shanina dionna

b. Oahu, HI

currently lives & works in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

education

2026 Drexel University, Art Therapy & Counseling, MA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2024 Temple University, Bachelor of General Studies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2021 Person-Centered Expressive Arts Institute, Expressive Arts Facilitator Certification, California

2012 Art Institute of Philadelphia, AS, Pennsylvania

solo exhibitions

2026

l a y e r s : A Mental Health + Wellness Experiential, (location TBD)

2021

Show Up (pt.2) : A Short Docu-Film + Triptych Reveal, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA

Embryo X : The Continuous Now, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA

2020

Embryo IX part 1, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

2019

Embryo VIII, P.A.C.K, Philadelphia, PA

2018

Embryo VII, Circle of Hope, Philadelphia, PA

2017

Embryo VI, Blanc Space, Philadelphia, PA

2016

Embryo V, Blanc Space, Philadelphia, PA

2015

Embryo IV, Impact Hub, Philadelphia, PA

2014

Embryo III, Soup Factory Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2013

Embryo II, Ivben Studios, Philadelphia, PA

2012

Embryo, Space 2033, Philadelphia, PA

group exhibitions

2024

The Intermission, The Colored Girls Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2022

I See U: Curated by Al-baseer Holly, The Roots Picnic, Philadelphia, PA

2021

Nifty Gateway : Juneteenth NFT Drop, NiftyGateway.com

Whistling in the Dark, SaveArtSpace, Philadelphia, NYC, LA

2020

Philadelphia’s Freedom, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia, PA

Streets Dept Walls - Mural Project, Fashion District, Philadelphia, PA

Platforms Project Independent Art Fair, Nikos Kessanlis, Athens Greece

2019

The Civic Art Collection: Dedication & Reception, The Civic, Philadelphia, PA

Affordable Art Fair - NYC, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY

Friday Remix, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Girls.Like.nicethings, Cira Green, Philadelphia, PA

Art on the Walls Project, Episcopal Church of the Trinity, Coatesville, PA

2018

Local & Famous, Delaware College of Art & Design, Wilmington, DE

Herspacearts, Indigo Bleu, Philadelphia, PA

2017

Gazes Beyond, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Radiation Oncology, Philadelphia, PA

Impossible Standards, Ruckus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Gallery Walk, Greene Manor, Philadelphia, PA

2015

#BlackGirlInspiration: presented by Uniquely You Summit, Impact Hub, Philadelphia, PA

Art Sisters: A.S. WE ARE, Ivben Studios 2, Philadelphia, PA

2014

Art Sisters: BRAVE & “The Root” Documentary, Goldilocks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Unleash the Beast: Art Series, Impact Hub, Philadelphia, PA

2013

Art Sisters, Urban Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

awards + residencies + partnerships

2024

Barnes Foundation, Summer Educator Institute (SEI) program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Moore College of Art & Design, Summer Artist / Educator Residency (SAER) program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tyler School of Art & Architecture, Crafting Empathy Through Making and Collaboration class, Professor Jessica Jane Julius, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2023

Leeway Foundation, Transformation Award, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Stage 2 candidate)

Penn Museum, Mind & Mood Recharge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mural Arts, Black Artists Fellowship, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia System of Care, Cultural and Linguistic Competence Symposium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Brandywine Museum of Art, Creative Escape Series, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

The Barnes Foundation, Young Professionals Night, Installation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fleisher Art Memorial, Pilot Expressive Arts Healing Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

YEAH Philly, Pilot Expressive Arts Healing Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2022

Virtual Partnership Week: Expressive Arts Healing, Values into Action, USA

Everyday Places, The Barnes Foundation, Lola38 West, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Sound of Philadelphia: 50th Anniversary, SONY, New York, New York

Wellness Advisory Council, Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton, New Jersey

Coatesville Black Media Renaissance, Coatesville, Pennsylvania

2021

LIFEWTR: Life Unseen Campaign - Philadelphia Edition

Artist of the Year, REC Philly: IDMA Awards, Nominated

Health Hero, BeWell Philly Health Hero Challenge, Semifinalist

Wawa Welcome America, Our America Now, “We The People” Stage Host - Philadelphia

Mozaik Philanthropy : 2021 Future Art Awards, Special Mention Winner 

2020

TILA Studios - Above Four Fund

Foundation for Contemporary Arts FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund

2019

Artist of the Year, Rad Awards, Nominated

2018

The Dean Collection 20 Grant

b.ross Micro Grant

Art Partners Studio, Resident Teaching Artist

2016

ARTbuds Philly, Founder and Resident Teaching Artist

Women of Style & Substance Awards presented by Joan Shepp

private + public collections

Mural Arts Philadelphia, United States

The Colored Girls Museum, United States

The Civic, United States

Reavis & Associates, PC, United States

lectures + keynotes + workshops

“The Unfolding” Podcast, Loveland Foundation, USA

“Women Leading the Way” Panel, REC Philly, Philadelphia, PA

Expressive Arts Healing Session, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia, PA

Museum Mindfulness, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Mural Arts Advocates, Women’s Re-Entry Program, Philadelphia, PA

Uniquely U Summit Academy, Art Healing Labs for Black Girls, USA

Expressive Arts Healing Workshop, Philadelphia System of Care, Philadelphia, PA

Artist Talk with Al-Baseer Holly, For(bes) the Culture, USA

A Conference on Social Determinants of Community Well-Being, University of Southern California, CA

Therapeutic Practices in Community Arts, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA

Art in the City: Urban Affairs, Temple University, PA

HOBY Leadership Seminar, Shippensburg University, PA

Kuwrah Cares - Keynote, 700 Banquet Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Uniquely You Summit - Presenter, The Wharton School: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series: “Art as Activism” Panel, Painted Bride, Philadelphia, PA

L.I.F.T Youth Empowerment Panel, Urban Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

organizations

American Art Therapy Association, Graduate Student membership

Grounds for Sculpture, Wellness Advisory Council Member

The Big Clean Up Philadelphia, Secretary; Volunteer

Coatesville Black Media Renaissance, Artist Member

ARTbuds Philly, Founder, Lead Teacher