Colletta "Coco" Paylor
As a traditional artist with practice in illustration, my art reflects the intersections of identity, culture, and expression. Celebrating the richness of American culture, my work honors both historical and contemporary narratives within the Black experience. Through the color and texture of oil pastels and acrylic, I explore resilience, beauty, and collective memory; each piece inviting connection, and reflection.
Colletta is a native Washingtonian from Southeast DC with experience as a Technical Producer, Fine Artist, and Illustrator. 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 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
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Publications
IndiEarth DC: Passport
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Nunar Magazine
EXPO 2025
EXPO 2024
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
Born, raised and based in Washington D.C.
Education
Central State University
B.A Fine Arts
Frank W. Ballou Senior High School
High School Diploma
Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Adobe Suite
Gallery Shows
Collab Exhibit Produced by Colletta Paylor and Tina Carzon
Guest Curators: Siona Peterous, Vanessa Villarreal, & Yetunde Sapp
HOMME Gallery
Washington, D.C.
September 2025
Invisible Skate Theory
Artist
Mason Exhibitions
Arlington, Virginia
June 2025
Labor of Love
Group Exhibition by Casa Luz
Houston, Texas
February 2025
NANO
Curated by Pillar Gallery +Projects
Concord, New Hampshire
November 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
EXPO Presents Chronically Online: IRL vs.URL
Collab Exhibit Produced by Colletta Paylor and Tina Carzon
Guest Curators: Ashley Jaye Williams, Rashieda Witter, and Trap Bob
Washington, D.C.
September 2024
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
Nunar Magaizine
September 2024
Canvas Rebel
November 2023
IndiEarth
April 2023
Awards
DC Commissions of Arts and Humanities
Fellowship Grant (FY25)
DC Commissions of Arts and Humanities
Fellowship Grant (FY26)
Fellowships
Rising Organizers
February 2025 - June 2025
Internships
DC Commissions of Arts and Humanities
Public Arts Summer Intern
June 2025 - July 2025
