CV
Mitra Kamali
artist/engineer/humanitarian
Mitra Kamali is a contemporary visual artist, designer, human rights activist/educator, and engineer who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Mitra began drawing at the age of three years old, decided to postpone her passion for art, and pursued a degree in engineering to become financially independent. A world traveler, she sketches and photographs the ideas and images that influence her art.
She incorporates non-profit disciplinary endeavors and works with community leaders and non-profit organizations advocating human rights.
Freedom, justice, equality, a sense of belonging, love, and joy sum up Mitra’s goal to convey her message through her artwork.
Learning symbolism in ancient cultures and observing, reflection, and digesting what learned is the start of many of her series.
Mitra quotes:“ I see a strong connection between art and science. Both require research, analysis, discipline, and passion, a fearless journey in search of discovery. However, the ARTs bring empathy, endearment, and compassion in understanding the souls of human beings.”
Experiencing a life-saving MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) procedure, she began to think of the same tissues and bones in the human body; along with the study of the Persian Poem “Humans are members of a whole” by Saadi (13th Century) the birth of her new series “Go Beyond Boundaries - Human Connection).
Blending vibrant colors to outline the human body is her way of expressing the inclusion of ALL races and colors.
Recipient of Bachelor'sdegree of Science in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University. Later she attended Scottsdale Community College and Phoenix College including art and cultural exchange work in France, India, Greece, and Japan.
Files coming soon.
Awards and Public Recognition
2022 Selected artist to attend Teaching Artist Program (TAP), an arts integration approach incorporating STEM. ASU Gammage, Connecting Communities.
2022 In Celebration Of Women_anniversary of 19th amendment exhibition at Capitol Museum, Phoenix, AZ
2022 Go Beyond Boundaries selected fashion designer_On Central Fashion Show_Phoenix, AZ
2022 Invitation to artist residency_created works about the water crisis and environmental issues_Palomar Hotel, Kimpton Hotel, Phoenix, AZ
2022 Artwork featured in New Times Phoenix, AZ
2021 Human Connection-Go Beyond the Barriers, Lecture, and Exhibition to students 14-18 years old South Mountain High school, Phoenix, AZ.
2020 Featured in Shoutout Arizona storytelling about the sky is the limit in creativity; printing art into the fabric and fashion design to make unique, bold, and intellectual style for women's couture.
2020 Selected as one of the 30 Arizona woman artists!" In Celebration of Women” exhibition honoring the centennial of women's right to vote at Herberger Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona.
2020 Featured in Shoutout Arizona storytelling about the sky is the limit in creativity; printing art into fabric and design fashion to make unique, bold, and intellectual fashion.
2020 Selected as one of the 30 Arizona woman artists “In Celebration of Women” exhibition honoring the centennial of women's right to vote at Herberger Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona.
2020 Selected artist at “On the Spot Light” exhibition at Herberger Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona
2020 Featured artist at Portland on the Park, downtown Phoenix
2019 Awarded for outstanding performance and dedication to excellence for making a difference in the community by Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane
2018/2019 Featured in La-based Voyage Phoenix Magazine.
2009 Certificate of Appreciation from ASU President and Dean of the College of Public Programs, Phoenix, Arizona
2004 American Heart Association fundraiser honorary artist, Houston, Texas
2003 Certificate of Appreciation from the mayor’s office for artistic contribution, Houston, Texas
1997 The Marguerite Ross Barnett Award by the Council of Ethics Organization, Houston, Texas
1994 International Winter fest Mural Award, commissioned by Scottsdale mayor, Scottsdale,AZ
1992 Juror’s Award Galleria, Mesa, AZ
1991 Arizona Finalist, Annual National Community College Art Competition, Phoenix, AZ
Exhibitions (solo/group)
2022 Dias De Las Muertes group exhibition_Arizona Lationo Arts & Culture (ALAC) Phoenix- AZ
2022 Frida Kahlo Exhibition_ Persian Fridas_ Arizona Latino Arts & Culture (ALAC) Phoenix-AZ
2022 We The Women exhibition_Xico Inc gallery Phoenix, AZ
2022 Sacred Creation, group exhibition Udinotti Figurative Museum, Paradise Valley, AZ
2022 Action, Advocacy and Art, Watts College, ASU, Phoenix, AZ
2022 Energy Vibes & Heart Beat _ARTLAB living space, Kimpton Hotel, Phoenix, AZ
2022 Reconnecting With Your Inner Child_group exhibition, Herberger Theatre, Phoenix, AZ 2022 Sacred Harmony, group exhibition, Olney Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2021 Human Connection-Go beyond the Barriers, South Mountain High School, Phoenix, AZ.
