Shop Available Works by Billy Colbert

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Artist's Statement

I am on a merry-go-round that is spinning in and out of control. I am overwhelmed by a myriad of imagery that serves as the backdrop for popular culture's infomercial. As I spin, I hear sales pitches and slogans being spoken with the cadence of an auctioneer. I see things I am not supposed to see entangled with things I want to see again.

When I am off the merry-go-round, I am a composer, using my episodic memory to piece together the fragments from my journey. These fragments are the source for my creations. My creations are an isolation of popular culture's blur.

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Education

2000
University of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
MFA, Painting

1993
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
BS, Graphic Design

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Awards & Honors

2021
Washington Wizards (Monument Sports)
Selected Artist, commission for team facility

2000
Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition, African American Museum, Dallas, TX
Best of Show & Mixed Media Purchase Prize
Juried by the late artist and MacAuthur Fellow, John T. Scott

1999 - 2000
University of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
Presidential Fellowship

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Artist's Bibliography

2020
Howard, Ashorn, "Biggs Museum Shows a Slice of African American Life," Delaware State News, February 15, 2020

2018
Chapin, Adele, "Where to Find All Those D.C. Murals You’ve Seen On Instagram," Going Out Guide, Washington Post, September 5, 2018

2017
Jenkins, Mark, "In the Galleries: The eternal cycles of decay and rebirth," Style Review, Washington Post, November 16, 2017

Capps, Kriston, "At the WPA NoMuNoMu Confronts The Current Sociopolitical Climate," Washington City Paper, Galleries, May 12, 2017

2015
Capps, Kriston, "Collage Envy," Washington City Paper, Galleries, February 27, 2015

2014
O’Sullivan, Michael, "Art Takes on a Language of its Own," Washington Post, Weekend Section, May 23, 2014

2013
Capps, Kriston, “Personal Effects”
Washington City Paper, Arts, September 13, 2013

2012
Jenkins, Mark, "Select: WPA Exhibition and Art Gala," Washington Post, Friday February 24, 2012

2011
Capps, Kriston, "DC2NY: The Exhibit," Washington City Paper, Arts Desk, September 13, 2011

2010
Smith, Brendan L., "The Public Eye," D.C. Modern Luxury, Arts and Power Issue, December 2010

Clements, Michael M., "Creative List: Artist Abound," Washington Life Magazine, November 2010

2009
Ober, Cara, "Emerging Forces," Art News, February 2009

2007
Koeppel, Frederic, "An Uncivil Riot Grabs the Eye," Memphis Commercial Appeal, March 9, 2007

Arcieri, Kate, "Law & Order- Luxe Litigator turned Design Diva," DC Modern Luxury, Lori Grahm Reflects... March 2007

Talasek, J.D., "Their First Taste of the Strange Fruit," Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2007, volume XXIII, number 3, page 96

2006
Horsley, Lance, "Paint the Town," The Downtowner, January 11, 2006 vol.7 no.22, page 14-15

2005
Cudlin, Jeffry, "Menagerie," Washington City Paper, pg. 80 February 4-11, 2005

2004
Bowers, Jessica, Baltimore City Paper, Exhibiting Signs Arts Section, June 23-30, 2004

Jacobson, Louis, "D.C Portfolio 2004,"Washington City Paper, July 16-23, 2004 vol. 24 no. 28 page 80

Iager, Meredith A., "FSU Fine Art Dept. and Roper Gallery Present Alumni Artist Billy Colbert," The Bottom Line Lifestyle Section, February 2004, Vol.56 No.2

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Public Collections

African American Museum, Dallas, TX
Alley Museum-Bladgen Alley, NW, Washington, D.C.
D.C. Alley Museum, Washington, D.C.
Delaware State University, Dover, DE
District of Columbia Commission for the Arts and Humanities Clark Parsia, Washington, D.C.
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
John A. Wilson Building, Washington, D.C.
Jackpot, Washington, D.C.
KSI Services, Washington, D.C.
Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX
Monument Sports, Washington, D.C.
Penn Social, Washington, D.C.
Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
St. Maryʼs College, St. Maryʼs City, MD
The John Wilson Building, Washington, D.C.
Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. Art Bank
World Bank Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, NC
University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD

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Selected Private Collections

