Kendra Lee (b. 1987) better known as Kay Lee, is a multidisciplinary freelance artist. As a true Washingtonian, who grew up in a changing and challenging environment, art has always been a “light at the end of the tunnel” outlet and it has given her a way to express herself in the most positive non-verbal way. The passion behind her work allows her to create appealing and yet emotional pieces. She creates with the intentions of leaving an impression on others with her artwork. She wants others to feel something after seeing her artwork, whether, it is joy, sadness, anger, calm, etc. She specializes in acrylic paints, pallet knife paintings and a broad variety of other artistic ventures like murals, logos, digital illustrations, stationery and clay products. Kay has always been told she has a story worth sharing, and her artwork is her way of doing just that with the world.
Background
She graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with honors; a BA in Administration of Justice and a A.A in Liberal Arts. She later attended Trinity Washington University, where she received her MBA in Business Administration. Over the years, she has excelled with the Federal Government, where she currently thrives in the Human Resources field. She is the wife of John Lee and the mother of five AMAZING children. Kay Lee, juggles many hats, trades, and titles in life... but Artist is one of her favorites.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Kuumba III - (2024) - Neiman Marcus in partnership with Black Art Today
Welcome to the Garden (2024) - Shop Made in DC vs. Black girls in art spaces - 02/02/2024 - 02/29/2024
The Genesis Project (2024) – Vol. 4 – Mar. – May. 8 Month collaborative wall exhibition – 10 artist selection.
Port Discovery Museum – (2023-2024) Exhibition Prgm.
Washington Mystics – (2023) – Art of Women Health
Port Discovery Museum – (2023-2024) Exhibition Prgm.
Washington Mystics – (2023) – Art of Women Health
Koi Window Installation – (2023-Present) – Arts’tination –National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD
Well Springs Manor – (2022-Present) Upper Marlboro, MD
Future Queens Exhibition (2023) Grail Gallery – DMV
League of Artist – Selected Emerging Artist, Rockville MD
Black and Blooming (2023) - Creative Saints - Hyattsville, MD
Noted in Covid (2023), Sebrof Forbes Center, Kensington, MD
She:DC 2023 (2023) - Washington, DC
K&B Bridal - (2023) - Takoma Artery -Takoma Park, MD
Resistance and Resilience in African Diaspora Art Exhibit (2023) - New Deal Café / Greenbelt Art Center
Forward in Reverse Art Show (2023) Bowie State University Student Center – Artbae - Bowie, MD
Black Excellence Exhibit (2022) Hue2 Gallery – DMV
League of Artists, Washington, DC
Black Girls Art Show - DC (2022) Grand Hyatt Hotel - Washington, DC
Bright Colors Virtual Exhibit (2020) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Watercolors (2020) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Ermias - A Nipsey Hussle Tribute (2020) Campspace - Hyattsville, MD
Seasons of Change (2019) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Ermias - A Nipsey Hussle Tribute (2019) Campspace - Hyattsville, MD
Rise (2019) - RawArtists Howard Theatre, Wash. DC
Well Springs Manor – (2022-Present) Upper Marlboro, MD
Future Queens Exhibition (2023) Grail Gallery – DMV
League of Artist – Selected Emerging Artist, Rockville MD
Black and Blooming (2023) - Creative Saints - Hyattsville, MD
Noted in Covid (2023), Sebrof Forbes Center, Kensington, MD
She:DC 2023 (2023) - Washington, DC
K&B Bridal - (2023) - Takoma Artery -Takoma Park, MD
Resistance and Resilience in African Diaspora Art Exhibit (2023) - New Deal Café / Greenbelt Art Center
Forward in Reverse Art Show (2023) Bowie State University Student Center – Artbae - Bowie, MD
Black Excellence Exhibit (2022) Hue2 Gallery – DMV
League of Artists, Washington, DC
Black Girls Art Show - DC (2022) Grand Hyatt Hotel - Washington, DC
Bright Colors Virtual Exhibit (2020) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Watercolors (2020) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Ermias - A Nipsey Hussle Tribute (2020) Campspace - Hyattsville, MD
Seasons of Change (2019) Bowie Town Hall, Md
Ermias - A Nipsey Hussle Tribute (2019) Campspace - Hyattsville, MD
Rise (2019) - RawArtists Howard Theatre, Wash. DC
PUBLIC ART
Community Mural (Currently Occuring) - Cheltenham Detention Center
Community Ground Mural (2023) – Lead Artist for 2 artist team for Providence Community Center, Fairfax VA
Soultarian Restaurant (2023) – Group Mural – Second Lead Artist/design compilation – Artbae, Temple Hills, MD
Main Street (2022)– Mural – for Washington International Horse Show, Prince Georges Arts & Humanities Council, Town of Upper Marlboro, MD
DC All Night (2022) - Mural - Washington, DC
Davies Community Mural (2022) Mural Assist - LW ART Lead Muralist – The Collective Artist and Artbae, Davies
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Camp Springs, MD
Surface Mural (2022) – Mural Assist – LW ART Lead Muralist – Ft. Dupont Terr., Washington DC
Soultarian Restaurant (2023) – Group Mural – Second Lead Artist/design compilation – Artbae, Temple Hills, MD
Main Street (2022)– Mural – for Washington International Horse Show, Prince Georges Arts & Humanities Council, Town of Upper Marlboro, MD
DC All Night (2022) - Mural - Washington, DC
Davies Community Mural (2022) Mural Assist - LW ART Lead Muralist – The Collective Artist and Artbae, Davies
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Camp Springs, MD
Surface Mural (2022) – Mural Assist – LW ART Lead Muralist – Ft. Dupont Terr., Washington DC
RESIDENCY
2023- DC HQ - Selected Residency Artist (Nov. 2023 - Jan. 2024)
2023 - Present - Otis Street Arts Projects
2023 - Present - Otis Street Arts Projects
BIBLIOGRAPHY/MEDIA
FairfaxCounty.gov - Providence Community Ctr Mural
CanvasRebel - Article - "Meet Kay Lee" (2023)
Greenbelt News Review (Print)- Artwork featured for the Resilience and Resistance Exhibition (2023)
CTV Interview - November 2022
CTV Interview - April 2021
Artist Spotlight - Strathmore - August 2021
CanvasRebel - Article - "Meet Kay Lee" (2023)
Greenbelt News Review (Print)- Artwork featured for the Resilience and Resistance Exhibition (2023)
CTV Interview - November 2022
CTV Interview - April 2021
Artist Spotlight - Strathmore - August 2021
2021 – Channel 4 News – Group Feature for Event in Waldorf
ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
2024 - Black Art Today - Selected Cohort
2023 – Present - Artbae – Member
2023 - Featured Artist (Feb.) – DMV League of Artists
2022 – Present – The Collective Artists - Member
2022 – Art Ambassador for Jerrysartarama
2022-2021 – Paint & Sip Instructor – SWAG Works DC
2022-2021 – Skillshare (teacher)
2023 - Featured Artist (Feb.) – DMV League of Artists
2022 – Present – The Collective Artists - Member
2022 – Art Ambassador for Jerrysartarama
2022-2021 – Paint & Sip Instructor – SWAG Works DC
2022-2021 – Skillshare (teacher)
HONORS
2023 - Grants for Artists Awardee Maryland State Arts Council, Prince Georges County
2022 – People’s Choice Award – Old Bowie Arts Festival Bowie Arts Council, Bowie, Maryland
2022 – People’s Choice Award – Old Bowie Arts Festival Bowie Arts Council, Bowie, Maryland
