CREATIVE . ADVOCATE . COLLECTOR . FOUNDER
Ramona E. Davis (Kansas City, Missouri) is an African American painter and photographer. Ramona has always been a creative at heart but chose early on to pursue the corporate career route. For over two decades, she worked for notable companies such as Xerox Corporation, Janssen Pharmaeutica, and TransAmerica Life Insurance Companies. Her arts-related experience includes Gallery Manager at The Central Park Gallery, and Manager, Marketing and Constituent Services at Mid-America Arts Alliance. She enjoys painting in the abstract and some figurative. Her paintings are inspired by the spirit of the African and African American aesthetics as it relates to identity and everyday cultural experiences. She aspires to celebrate, educate and perpetuate her heritage with the visual arts.
Davis’ photographic works focus on capturing authentic moments in natural light. She is also astute in graphic design, creating numerous publications, marketing materials, websites and other collaterals.
Davis and her husband, Eugene, are avid art collectors and supporters of the arts. She is also the Founder of KC Black Arts Network, a catalyst for bringing artists and art enthusiasts together.
EDUCATION
University of Kansas, BS Business Administration/Marketing
Lawrence, Kansas
Kansas City Art Institute, coursework in painting, color theory, graphic design and photography
Kansas City, Missouri
EXHIBITIONS
2024 Expressions of Strength, AAAC Group, The Box Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2024 Celebrating the Sisterhood, AAAC Group, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, Kansas City, MO
2023 Now What, Group, Leedy-Volkous Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2023 Seized Moments, Group, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park, KS
2023 Celebration of Black Artists, AAAC Group, Black & Veatch, Leawood, KS
2022/2023 Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, Segregation, Group, Johnson County Museum, Overland Park, KS
2021/2022 Testimony, Group, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
2021 Black & White, Group, Women's Caucus for Art, Washington, DC
2019 Her Art: Who Does She Think She Is?, InterUrban ArtHouse, Overland Park, KS
2018 Expressionistic Offerings: a collection of fabric and abstract works by Nedra Bonds, Ramona Davis and Sonie Joi Thompson-Ruffin
RESIDENCY
2018 Charlotte Street Foundation - African American Artists Collective
CURATORIAL WORK
2024 Celebrating the Sisterhood, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, Kansas City, MO
2023 Celebration of Black Artists, Group, Black & Veatch, Leawood, KS
2021 Artists of Color for KC Youth: A Virtual Art Auction to benefit DramaTime KC and The KC Boys Choir/KC Girls Choir
2021 Brunch & Learn with Photojournalist Cheriss May, Virtual
2021 Arts & Healing Dealing with COVID 19, Racial Unrest & Stress
2018 Black History AAAC Group Show, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park, KS
2018 Depictions: People, Places and Things, The Black Archives of Kansas City
2017 Portraits: Unconventional Admiration, ArtsKC, Kansas City, MO
2016 Reflecting The Times: Artworks by Harold Smith, Stefan Jones and Jason Piggie at The Box Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2015 Harold Smith Artist Talk
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Patrice's Culinary Collective - Board Member
KC Black Arts Network - Founder
KC Museum Foundation - Charter Board Member
One Percent for the Arts - Selection Committee
Art In the Loop - Selection Committee
Arts & Aging - Educational Collaboration
Women Who Lead In the Arts (UMKC) - Panelist
InterUrban ArtHouse - Consultant
The Black Archives of Mid America - Consultant
Former Board Member - Friends of Art Council at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
MEMBERSHIPS
African American Artists Collective
Women’s Caucus for Art
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated