Colletta "Coco" Paylor
"As a black woman navigating multifaceted landscapes of identity, culture, and expression, my art serves not only as a mirror, but as a celebration. Through vibrant strokes of acrylic and the textured depth of oil pastels, I aspire to capture the rich tapestry of my heritage, past and present."
Colletta is a native Washingtonian from Southeast DC with
experience in Technical Support, Fine Art,
and Illustration.
Her main focuses are to inspire Black Women
and invoke thought through content creation. She is an Alumna
of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, obtaining a degree in Mass Communications, with a concentration in Broadcast Media.
Born and raised in the Nation's Capital, Paylor's journey as an artist is intrinsically linked to her own experiences and observations. Characterized by a bold, expressive style that combines loud colors and intricate details, creating visually compelling narratives that resonate with viewers on multiple levels. Throughout her career, Paylor has showcased her work in various exhibitions , online platforms, and publications, gaining recognition for her ability to merge artistic expression with poignant social commentary. Her work is a celebration of identity; a call to acknowledge and address the complexities of Black Americans in today's society.
Illustrations
Publications
IndiEarth DC: Passport
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EXPO 2023
EXPO 2022
EXPO is a collaborative project created by native Washingtonian artists, Tina Carzon and Colletta "Coco" Paylor, to generate an artistic space for underrepresented BIPOC, femme, and non-binary/queer folks in the DMV area. EXPO's focus will be to exhibit artists in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia), showcasing mixed media such as the following, but not limited to: photography, painting, and linoleum printmaking. This event is based in the Washington, D.C. area, highlighting the importance of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community, bringing awareness to their work in the arts.
In 2022, EXPO first show raised $800+ in cover fees (donations). All Proceeds were sent to Safety Drive (IG: safetydrive), a Baltimore -based mutual aid fund supporting unhoused and low-income neighbors.
Sponsors
CV
Colletta “Coco” Paylor
Fine Artist
Technical Producer
Instagram: cocoannepuffs
Washington,DC
Education
Central State University
B.A Fine Arts
Ballou Senior High School
High School Diploma
Self taught in Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Adobe Suite
Gallery Shows
New Growth Exhibition
Curated by Sacha Reid
Washington, D.C.
February 2024
JihLikeJumpin Presents: Down 2 Earth
Collab Exhibit curated by JihLikeJumpin
Washington, D.C.
October 2023
EXPO: Self- Care vs. Self- Preservation
Collab Exhibit curated by Colletta Paylor and Tina Carzon
Washington, D.C.
September 2023
EXPO
Collab Exhibit curated by Colletta Paylor and Tina Carzon
Washington, D.C.
September 2022
‘Into the Garden’
Group Art Exhibit curated by Lune Art
Suitland, Maryland
August 2022
WHAT NOW? -A Virtual Exhibit
Virtual exhibit curated by Heath Gallery and Fable Studios
Virtual
February 2022
What’s Your Black?
Group Exhibit curated by Heath Gallery and Fable Studios
Harlem, New York
January 2022
Produced Shows
EEEEEATSCON NY
Technical Producer
Bronx, New York
October 2022
DASH 2022
Technical producer
Times Square, New York
October 2022
META GATHER 2022
Technical Producer
Washington, D.C.
May 2022
“1-800-GIRLAAAA”: Podcast
Podcast Studio Engineer
Washington, D.C.
July 2019- August 2020
Problematic Podcast
Co-Host/ Audio Editor
Washington, D.C.
September 2019
Publication
Canvas Rebel
November 2023
IndiEarth
April 2023