2020 Portland on the Park, Juried exhibitions, Phoenix, AZ.
2020 In Celebration of Women/ Candid/ On the Spotlight juried exhibitions Herberger Theatre, Phoenix, AZ. 2019 Water Crisis Diptych -Sky Harbor Airport Museum Term 4, Phoenix, AZ.
2018 AZPCC Persian Culture Center – Artist and Curator "eye of the beholder”, Scottsdale, AZ.
2018 Octopus Unmasked_Unexpected Gallery, Phoenix, AZ 2018 The Story Of My Life, ASU West Campus
Glendale, AZ.
2017 Unmask the Mask – Unexpected Art Gallery, Phoenix, AZ.
2017 Talk & Show presentation– Influential Persian Women Poets, AZ Humanities, Phoenix, AZ. 2017 Scottsdale Public Library- Family Stories and Altar Making Scottsdale, AZ.
2017 How Traditions Inspire Today Artists, Cultural Arts Coalition, ASU West, Phoenix, AZ.
2016 "The Alchemist”, solo exhibition- Olney Gallery at Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ.
2016 Art tells a Story, Cultural Arts Coalition, Fletcher Library, ASU West, Phoenix, AZ.
2015 Experimental Chinese Painting, Glendale Community College North, Glendale, AZ.
2014 International Day of Peace Exhibition, Cultural Arts Coalition, Peace Place, Phoenix, AZ.
2011 Action, Advocacy, Arts _ 411 Gallery_ASU downtown campus Phoenix, AZ. 2010 Expressions of the Soul, Olney Gallery at Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ.
2010 Group Exhibition, Chinese Calligraphy art, Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, AZ.
2009 SOCA Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ.
2009 Group Exhibition Practical Acts of Peacebuilding & Mind-Body Wellness, ASU, Phoenix, AZ.
2008 Glendale Adult Center Gallery solo exhibition, Glendale, AZ.
1991-1996:
Windows of the World, mural exhibition, Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Art and the Athlete, Millard Sheets Gallery, Los Angeles County Fair Association, Pamona, CA
“Human Interlude” Sun City Art Museum Sun City, AZ
Artist Exhibition _ASU Hispanic Research Center, Tempe, AZ
International Winterfest Mural, Civic Center Plaza, Scottsdale, Az
“Touch Down” exhibition, Sky Harbor Airport Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
“The World Women On-Line” cyberspace art expo by professor/artist Muriel Magenta, ASU, Tempe, AZ ASU Gammage Auditorium, Tempe, AZ
Affaire in the Garden, Beverly Hills, CA
Community Colleges Art Exhibition, Mesa Art Center, Mesa, AZ
Human Rhythm Link on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/yqBGvOcDSfY (PLAY ON HIGH VOLUME)
Livestream coming soon
Photo Gallery
South Mountain High School
South Mountain High School
Lecture and exhibition at South Mountain High school students. Celebrating 4 African American scientists and geniuses instrumental in landing on the moon.
Photo Gallery
2019 Guest Painter Unexpected Gallery Phoenix
"Empathy" Mural sponsored by Cultural Arts Coalition of Arizona- Celebrating Global Connections.
Photo Gallery
In Celebration of Women Poster 2020
Portland on the Park 2020
Herberger Theatre 2020
Fletcher Gallery ASU West Exhibition 2018
Olney Gallery Opening 2017
In Celebration of Women 2020
100th anniversary of 19th amendment
Creating portraits of three black women engineers who were instrumental in 1979 landing on the moon and projectile calculation for NASA.
In Celebration of Women
Check out this great video
Video
Check out this great video
