ABOUT LUSMERLIN
LUSMERLIN is a multidisciplinary artist working between Greater Baltimore and Philadelphia, and exhibiting internationally. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and specialized in cement manufacturing, bringing public speaking, leadership, and extensive project experience into her artistic practice. LUSMERLIN's heritage spans four continents: she traces her lineage generations to one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, to the Levantine of 200 AD, to Native Tainos in the ceramic era of 800 BC, and, most influential in her upbringing, strong African heritage in her town of Villa Mella. She is a 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Semifinalist, a 2024 Mural Arts Philadelphia Fellow, and has received multiple state-level grants. Her work has appeared at The Peale Museum, Attleboro Arts Museum, the Hillstead Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and over 20 juried exhibitions.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work celebrates women, nature, and the unseen forces that connect us. I draw from two areas: the quantum physics I studied as a chemical engineer, and the spiritual traditions and folklore of my Dominican Taíno, Lebanese, and African heritage. These aren't opposites: they're parallel ways of explaining transformation, energy, and what lies beyond the visible. Part of my work is historical preservation, as I come from a family that practiced African religion.
I work in large-scale pastel, acrylic, and paper, using color, gesture, and texture to capture movement. My process begins with a concept, then I identify symbols from my traditions (plants, animals, quantum particles) that carry a similar meaning. In the studio, I embody these ideas through intimate performance, creating photo references that become the foundation for each piece. The resulting images are abstract self-portraits: my body holding both my spirit and the story.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work celebrates women, nature, and the unseen forces that connect us. I draw from two areas: the quantum physics I studied as a chemical engineer, and the spiritual traditions and folklore of my Dominican Taíno, Lebanese, and African heritage. These aren't opposites: they're parallel ways of explaining transformation, energy, and what lies beyond the visible. Part of my work is historical preservation, as I come from a family that practiced African religion.
I work in large-scale pastel, acrylic, and paper, using color, gesture, and texture to capture movement. My process begins with a concept, then I identify symbols from my traditions (plants, animals, quantum particles) that carry a similar meaning. In the studio, I embody these ideas through intimate performance, creating photo references that become the foundation for each piece. The resulting images are abstract self-portraits: my body holding both my spirit and the story.
Solo Exhibitions:
2026 Big Bang Baby – Howard Community College - Columbia, MD
2025 Crosswalks - Open Studio Exhibition at School of Visual Arts - New York City
2024 I Seek Quiet Beauty – Co-Lab Baltimore – Baltimore, MD
2024 We Become the Color of Dreams – Nuestras Raices, Casa de la Cultura – Baltimore, MD
2024 The Uncatchable Ciguapa – Nuestras Raices, Casa de la Cultura – Baltimore, MD
2022 Together Alone - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2022 The Ink Dancer - TAG/The Artist's Gallery – Frederick, MD
2021 In Search of Wings - Cowork Frederick Foundation – Frederick, MD
2020 Solo at Frederick Co – Frederick, MD
Awards, Fellowships and Residencies:
2025 Sondheim Art Prize Semifinalist, juried by Jennie Goldstein (Curator of the Collection at the Whitney Museum), Jacqueline Cedar and Mike Cloud– Baltimore, MD
2025 Residency at School of Visual Arts – New York City, NY
2024 Fellowship for Black Artists – Mural Arts – Philadelphia, PA
2024 2nd Place by Juror at APL’s Annual Art Show, Columbia MD
2013 Honorable Mention for the Caribbean Short Story Prize Casa de Teatro (Dominican Republic)
2011 Recipient of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program of the US Department of State
2010 Honorable Mention, National Poetry Competition of Literary Ateliers (Dominican Republic)
Select Group Exhibitions:
2026 Every Woman Biennial (upcoming in March), – Pen&Brush – NYC, NY
2026 Fragments of what makes us alive – Atelier Ghotsbirds – Lisbon, Portugal
2026 Sacraments Juried exhibition – Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
2026 Tet[R]ad – Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD2025 40 under 40 – Juried by Jennie Goldstein (Curator of the Collection at the Whitney Museum) Long Beach Island Foundation (LBIF)
2025 Sondheim Semifinalist Show – The Peale Museum – Baltimore, MD, May 2025
2025 Rush Forward – Rush Arts Philantropic, Philadelphia, PA
2025 Life doesn’t frighten me…anymore – The Colored Girls Museum at City Hall Philadelphia, PA
2025 Philadelphia Mural Arts Fellow juried exhibition – Ubuntu Gallery Philadelphia, PA
2025 Reflections of resilience: Celebrating Black Voices in Art – juried show at City Hall Frederick, MD
