Contemporary Classroom

Sophia Dawson is a Brooklyn-based artist who discovered her gift after painting a portrait of her father while studying at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for Music, Art and Performing Arts. At that very young age of sixteen, she witnessed that her work moved and touched people from all walks of life. Fifteen years later, Sophia continues to develop her craft as a visual artist and muralist for justice work. In 2015 and 2016 she worked with Amnesty international to develop a mural that focused on individuals who are politically incarcerated on an international scale. The mural was a part of the organization’s annual Write for Rights event which encourages tens of thousands of members to write letters in support of these individuals throughout a day of advocacy. Although Sophia works independently as a fine artist, she often returns to her first love… teaching. Last year she had the privilege of leading workshops for adolescents ages 16 and 17 who are detained at Rikers Island. Each workshop provided the space for her to bring her creative process to the classroom while simultaneously allowing youth to voice their feelings towards social justice issues of their choice. Sophia Dawson is currently a resident in the Whitney Independent Studio program.