Julia Ames and Jason Treat, Washington, D.C.
Kia Alford, Bowie, MD
Andrew Au, Cincinati, OH
Phillip Barlow, Washington, D.C.
Janice Blanchard, Washington, D.C.
Mitch Berk, Washington, D.C.
Bruce and Lisa Brown, Washington, D.C.
Earl Brown, Esq., Washington, D.C.
Tom Bryan, Washington, D.C.
Kendall Clark, Washington, D.C.
Kevin Cole, College Park, GA
Kate Damon, Washington, D.C.
Derek and Donna Cooper, Washington, D.C.
Patsy Cox, Los Angeles, CA
Jeff and Belana Chapp, Newark, DE
Christopher Darden, Esq., Los Angeles, CA
Aisha Davis, Miami, FL
Tom Daley, Esq.Washington, D.C.
Dr. Robert Doriot and Mary Doriot, Washington, D.C.
Dr. William Ebbs, Woodbine, MD
Christine Enemark, Bethesda, MD
Jade Floyd, Washington, D.C.
Melvin P. Foote, Washington, D.C.
Kelly Gorsuch, Washington, D.C.
Lori Grahm, Washington, D.C.
Charlie Graff, Washington, D.C.
Richard Graff, Esq., Washington, D.C.
John Gray, III, Washington, D.C.
Eric Gronning, Washington, D.C.
Michael Hines, Washington, D.C.
Lance Horsley, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Michael Joyner, Washington, D.C.
Sarah Kahn, Esq., Washington, D.C.
Cynthia Kain , Washington, D.C.
Doris Keuhn, Washington, D.C.
Fred Kendrick, Washington, D.C.
Steve and Martina Leonard, Gaitherburg, MD
George Martin, Silver Spring, MD
Tom Matzzie, Washington, D.C.
Lisa Long and Robert Mc Millen, Memphis TN
Pat Mathis, Washington, D.C.
Walter Muldrow, Washington, D.C.
Susan Najda, Washington, D.C.
Junea Padillia, Woodbridge, VA
Christina Parker, Denver, CO
Miriam Park, Detroit, MI
Heather Raquel Phillips, Philadelphia, PA
Umberto Pisoni, Washington, D.C.
Jennifer and Dominic Redd, Silver Spring, MD
Cedric Smith, Savannah, GA
Phil and Diane Spellberg, Bethesda, MD
Dafna Stienberg, Washington, D.C.
Julian Threats, Washington, D.C.
Stan Voudrie, Washington, D.C.
Mr and Mrs. Darrell Walker, Little Rock, AR
Sylvia White, Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey Wright, Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Rodney Williams, Cumberland, MD
Elif and Ebrahim Yildirim, Bad Urach, Germany
Carin Zelenco, Washington, D.C.

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Professional Experience

2011 - Present
Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Assistant Professor of New Media Arts

2009 - 2018
Transformer, Washington, D.C.
Board Member

2010 - 2017
International Arts and Artist, Washington, D.C.
Board Member

2009 - 2011
Montgomery College Silver Spring/Tacoma Campus, Takoma Park, MD
Adjunct Faculty

2010
City of Washington, D.C. Summer Youth Employment Program
Co-Lead Artist, Summer 2010

2003 - 2009
American University, Washington, D.C.
Adjunct Faculty

2008 - 2009
Luke C. Moore Academy, Washington, D.C.

2003 - 2004
Corcoran College of Art & Design, Washington, D.C.
Adjunct Faculty

2002 - 2004
Jefferson-Houston School for the Arts and Academics, Alexandria, VA
Art Focus Coordinator

2000 - 20002
Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Assistant Professor

1998 - 1999
Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA,
Adjunct Faculty

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Lectures & Panels

2020
Busboys & Poets, Washington, D.C.

2018
Par Project, Cincinnati, OH

2017
Vivid Solutions, Washington, D.C.

2012
Duke Ellington School for the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Visiting Artist, Lecturer

2011
Luce Center for American Art, Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.
Lecturer

The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.
Panelist, "10 Years of Art in Washington, D.C.", hosted by The Millennium Art Salon

Vox Valise, Montserrat House, Washington, D.C.
Artist Talk with Philippa Hughes

2009
Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Visiting Artist

2008
University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
Visiting Artist, Lecturer

K Space Contemporary, Corpus Christi, TX
Visiting Artist, Lecturer

2006
Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA
Visiting Artist

2004
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
Panelist

2002
Mount Saint Mary's College, Emmittsburg, MD
Visiting Artist

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Commissions

2021
Monument Sports, Washington, D.C.

2017
D.C. Alley Museum, Washington, D.C.

Franklin Hall, Washington, D.C.

2016
Big Chief, Washington, D.C.

2015
Shinola, Detroit, Washington, D.C. location

2014
Jackpot, Washington, D.C.

2013
Penn Social, Washington, D.C.

2012
Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.

Millenium Art Salon, Washington, D.C.

2010
D.C. Commission for the Arts and Humanities, Washington, D.C.

2009
District of Columbia Housing Department, Washington, D.C.

2007
Virginia Four Points Development, Washington, D.C.

2006
D.C. Commission for the Arts and Humanities, Washington, D.C.

KSI Services, Washington, D.C.