2025 Clutch juried show – Automat – Philadelphia, PA
2025 H-E-R: Art in Five Voices – Bernice Kish Gallery Exhibition – Columbia, MD
2024 Chroma Trio Juried show – Howard County Center for the Arts – Ellicott City, MD
2024 Art Maryland Biennial – curated by Dr. Kevin Tervala (BMA chief curator) – Howard County Center for the Arts – Ellicott City, MD
2024 In the Company of Trees – Juried show at The Mansion at the Strathmore, MD
2024 Morning Noon Night – Juried Show at Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
2024 APL Annual Art Show– APL, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, MD
2024 Modern Day Monet – Juried Show at Hill-Stead Museum, Hartford, CT (Juried by William O’Riley)
2024 Blossoms of Hope – Invitational show at the Columbia Art Association, Columbia, MD
2024 Free Your Mind v2.0 Juried Group Show – El Barrios ArtSpace - NYC
2023 HoCo Open Group Show– Ellicott City, MD
2023 Free Your Mind Juried Group Show – Jamaica Center for the Arts - NYC
2023 Center Stage Juried Group show – Red Wall Gallery NYC (curated by Danny Simmons)
2022 Naturalization - Live performance at Juried Show - Whiteboxny, NYC
2022 Phantasmagoria Juried Group Show - Carroll Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2022 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2021 16th Annual Juried Exhibition - Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Words Words Words Juried Salon Show - The Plastic Club Philadelphia, PA
2021 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2021 TAG Blooms group show - TAG/The Artist's Gallery Frederick – Frederick, MD
2021 Up Market Revival group show - TAG/The Artist's Gallery – Frederick, MD
2021 Frederick County Art Association Member Show – Frederick, MD
2020 2da Bienal del 7 - Dominican International Biennial – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2020 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2020 Online Show National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2020 Spring, Summer and Splendor Juried Show - Crestwood Center (Frederick Women's Health Center) – Frederick, MD
Visual Art Publications and Press
2024 Lusmerlin Captures Attention with The Uncatchable Ciguapa feature interview - BmoreArt Magazine, 10/11/24
2024 3 Questions with philanthropist Lusmerlin in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month - Women
2021 Maryland: Visual Artists, book by First Lady of Maryland State Yumi Hogan, featuring two artists per county
Literary Publications
2021 Ellas Narran, compilation of short stories by female Dominican writers published in NYC
2020 The Actress, pastel, cover of the Delaplaine Arts Center Magazine
2019 Han, a short story on book Sombrero para gatos - Taller Narradores de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
2016 La noche de las variables malditas poem Zile-a Antoloji, in both Spanish and Creole (Haiti, Dominican Republic)
2014 Solo ejecuta, short story on book Sospecha Colectiva (Dominican Republic)
2012 La máscara de la muerte, short story on book El fondo del Iceberg (Dominican Republic)
2012 Esto no es una antología: palabras que sangran poetry compilation, Colectivo Literario El Arañazo
2011 El regreso del dedo zombie, short story on book Mujeres en pocas palabras (Guatemala)
Book Covers
2021 Ellas Narran
2019 Sombrero para gatos - Taller Narradores de Santo Domingo
2019 Cortos, corticos y no tan cortos
Current and Past Affiliations
2021 Board Member of the Frederick Arts Council (Frederick, MD)
2021-2022 Juried Member of The Artist’s Gallery (Frederick, MD)
2021 Art Director for Black Lives Mural
2018-2019 Board Member of the DMV Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Washington, DC)
2019-2020 Science Advisory Board for Carroll Community College (Westminster, MD)
Public/Organizational Commissions and Collections
2021 Frederick Community College – Painting Collection
2021 Olney Theater – Mural Collection
2020 Black Lives Mural Frederick - outdoor mural/installation
2020 Salon Champu - Frederick, MD
2026 Big Bang Baby – Howard Community College - Columbia, MD
2025 Crosswalks - Open Studio Exhibition at School of Visual Arts - New York City
2024 I Seek Quiet Beauty – Co-Lab Baltimore – Baltimore, MD
2024 We Become the Color of Dreams – Nuestras Raices, Casa de la Cultura – Baltimore, MD
2024 The Uncatchable Ciguapa – Nuestras Raices, Casa de la Cultura – Baltimore, MD
2022 Together Alone - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2022 The Ink Dancer - TAG/The Artist's Gallery – Frederick, MD
2021 In Search of Wings - Cowork Frederick Foundation – Frederick, MD
2020 Solo at Frederick Co – Frederick, MD
Awards, Fellowships and Residencies:
2025 Sondheim Art Prize Semifinalist, juried by Jennie Goldstein (Curator of the Collection at the Whitney Museum), Jacqueline Cedar and Mike Cloud– Baltimore, MD
2025 Residency at School of Visual Arts – New York City, NY
2024 Fellowship for Black Artists – Mural Arts – Philadelphia, PA
2024 2nd Place by Juror at APL’s Annual Art Show, Columbia MD
2013 Honorable Mention for the Caribbean Short Story Prize Casa de Teatro (Dominican Republic)
