I am a graduate of the Art Institute of Seattle and Evergreen State college. As a community artist, I am inspired to use art and design as a catalyst to open dialog and reflection. My work has been exhibited in groups and solo shows throughout the State of Washington and abroad. In my style of painting, I use bold bright colors and expressive brush strokes to capture the spirit and unique character of what I’m observing.
My passion for drawing and painting started early and was cultivated by a family of artists, musicians and writer’s.
In 2021 I painted a 36 x 8-foot mural titled Interconnections for a #DesignTheHill Low Income Housing Development reclamation project. And that same year I completed an indoor mural titled, In Loving Memory for the Eastside Community Center.
The mural is a memorial, 42 x 17 feet and dedicated to all the young people from the Eastside of Tacoma who have lost their lives to gun violence. Recently I completed a Black Lives Matter mural, painted on the steps of Tollefson Plaza in Tacoma Washington. The mural commissioned by Tacoma Art Museum and the city of Tacoma celebrates black life and culture in Tacoma in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
In 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, I exhibited Hilltop Stories Visual and Audio Reflections.
This exhibit was published on the Tacoma Public Library website and included 11 paintings ranging in size from 24 x 24 inches to 4 x 4 feet. The exhibit celebrated my family ties to the (Hill)top neighborhood and the effects of creative culture on the economy.
Being influenced by a gamut of talented artists since childhood, I developed a love of art. Norman Rockwell mesmerized me, as I stared at the fine detail and laughed at the whimsical humor he evoked through his paintings. Later, artists like Claude Monet swept me away into the fantasy of soothing landscapes. The vibrancy of Jacob Lawrence’s work and the emotion of his pictorial tales created an interest in art history, which later would manifest in my first series of portraits.
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That first series was one of my most memorable. It involved painting a series of portraits of Washington State’s First African American Pioneers. These oil paintings began as a permanent museum exhibit at the African American Museum of Tacoma Washington. In researching the history of each pioneer, I discovered the rich culture of African Americans in Washington State and all over the world. This experience fueled my interest in portraiture and capturing the essence and character of a person on canvas. By learning as much as possible about the person I begin the exploration process. This helps me to discover the traits, the touch I need to bring a person’s image to life on canvas.
Art making is an exploration, and we all learn by exploring a constantly changing world. I use my imagination to record what I see. And I explore the core concept of drawing and painting, observing life and expressing the subtle changes in light and shadow reflected on forms. Mainly I’ve discovered that I must trust my instincts and hands to record what I observe and accept the process which changes, grows, and develops to new levels constantly.
I thank God for each day and hope to use my artistic skill to do truly transformational work.
Exhibitions and Community Integrated Public Art
- 2021 – 2022, “Lateral Force” Black Lives Matter Mural, Tacoma Arts Museum, City of Tacoma, Human Rights Commission, Tollefson Plaza, Tacoma WA
- 2021, Interconnections, #DesignTheHill Mural, Acrylic and exterior latex paint on Marine quality wood, Forterra and Fab-5, Hilltop Neighborhood, Tacoma WA
- 2021, Hilltop Stories, Visual and Audio Reflections, Virtual Handforth Gallery Exhibition at Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma WA
- 2021, In Loving Memory, Eastside Youth Memorial Mural, Eastside Community Center, Metro Parks Tacoma, Eastside Tacoma WA
- 2018, Tacoma Studio Tours, Wood Print Transfer Demonstration, Tacoma WA
- 2018, Fill In The Blanks, Hilltop Streetscape Chalkboard, Hilltop Street Fair Display, Spaceworks Tacoma, Tacoma WA
- 2018, Inhabited 2.0, Salishan Temporary Public Art Installation, Wood Transfer, Tacoma WA
- 2017, Display of framed art prints at Red Elm Cafe, Tacoma WA
- 2016 – 2017, Paint the Street, Lincoln District Revitalization project, Intersection Mural project development, and design, Tacoma WA
- 2010, City of Tacoma Mural Training Program, Firn Hill Mural at 84th and Park (Collaboration), Tacoma WA
- 2010 – 2014, 253 Collective, A display of artwork in a retail gallery space, Tacoma WA
- 2009, 2010, A Call To Conscious, PowerPoint Presentation African American Pioneers, Tacoma WA
- 2009, EXPOSED, The Unique History of African American Pioneers, Evergreen State College Olympia Campus, Olympia WA
- 2008, EXPOSED, The Unique History of African American Pioneers, Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, Tacoma WA
- 2008, Showcase Tacoma, Painting Demonstration & Community Public Art Project Tacoma WA
- 2008, Art on the Ave, Street Mural, “The Great Octopus”, Tacoma WA
- 2005, Solo Exhibit with Jazz, African American Museum, Tacoma WA
- 2000, 2001, Coalition of African American Artist Northwest, Group Exhibit, Seattle Airport Glass Showcase, Seattle WA
- 1999, Group Showing, Festival Sundiata, Seattle WA
- 1999, Ethnic Fest, A Celebration of Cultures, Exhibit Booth, Tacoma WA
- 1999, Solo Exhibit, Starbucks Coffee, Tacoma WA
- 1999, Gallery Showing, JasLeRob Gallery, Tacoma WA
- 1966-Present, City of Tacoma Collection, Mobile Mural (Collaboration), Tacoma Municipal Bldg., Tacoma WA
- 1998, 2000, Coalition of African American Artist Northwest Group Exhibit, Pratt Fine Art Center, Seattle WA
- 1994, Opus De Artes, First Annual African American Showcase, Tacoma WA