2003
Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Selected Exhibitions

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Solo

2020
Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, DE

Par Projects, Cincinnati, Ohio

2020
Busboys & Poets, Washington, D.C.
Virtual Pandemic film screening

2017
Vivid Gallery, Washington, D.C.

2016
Hyphen, Washington, D.C.

2015
Delaware State University, Dover, DE

2014
The Box, Washington, D.C.

2012
Morton Fine Art, Washington, D.C.

2011
Montserrat House, Washington, D.C.

2010
Honfleur Gallery, Washington, D.C.

2009
Longview Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Delaware State University, Dover, DE

2008
K Space Contemporary, Corpus Christie, TX

Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, Georgia

2007
Red Door Gallery, Richmond, Virginia

2006
Space B Gallery, New York, NY

Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA

2005
Mason-Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA

Pyramid-Atlantic, Silver Spring, MD

Vegetate, Washington, D.C.

2004
Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE

Cubicle 10, Baltimore, MD

Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD

2002
The African American Museum, Dallas, TX

Mount Saint Maryʼs College, Emmittsburg, MD

Penn Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2001
Touchstone Gallery, Washington, D.C.

2000
University of Delaware, MFA Thesis, Newark, DE

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Group

2020
Group Text, Napoleon, Philadelphia, PA

Indelible, Gallery O-on H Street. Washington, D.C.

2018
Hyphenated, Salisbury University Gallery/Downtown Salisbury, MD

Futures For The Rest of Us, Futures Visions - a multimedia exhibition of futurism by contemporary artists, Los Angeles, CA
Curator: Celia Peters FRIEZ ART FAIR

Futures For The Rest of Us, Futures Visions - a multimedia exhibition of futurism by contemporary artists, Columbus, OH
Curator: Celia Peters

2017
Now More Than Ever, Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Curator: Joesph Orzal

Spiral Recoil, Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE
Curator: Kayliegh Bryant

2015
Ceci nest pas une T.V., George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

SELECT 2015: Washington Project for the Arts Auction, Artisphere, Arlington, VA

Mood Board, Furthermore, Washington, D.C.
Curator: James Huckenpahler

2014
Arts and Letters - Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
Curator: Twig Murray

Transformer Auction, Washington, D.C.

2013
In Unison - A Collection of 20 Washington Artists, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Traveling exhibition

2012
CTRL+P, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
Curators: Kristina Billonic and Julie Chae

Symphonic Stylings, Cincinnati Orchestra and Par Projects, Cincinnati, OH

SELECT, Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, D.C.

In Unison - A Collection of 20 Washington Artists, Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba, New York, NY
Traveling exhibition

In Unison - A Collection of 20 Washington Artists, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
Traveling exhibition

In Unison - A Collection of 20 Washington Artists, Capitol One Bank Global Headquarters, McLean, VA
Traveling exhibition

2011
DC2NY, Dorian Gray Gallery, New York, NY

Ten Years After 911, Edison Place Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Kinetics, Par Projects Art Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2009
20 X 20, Washington, D.C.
Curator: Sondra Arkin

2008
University of Dayton, Rike Center Art Gallery, Dayton, Ohio
North of U Street- Billy Colbert and Michael Platt

2007
Reasons to Riot, Memphis College of Art + Design, Memphis, TN

Jolly Cowboy, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.

Concrete Domain, Bronx River Arts Center, Bronx, New York, NY

2006
Residue from the Bling-Bling Circus Cubicle Ten, Washington, D.C.

DC Studio - American University Faculty Show, Katzen Arts Center, American University, Washington, D.C.

Without Formula, Cubicle Ten, Washington, D.C.

2005
Take Me to the River, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, South Africa

The Emerging Eye, Quinland Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA

Pyramid-Atlantic, Silver Spring, Maryland Collectorʼs Auction, MD

Fusebox, Transformer Auction, Washington, D.C.

The Arts Club of Washington, Washington, D.C.

The Southern Graphics Council Presents Studio Space DC, Studio Space DC, Washington, D.C.

2004
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC New Acquisitions
from Washington, D.C. Artist

DC Print Portfolio, David Adamson Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Museum Of Contemporary Art, Washington, D.C.

Member Show: MOCA Darlings

Transformer Alumni Show, Transformer Gallery, Washington, D.C.

2003
Transformer Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Thelma Harris Gallery, Oakland, CA

Washington, D.C. Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

2002
DCCAH Art Applicant Exhibition, Museum Of Contemporary Art, Washington, D.C.

300 Years of African American Art, African American Museum, Dallas, TX

2001
Invitational Alumni Print Exhibition, University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Gallery 505, Washington, D.C.

Rock Creek Galley, Washington, D.C.

Touchstone Gallery, Washington, D.C.

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Curated

2011
Cedric Smith, You’re Welcome,
Montserrat House Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Bradley Chriss, Parade, Montserrat House Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Tyrique Tucker, Mega Waves, Cre8 Space/LeMont Bishop Gallery, Washington, D.C.

2010
Bauble, Wool Exploratorium, The Lacey, Washington, D.C.

2009
Ellington Robinson, InterVisions, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.

2005
Residue from the Bling Bling Circus, Washington, D.C.