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)

 

Featured Exhibitions

30th Annual Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center Dec. 2020-Jan. 2021, George Eastman Museum Award Winner

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

Behind the Glass Gallery, Co-Curator, Jan. 2023 - Present

 

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

In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Danielle Ponder 

In This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation: Ian Wilson, M.D.
 

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

February 2020

Cocktails with Creatives - Memorial Art Gallery

January 2021

Why Rochester’s Public Art is So Important – Talk for Rochester Advertising Federation
February 2021

Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery

March 2021

East High Photo Club talk

Discover Public Art – Henrietta Library

In This Moment / Black History Month Celebration - SUNY Geneseo

April 2021

Public Art Matters – Pittsford Community Library

Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery

May 2021

Public Art Matters – School of the Arts, Teacher Development Day 

June 2021

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery, Downtown Rochester
Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery

July 2021

WALL\THERAPY Public Art Walk

Public Art Walk, Summer LEAP at Allendale Columbia School

September 2021

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery
Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery
October 2021

Discover Public Art – Penfield Library

Public Art Walking Tour - Nazareth University

Street and Public Art – Hobart and William Smith Colleges 

East High Photo Club talk

December 2021

East High Photo Club talk

Public Art Walking Tour - Nazareth University
February 2022

The Douglass Women 540West Main panel

Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery
April 2022

Public Art Matters – Pittsford Community Library 

May 2022 

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery, Downtown Rochester

June 2022

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery, South Wedge

July 2022

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery, Downtown Rochester

August 2022

Public Art Walk with The Yards

Public Art Matters - Irondequoit Public Library

September 2022

Meme Me at MAG DeTOUR℠ - Memorial Art Gallery

Public Art Walk with Rochester Brainery, South Wedge

Street and Public Art – St. John Fisher University

October 2022

Public Art Walking Tour - Genesee Community Charter School

Public Art in Rochester - Rochester Central Library Development Day

Public Art Walking Tour - Nazareth University

November 2022

Public and Street Art - SUNY Geneseo

February 2023

Public Art Matters - Nativity School

Public Art Matters - Paddy Hill Elementary
April 2023

Photography Presentation / Photo Exploration - World of Inquiry School

May 2023

Photography Presentation / Photo Exploration - Genesee Community Charter School

July 2023

Small Libraries Summer Symposium


 

Additional Links: linktr.ee/Quajay