- 1994, Poetry & Art Exhibit, Commencement Art Gallery, Tacoma WA
- 1994, Washington’s African American Pioneers, African American Museum, Tacoma WA
- 1992, Student Show, The Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle WA
Published Work / Articles
- 2011, Feb.- March 2011, South Sound Magazine article, Tacoma WA
- 2004, Featured Article, Bates Student Schedule, Local Artist on Display, Tacoma WA
- 2001, TBN Public Report; Arts and Education with host George Pettingel, Federal Way WA
- 1998, A Special Celebration of Black History Month 50-50 with Dorothy Wilhelm, Tacoma WA
- 1996, Sound Life Feature Article, Tacoma News Tribune, The African American Museum by Cary Smith, Tacoma WA
- 1996, Tracing Shadows, Full Blown, Published Poem
- 1993, Poetry Book Cover, The Color To Be, Tacoma WA
Awards / Certificates
- 2011, Career and Technical Education Certification, Computer Technology
- 1995, Certificate of Appreciation, The African American Museum, Tacoma WA
- 1992, Certificate of Merit, The Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle WA
- 1992, Merit Scholarship, The Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle WA
Education
- 2021, Bachelor of Arts Degree, Media Arts and Community Archives – Evergreen State College, Tacoma, WA,
- 2011, Career and Technical Education Certificate, Bates Technical College, Tacoma, WA
- 2001, Certificate of Completion – Document Center Operator, Bates Technical College, Tacoma, WA
- 2000, Certificate of Completion – Web Page Fundamentals, Clover Park Technical College, Tacoma, WA
- 1993, Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design & Painting, Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle WA
- 1991, High School Diploma – Silas High School, Tacoma, WA
Volunteering & Related Experience
- 2020 – Present, Community Investment Council, Design The Hill MLK Housing and Retail Development, Forterra and Fab-5, Tacoma WA
- 2019-2020, Jane’s Fellowship Graduate, The Russell Family Foundation, Tacoma WA
- 2016, President, (PTE) Professional Technical Employees Association of Bates Technical College
- 2016, National Education Association Delegate and Presenter, Education International
Further and Higher Education and Research Conference in Accra, Ghana, Nov. 12 – 19 - 2015-2016, Graduate, National Education Association Emerging Leadership Academy
- 2013-2015, Tacoma Art Group, Graphic Design, Website Customization and Development, Tacoma WA
- 2008-2013, Tacoma South Puget Sound MESA, Volunteer at MESA Day, Career in Visual Communications Classroom Presentations, Tacoma WA
- 2002-Present, Graphic Designer, Bates Technical College, Tacoma WA
- 2002-Present, Pacific Christian Center Church, Graphic Design, Website Design and Development, Tacoma WA
- 2002-1998, Various positions in Graphic Design, Print Production and Multi Media, Tacoma WA
- 1997, Tacoma Arts Commission, Commissioner, Tacoma WA
- 1997, Arts Together Multicultural Association, Graphic Designer, Tacoma WA
For more information send an Email.
Client Reviews
Service: BLM Mural Project, partnership with the City of Tacoma’s Human Rights Commission, Tacoma Arts Commission, and the Tacoma Art Museum
I had the great pleasure of working with Dionne on the Black Lives Matter Mural Project in Downtown Tacoma. This was a large, long-term, complex project, and Dionne managed it with intention and grace. She made sure that the community was involved in the process every step of the way, and deftly balanced the need for compromise and conviction. This is no easy feat when dealing with complex physical space, subject matter, partnerships, community, etc. Dionne put her whole heart and soul into this mural and the community process behind it, and you can feel it in the artwork. We couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out, and we are proud to have her public artwork featured prominently in Tacoma!
Service: Graphic Design, Hand Coding, Website Design & Development
A Piece of Cake Events (View Website)
Dionne has been a great benefit to A Piece of Cake Events. I started working with Dionne years ago when I started my business. When I first started working with her, I did not know the look I wanted for my website and promotional use.
Dionne was able to open my eyes, to the various options to market my business through graphics and design. Because of the professional look she has created for my business, I always receive compliments about how beautiful my website and promotional materials look. This draws more people to want to do business with me.
Through her work it shows the passion for making her clients happy! She does an excellent job of making her clients look amazing!
Service: Graphic Design, Website Customization & Development
Website: Cultures Connecting
Dionne Bonner crafted an excellent update to our website, making it look fresh, professional, and easy to navigate. While bringing in her own creative eye, she gave us a lot of control over selecting options that work best for us. She listened carefully to our feedback, tirelessly making small and large changes to fit our needs. Ms. Bonner also met with us on the phone and in person to teach us how to make updates to the site ourselves. We are very pleased with the new site and highly recommend her.
Service: Graphic Design, Website Customization & Development
I felt blessed to have an opportunity to work with Dionne. Her knowledge, attention to detail and artistic vision was impressive during the overall process of envisioning and developing my webpage. She proved to be extremely patient, insightful, thorough, and extremely business oriented. I would highly recommend her, particularly for individuals, like myself, who are technologically challenged. She made me feel comfortable and confident in her ability to get the job done in a timely and professional fashion.
Thank you, Dionne for a job well done!