Photos: Laimondo Lee; Courtesy of the artist.

Amanda Shea

Artist Performer at #HellaBlack Live MixTape Vol. 5: Soul

Amanda Shea (she/her) is an artist and educator residing in Roxbury, MA. Amanda has hosted BAMSFest and curated poetry events; facilitated youth workshops for spoken word poetry, visual arts, and public speaking. Last year, she was named among WBUR The ARTery’s 25 artists of color transforming the cultural landscape. She co-founded and curated four iterations of Activating ARTivism, a community festival to amplify POC through art, activism, and resistance. Amandaʼs work is primarily rooted in generational trauma, social justice issues as well as social norms and constructs. As the great Nina Simone said, “an artist’s duty is to reflect the time”, she strongly feels that by amplifying what can be deemed uncomfortable, controversial, etc., allows us to have real conversations and understanding through our vulnerability. Her pieces can be emotionally charged however she has pieces that speak to joy, love, and compassion. We must touch the soul to enlighten the spirit.