Esther Okehi

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In the process of studying, teaching and creating art, I have visited, studied in and lived in various parts of the world. I was born in the United States, but my travels include: Europe; the South Pacific; the Orient; South America; West Africa; and now Southern Africa. My marriage to a West African; the rearing of our son and now the addition of his family continues to be the center of my universe. But, my passion for art has been and will always be the thread that binds me and keeps me whole. Through the passage of time, I have learned that my life long desire to create art has as much to do with my need to feel balanced as it does to my need to share the gifts that God has given me. When I am making art, I feel complete, as if time does not exist; I feel absolute satisfaction. I still experience tension and tremendous thought goes into the process, but it is like working on a puzzle when I have all the pieces. So, I am driven to complete it. I feel blessed to have the opportunity and the courage to use my creative energy and to be able to share it!

Education
Parsons School Of Design/Bank Street College Of Education - M.S.(Edu/Visual Arts); Drew University - Summer Study - Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa; Wesleyan College - B.F.A; School of Visual Arts - Summer Study In Painting - Urbino, Italy; Huston - Tillotson University - B.A. Edu. 

Awards
Outstanding Women In The Arts, African American Women In The Arts, 1995
Wesleyan College Junior Year Exhibition, 2nd Place in Sculpture / 3rd Place in Drawing, 1988
Regional Art Exhibition Juried Competition, Purchase Award, 1988
Wesleyan College Sophomore Exhibition, 1st Place in Printmaking, 1983

Exhibits
Group Exhibition at Art On Riviera, South Africa, 2015
Group Exhibition at African Heritage Day, South Africa, 2014
Group Exhibition at Benmore Gardens Gallery , South Africa, 2011
Group Exhibition at Hydepark Gallery, South Africa, 2008
Solo Exhibition at The Regent, South Africa, 2014
Group Exhibition at Southwest Cornerhouse Gallery, United States of America, 2001
Solo Exhibition at Douglass Theatre, United States of America, 2003
Group Exhibition at Mumford's Frame And Art Gallery - Two Woman Show, United States of America, 1999
Group Exhibition at The Frame Gallery, Botswana, 2006
Group Exhibition at Gallery/Frame, New Zealand, 2008