About the Artist

Kamilah House is more than just an artist; she's a mother, lawyer, former diplobrat and community servant, weaving together a rich tapestry of experiences and talents. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, a place she has returned to many times throughout her life, Kamilah's artistic journey mirrors the diversity of her background.

Her art is a vivid reflection of her multifaceted life, blending bold colors, intricate patterns, and dramatic brushstrokes to express social and political issues. While she embraces various mediums like oil, acrylic, and watercolor, her recent focus on mixed-media and collaging truly showcases her passion and creativity.

Informed by her career in law, her love for current events, and her educational background in international studies and politics, Kamilah's art is a powerful narrative that speaks to her experiences as a woman of color and a Bahamian/African American diplomat brat. Her innate artistic talent is complemented by a strong liberal arts education that nurtured her passion for the arts.

Beyond visual arts, Kamilah is a true "Jackie" of all trades, exploring headboard making, knitting, singing at weddings and funerals (a true story!), and poetry, some of which she modestly admits "wasn't half bad :)." Her creativity knows no bounds, captivating audiences with its depth and emotion.

Kamilah is also a dedicated community servant, using her art to inspire and educate. Through paint parties for youth and adults, she creates immersive experiences that integrate stories of self-love, history, and politics.

Her paint parties are more than creative workshops; they are journeys into the African Diaspora and the broader world. As a Bahamian American diplobrat attorney, Kamilah brings a unique perspective to her art, seeking to enrich the lives of others through commonality, knowledge, and color.

Her paint parties foster connections, understanding, and empathy. By sharing her experiences and insights, Kamilah invites participants to see the world through her eyes, exploring the rich tapestry of cultures and histories that shape our world.

Through her paint parties and artistic endeavors, Kamilah House is not just creating art; she is creating community, one brushstroke at a time.

Exhibitions/Awards

- 2023: Life Cycle of a Woman, Like Water to the Sun, Solo Exhibition, Hood College, Frederick, MD

- 2023: 1st place, Women’s History Juried Exhibition, Columbia Arts Center, Columbia MD

- 2022: 1st place, Visionary Women Juried Exhibition, Columbia Arts Center, Columbia MD

- 2022: Black History Art Juried Exhibition, Columbia Arts Center, Columbia MD

- 2022: 3rd place, Black History Art Juried Exhibition, Columbia Arts Center, Columbia MD

- 2020-2021: Regional Juried Exhibition, Hill Center Galleries, Washington, DC

- 2020: VOTE: A Centennial Celebration, Loveland Museum, Loveland, CO

- 2020: Co-Curator, Dear Mama (Online Exhibition), Columbia, MD Library

- 2019: Wills Creek Exhibition of Fine Art, Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD

- 2019: Group Exhibition, “Motivation by Inspiration”, Harmony Hall Art Center Gallery, Fort Washington, MD

- 2019: Group Exhibition, “Afro-Eccentricity”, Bloombars, Washington, D.C.

Collections

Kamilah's artwork is featured in numerous private collections across the United States and internationally, including Freeport and Nassau in the Bahamas, Winchester, VA, Charlotte, NC, Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, and various other locations.

Publications and Press

- Jim Magner, Artist Profile: Kamilah House Dances With Color, Hill Rag, October 27, 2020

- Dragonfly Magazine (2022)

- Three Moms, Three Different Neurodivergence, Not Your Mama’s Autism Podcast, March 14, 2022

Education

- Art League, Alexandria, VA: Coursework in Drawing, Painting in Oil and Acrylic, Color Theory, and Painting Techniques, under instructors Scott Covington, Tania Karpowicz, and Matt Pinney

- JD, Howard University School of Law

- BA, International Studies, Emory University