2011 Recipient of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program of the US Department of State
2010 Honorable Mention, National Poetry Competition of Literary Ateliers (Dominican Republic)
Select Group Exhibitions:
2026 Every Woman Biennial (upcoming in March), – Pen&Brush – NYC, NY
2026 Fragments of what makes us alive – Atelier Ghotsbirds – Lisbon, Portugal
2026 Sacraments Juried exhibition – Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
2026 Tet[R]ad – Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD2025 40 under 40 – Juried by Jennie Goldstein (Curator of the Collection at the Whitney Museum) Long Beach Island Foundation (LBIF)
2025 Sondheim Semifinalist Show – The Peale Museum – Baltimore, MD, May 2025
2025 Rush Forward – Rush Arts Philantropic, Philadelphia, PA
2025 Life doesn’t frighten me…anymore – The Colored Girls Museum at City Hall Philadelphia, PA
2025 Philadelphia Mural Arts Fellow juried exhibition – Ubuntu Gallery Philadelphia, PA
2025 Reflections of resilience: Celebrating Black Voices in Art – juried show at City Hall Frederick, MD
2025 Clutch juried show – Automat – Philadelphia, PA
2025 H-E-R: Art in Five Voices – Bernice Kish Gallery Exhibition – Columbia, MD
2024 Chroma Trio Juried show – Howard County Center for the Arts – Ellicott City, MD
2024 Art Maryland Biennial – curated by Dr. Kevin Tervala (BMA chief curator) – Howard County Center for the Arts – Ellicott City, MD
2024 In the Company of Trees – Juried show at The Mansion at the Strathmore, MD
2024 Morning Noon Night – Juried Show at Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
2024 APL Annual Art Show– APL, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, MD
2024 Modern Day Monet – Juried Show at Hill-Stead Museum, Hartford, CT (Juried by William O’Riley)
2024 Blossoms of Hope – Invitational show at the Columbia Art Association, Columbia, MD
2024 Free Your Mind v2.0 Juried Group Show – El Barrios ArtSpace - NYC
2023 HoCo Open Group Show– Ellicott City, MD
2023 Free Your Mind Juried Group Show – Jamaica Center for the Arts - NYC
2023 Center Stage Juried Group show – Red Wall Gallery NYC (curated by Danny Simmons)
2022 Naturalization - Live performance at Juried Show - Whiteboxny, NYC
2022 Phantasmagoria Juried Group Show - Carroll Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2022 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2021 16th Annual Juried Exhibition - Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Words Words Words Juried Salon Show - The Plastic Club Philadelphia, PA
2021 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2021 TAG Blooms group show - TAG/The Artist's Gallery Frederick – Frederick, MD
2021 Up Market Revival group show - TAG/The Artist's Gallery – Frederick, MD
2021 Frederick County Art Association Member Show – Frederick, MD
2020 2da Bienal del 7 - Dominican International Biennial – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2020 National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2020 Online Show National Juried Exhibit - Delaplaine Arts Center – Frederick, MD
2020 Spring, Summer and Splendor Juried Show - Crestwood Center (Frederick Women's Health Center) – Frederick, MD
Visual Art Publications and Press
2024 Lusmerlin Captures Attention with The Uncatchable Ciguapa feature interview - BmoreArt Magazine, 10/11/24
2024 3 Questions with philanthropist Lusmerlin in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month - Women
2021 Maryland: Visual Artists, book by First Lady of Maryland State Yumi Hogan, featuring two artists per county
Literary Publications
2021 Ellas Narran, compilation of short stories by female Dominican writers published in NYC
2020 The Actress, pastel, cover of the Delaplaine Arts Center Magazine
2019 Han, a short story on book Sombrero para gatos - Taller Narradores de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
2016 La noche de las variables malditas poem Zile-a Antoloji, in both Spanish and Creole (Haiti, Dominican Republic)
2014 Solo ejecuta, short story on book Sospecha Colectiva (Dominican Republic)
2012 La máscara de la muerte, short story on book El fondo del Iceberg (Dominican Republic)
2012 Esto no es una antología: palabras que sangran poetry compilation, Colectivo Literario El Arañazo
2011 El regreso del dedo zombie, short story on book Mujeres en pocas palabras (Guatemala)
Book Covers
2021 Ellas Narran
2019 Sombrero para gatos - Taller Narradores de Santo Domingo
2019 Cortos, corticos y no tan cortos
Current and Past Affiliations
2021 Board Member of the Frederick Arts Council (Frederick, MD)
2021-2022 Juried Member of The Artist’s Gallery (Frederick, MD)
2021 Art Director for Black Lives Mural
2018-2019 Board Member of the DMV Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Washington, DC)
2019-2020 Science Advisory Board for Carroll Community College (Westminster, MD)
Public/Organizational Commissions and Collections
2021 Frederick Community College – Painting Collection
2021 Olney Theater – Mural Collection
2020 Black Lives Mural Frederick - outdoor mural/installation
2020 Salon Champu - Frederick, MD
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