Quajay Donnell is a Rochester, NY based photographer and writer. His recent photo essay work has focused on community and public art. His words and photographs have been published in local and national publications including Departures Magazine and The Washington Post. Donnell is lead photographer / social media for WALL\THERAPY (2020 - Present), and staff photographer / social media for Roc Paint Division (2022 - Present). He is also the co-curator of Behind the Glass Gallery, a Rochester gallery focusing on underrepresented artists.
Awards
George Eastman Museum Award Winner
30th Annual Members Exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Art Center
Visual Studies Workshop Award Winner
33rd Annual Members Exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Art Center
2022 Lillian Fairchild Award Winner
University of Rochester for contributions to artistic and cultural life in Rochester, NY
Featured Exhibitions
30th Annual Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center Dec. 2020-Jan. 2021
67th Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition, Memorial Art Gallery, Aug.–Oct. 2021
31st Annual Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Dec. 2021-Jan. 2022
How I See It (Solo exhibition), St. John Fisher University, Sept.-Dec. 2022
State of the City, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Oct.-Nov. 2022
All of Us, RIT City Art Space, Oct. 2022
32nd Annual Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Dec. 2022-Feb. 2023
As I Recall Her: Artists Expand the Legacy of the Douglass Women, Juror, Mar.-May 2023
Thaww, The Yards, Mar. 2023
Good Friday, Frank’s Chop Shop, Apr. 2023
1975 Presents Spread Your Light (Solo Exhibition), Joy Gallery, Sept. 2023
Thanks 2 the Streets, Frank’s Chop Shop, Nov. 2023
The Big Show of Small Works, Lumiere, Nov. 2023
33rd Annual Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center Dec. 2023-Feb. 2024
Featured Work
Democrat & Chronicle: A Drive-Thru Christmas
Democrat & Chronicle, Story Tellers: A Drive-Thru Christmas
(585) Magazine: Be bold. Be gritty.
(585) Magazine: Making a seat at the table
(585) Magazine: Believe in WALL\THERAPY
(585) Magazine: The proof is in the pudding
(585) Magazine: Stronger Together
Waterbury Observer: Public Art Matters
CITY: Public art saved my sanity in 2020
Waterbury Observer: Enough
Visit Rochester: Top Spots for Public Art in Rochester, NY
Washington Post: Composers Crossing
The Warp & Weft: Black Futures Matter
In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Samara Brouk (essayist)
In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Danielle Ponder (photographer)
In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Ian Wilson, M.D. (photographer)
In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Melanie Funchess (essayist)
Featured Interviews
Caleb Versus Self Podcast: Interview - Photography, Art, and Passion
Your Favorite Neighborhood Librarians: Interview - In This Moment
Thriving Forward: Podcast: Interview
I Heart ROC: I Heart ROC Interview
I Roc Mental Health: Mental Health Journey
Love+Lead: "I Heart Rochester, How 'Bout You"
Democrat & Chronicle: Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition at Memorial Art Gallery
Featured Events / Speaking
Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Advertising Federation, East High School Photo Club, Henrietta Public Library, SUNY Geneseo, Pittsford Community Library, School of the Arts, Rochester Brainery, Summer LEAP at Allendale Columbia School, Penfield Public Library, Nazareth University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 540West Main, The Yards, Irondequoit Public Library, St. John Fisher University, Genesee Community Charter School, Rochester Central Library, Nativity School, Paddy Hill Elementary, World of Inquiry School, OWWL Library System Small Libraries Summer Symposium, In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation
Additional Links: linktr.ee/Quajay