in Contemporary Art Exhibit Highlights (pg 22)
https://issuu.com/orangeappealmagazine/docs/oa-0524_issuu
UCF Stories of Impact
https://www.ucf.edu/news/graduating-kenyan-artist-uses-work-to-advocate-for-change/
https://graduate.ucf.edu/profile/njeri-kinuthia
UCF News
NSM Today, Head Space: Graduate students expose their theses in UCF Art Gallery
Artistry Magazine, Five Creators Mark 25 Years of UA’s Iconic Magazine
https://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=810790&p=24&view=issueViewer
3 Minute Thesis
https://youtu.be/L1z9TMhCB7M?si=kTGao-LJpNtRpKZ3
2023
Artist Interview, City Arts Gallery, conducted by the Director, Kat Quast
NSM Today, MFA Student Wins Scholarship Through Cultural Work http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/life/mfa-student-wins-scholarship-through-cultural-artwork/article_3ce79ab0-f911-11ed-96d4-776e5930f538.html
Graduate Student Njeri Kinuthia Receives $5,000 from the 2023 Éclat Law Prize
https://news.cah.ucf.edu/news/2023-eclat-law-prize-njeri-kinuthia/
UCF ArtBytes, UCF MFA student Njeri Kinuthia’s work will be featured in Snap! Orlando’s mural exhibition
https://news.cah.ucf.edu/news/art-bytes-fall-2023/
2019
Good Morning Kenya, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya
Artprenuer Show, Interview on Y254 TV, Kenya
2018
Feature on Norwegian Newspaper Jaebladet, Safari ya Sanaa exhibition
Redefine Show, Interview on Signs TV
TEACHING/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024- CURRENT
Visiting Lecturer, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. ART 2201C, Design Fundamentals 2D, ART 2500C, Beginning Painting ART 3161C Mixed Media
2024
Instructor of Record, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. ART 2201C, Design Fundamentals 2D
Instructor of Record, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. ART 2500C, Beginning Painting
2023
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. ART 2500C, Beginning Painting
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. ART 2201C, Design Fundamentals 2D
2019
Participation in a live portrait painting workshop by South American fine artist D. Gomez
Organization and participation in Dancing Savannah, African Art and Dance Festival
ARTIST TALKS, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS AND JURYING
2024
Student Scholar Symposium, University of Central Florida Poster Competition
KPMG, in collaboration with the Orlando Museum of Art, Stars of Hope Workshops
2023
Artist Talk, Éclat Gallery
Jurying, Platform Show, Orlando Museum of Art
NOTABLE COLLECTIONS
Marini Naturals Haircare Company, Kenya
ManGo Development, Norway
NOTABLE COMMISSIONS
United Arts of Central Florida, Public Installation, Orlando
Mountain View School Mural, Kenya
Aubrey Newman’s Academy Mural, Kenya
MEMBERSHIPS
Women’s Caucus for Art, Florida Chapter, and National Chapter
Council of 101, Orlando Museum of Art
FATE (Foundations for Art: Education and Theory
VOLUNTEER WORK
Teaching art to children at Immanuel Afrika Children’s Home, Kenya, 2017 - 2020
Teaching art in a Muthama Charity School in Kenya, Kenya, 2019
Organizing Art Kid's programs during holidays under ManGo Organization, Kenya, 2017-2019