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 FederationEast 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