Through subjective intellectual interpretation and unconventional techniques, Anu Annam captures individual mental states, auras, and nuances of personalities in their portraiture, focusing on self-portraiture during times of introspection. They have become nationally and internationally renowned for their ability to capture the emotional essence of their subjects using her impressionistic to semi-abstract style.
Annam is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed exhibiting artist, art educator, arts administrator, and curator, working in the field for 25 years. They are faculty at numerous institutions and have won multiple teaching grants from the New York State Council on the Arts for their work with at-risk and special needs populations. Annam is the Founder and Executive Director of the arts-based organization, designed to fight stigma against mental illness, SEA of Visibility (SEA = Support Expression through the Arts), and the queer organization, BOPPI (Bisexual, Open, Pansexual, People of the Islands). These organizations provide robust arts programming, including events, exhibitions, and education for marginalized people. Her Huntington-based Education and Mentorship program, Anu Annam Arts Education has served many members of the Long Island arts community since 2005, inclusive of students with special needs and typically developing, pre-K, K-12, college, and lifelong learners. Her organization is currently contributing free and web-based programming to help the community connect and create during the pandemic. They are now developing the SEA of Visibility Integrated Arts Education program which will be offering full virtual courses for a variety of fun and creative disciplines starting this Winter/Spring.
Annam has curated exhibitions at the prestigious Queens Museum of Art, the Islip Art Museum, the Cinema Arts Centre, Farmingdale State College, was in-house curator for Campari <Art House> and is curating the kick-off exhibition for the 2021 Museum of Contemporary Arts of LI exhibition line-up. Their programs, exhibitions, and fundraisers have been featured in Newsday, Fios 1, Canvas Magazine, The Hindu, The Week Magazine, and many others.
Anu Annam earned their BA from Tufts University and Boston Museum School in English Literature and Fine Arts. Select solo exhibitions include Le Salon d’ Art, New York, NY; Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills, India, The New York Open Center, New York, NY, Baruch Performing Arts Center with Chitravina Ravikiran, New York, NY; and a mini-Solo Exhibit at the Islip Art Museum in NY. Annam is on the Advisory Committee of the Patchogue Arts Council/MOCA of LI where they recommend artist and venue matches for their programs amongst other advisory duties.
Annam greatly seeks to aid in the cultural integration of the disabled community, advocating for the inclusivity of physically challenged and neurodiverse people of any race/culture/religion, level of education, class, history of trauma/abuse, gender, and sexual orientation in their daily work. They believe that with kindness, strong social, community, and arts programs, and elimination of discrimination, individuals can be nurtured to thrive as Annam has, through multiple marginalized experiences to lead a meaningful life.
TAP Work:
“Since working with TAP, I am becoming more proficient in teaching, grant writing and administration. I am writing two organizational grants with TAP’s help–which is new to me because I have only written personal Artist and Teaching Artist grants. As an administrator, I have gained much confidence and have been given copious instruction on self care, verbally, and by demonstration. My team seems to be happy with how I treat them which is important to me. TAP reminds me that I am important too, and need rest if I am to be truly effective and happy. They remind me by example that personal happiness is important–just as I would want for my team and students. They drilled it into me, otherwise I wouldn’t listen! This I believe will help greatly with the longevity of my organization. I more prepared emotionally and have been warned financially as what this will entail. The quality of the classes I will be offering are much better because of TAP’s workshops and the standards they instill.”
Most Memorable TAP Moment:
“Ariel Mercado is a gem. I loved her “Touch Portraiture” and will spread her name and contact for this lesson. Her Salon poems were a force to be reckoned with. Really, you selected the sweetest people as a whole for this group and I was thrilled to see or hear their art. Thank you.”
Find out more about Anu here:
- Through TAP’s help, SEA of Visibility has improved it’s structure greatly and SEA of Visibility Integrative Arts Education has officially been born last Saturday, April 17th at an Open House we had at TOAST in Patchogue, NY for our Spring virtual classes and Fall in-person & virtual.
- Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/seaofvisibility
- Questions and brochure: PattySEAEducation@gmail.com, general: SEAofVisibility@gmail.com
