My name is Alyssa Renee Barber. Creatively Biased houses all information on who I am and what I am doing as a creator, professional and philanthropist to change the world. My mission is to use my artistic talents to support missionary efforts around the globe!
Alyssa Renee Barber; a philanthropist, a visionary, the future.
Alyssa Barber is a 2015 graduate of the illustrious Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Graphic Design and a Minor in Marketing. In 2016, Alyssa received her Media Design Masters of Fine Arts degree from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Her knowledge of design has allowed for Alyssa to also work independently, creating promotional art for various organizations in the United States and abroad.
Alyssa is an alumna of the Freddye T. Davy Honor’s College, amongst other programs at Hampton University, including the Yearbook Staff and The Hampton Script Newspaper Staff. She worked as a teaching assistant within the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and was also the president of the Visual Poet’s Society. Alyssa was also a fine artist assistant for Professor Tracy Spencer-Stonestreet.
The skills and opportunities developed during this time period prove beneficial in her everyday life and will for years to come. Originally from Westchester, New York, Ms. Barber now resides in Marietta, Georgia, where she is the Family Services and Outreach Manager for the East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC). EAKC is a nonprofit organization which provides S.T.E.A.M based, year-round out of school time (OST) programming for youth placed "at risk" in Southeast Atlanta.
Previously, Alyssa worked as a special education paraprofessional at Burgess Peterson Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools System. She also worked as the lead teacher with Incredible Kids Atlanta, an advocacy and enrichment program for elementary aged youth. She has always had an altruistic spirit. Alyssa’s parents encouraged her to go above and beyond for others in her church and community, and to make a difference in the world. She was the president of her local Youth Leadership and NAACP chapters in high school, and since the completion of her academic journey, she’s been able to fully dive in to philanthropy and commit to her dream of helping others. In 2017, Alyssa went on her first two week mission trip to Haiti, and that experience has completely changed her life.
Alyssa is currently the co-program facilitator for Frontier Projects Haiti (FPH), which is an Australian based charity that focuses on supporting families and children in Haiti. Since her first trip to Haiti, Alyssa has lived there for a total of nine months, teaching and developing programming for underserved communities throughout Port-au-Prince. One of her most sensational programs was “Learn English with Alyssa,” a 10 week ESL course which promoted learning conversational English for all ages. Her passion for service and love for children has allowed Alyssa to use her skills in an unconventional way. While in the United States, Alyssa continues to raise funds for programming and support for youth and families overseas. With Frontier Projects and Light for Living International Ministries (LIFLIM) she works to support five distinct and powerful initiatives that aid in teaching, family/community involvement and sustainability. She says “Working with Frontier Projects and LIFLIM has been the most rewarding experience of her life. It feels good to have the ability to make decisions that positively impact and make real differences in the lives of others!”
In the future, Alyssa intends to develop a non-profit organization for youth that makes use of digital communications and hands on work to positively influence societies around the globe. Her direction for this program is to encourage cultural understanding through creativity at an early age. Alyssa was introduced to service at an early age and she would love to create a legacy that will inspire the next generation to do amazing things. She prides herself for being dedicated to changing the narrative of our world.
Artist’s Statement
My fascination with art developed at an early age when I would watch my father recreate photographs into animations. I began drawing and I took every creative class that my high school had to offer. When arriving at Hampton University in 2012, I had undergone very primitive artistic training. However, I thrived throughout the program, and secured a space for myself in the 2015 graduating class. My influences range from a multitude of artists who have been pioneers in their craft, and I am working on an abstract stylistic form of my own. I have been known to incorporate realistic elements into unrealistic dimensions, conveying mystery and a love and appreciation for the unknown. I pour my soul into several mediums, including photography, poetry and other written art forms, painting and digital art.
A single statement that can be applied to my work is: "Artists are broken in a way that sometimes fixes other people." Many of my works make use of bright, playful colors, mixed with intricate designs and patterns. My pieces have become symbolic of the mind, as I have developed a fascination for mental health and spirituality. The beautiful thing about art is that it is expressive and has no limitations. There are no rules, boundaries, or restraints. To create art, you simply have to feel and be willing to make the decision to not make any formal decisions at all. Some of my inspiration comes from artists such as Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Catlett, Jean Basquiat and Michael Platt. It is their influence that inspires me to be more than what I aspire to be. More importantly, I am inspired by people and my own every day experiences. My creativity grows as I do; learning and undergoing new experiences each day.
My goals include creating a non profit organization that makes use of digital communications and hands on work to positively influence societies around the globe. I would like to work as a full time philanthropist. I would also love to start an art program for youth in a developing area. My intent for this program is to encourage and cultivate cultural understanding and global knowledge through creativity at an early age. I want to teach children to use their minds and talents to make positive change in the world. Children everywhere deserve to know that they are valuable and can make a difference. I would be honored to showcase my artwork in the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City and The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, and also, to be featured in an issue of the International Review of African American Art. I am so passionate about all that I do. I am built to inspire. God has allowed me to do such great things at a young age, so I am known to get things done. Thanks for being a part of my journey.
xo
Alyssa Renee Barber; a philanthropist, a visionary, the future.
Alyssa Barber is a 2015 graduate of the illustrious Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Graphic Design and a Minor in Marketing. In 2016, Alyssa received her Media Design Masters of Fine Arts degree from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Her knowledge of design has allowed for Alyssa to also work independently, creating promotional art for various organizations in the United States and abroad.
Alyssa is an alumna of the Freddye T. Davy Honor’s College, amongst other programs at Hampton University, including the Yearbook Staff and The Hampton Script Newspaper Staff. She worked as a teaching assistant within the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and was also the president of the Visual Poet’s Society. Alyssa was also a fine artist assistant for Professor Tracy Spencer-Stonestreet.
The skills and opportunities developed during this time period prove beneficial in her everyday life and will for years to come. Originally from Westchester, New York, