We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlisa Montrope. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlisa below.

Charlisa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Although there were many times where there was some self-doubt, I think deep down I always knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally. I have been creating since the age of 12. Art has always been something I enjoyed from drawing to painting, even sewing. When I was in Middle School my teacher entered me into the Scholastics art and writing competition where I won a silver key award. This inspired me to continue learning and growing in my artistic talents. All throughout High School I took Studio Art classes to learn the fundamentals of art and design. When I finished high school, I did not quite know I would go into art. The initial path I wanted to pursue was fashion, but my mom saw the potential I had and pushed me to study art in college. I spent 2 years at Miami-Dade College then I went on to New World School of the Arts. At this point even though I had invested so much time into art I was still doubtful about whether I was on the right path. The first year I spent at NWSA I felt so lost and out of touch with art speak/knowledge that I just knew I was not cut out for this life. As I learned and matured, I realized that I was not given this talent for me to be anything else. After NWSA I went to Graduate School at the University of Miami. The 3 years I spent in the Master of Fine Arts program at U.M. boosted my confidence even more. I learned a lot, made memorable connections, and got so many great opportunities to boost my artistic career here in South Florida. I spent a lot of time doubting myself but there is no place I’d rather be. Like Marc Anthony once said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I was born in Castries, St. Lucia and I live and work in Miami, Florida. I received my Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from The University of Miami, 2022. My work employs various printmaking techniques to build culturally specific imagery through map-making that reference my family’s immigration from St. Lucia to Miami, Florida. I seek to create a hybrid visual language combining traditional and digital methodologies in contemporary printmaking, heavily layering color, and form through collage techniques. Selected Solo exhibitions include Manmay Lakay: MFA Exhibition, University of Miami Gallery, Miami, Florida (2022) and Charlisa Montrope: An exhibition of paintings and print, The Copper Door B&B, Miami, Florida (2019), selected group exhibitions include Bonnier Gallery, The MFA Showcase (2022) University of Miami, Department of Art and Art History: 2021 Virtual Juried Student Competition Hosted by the Lowe Art Museum (2021), Mindy Solomon Gallery, “For Here or To Go” (2018). Montrope received a Keyholder Residency at IS Projects, Miami, Florida (2022) and Residency at Remarque Print Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2022) and work is in various private collections throughout Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

There are two things that drive my creative journey; my love/passion for art and the plans I have to give back to my communities. My ultimate goal is to open a Residency/Gallery space back home on the island of St. Lucia. I want this to be a space for both local and internationals to mix and mingle. In the Caribbean, being an artist is not something of prestige. Parents want their children to be Doctors, Lawyers, etc. Where that is important, I think it is more important to do what you love. I want to show young and emerging artist that you can do what you love and be successful.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is doing what you love. Like I previously quoted, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Even when things get tough, just knowing that I get to do something I am passionate about and sharing it with others is as rewarding as it gets to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charlisamontrope.com/
• Instagram: @charlisamontrope
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlisamontrope
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlisa-montrope-a7229bb7/

Image Credits
In-studio shots by Anne Jean-Baptiste @regashi.visuals Installation shots of artwork by Mariana Espindola @marispndl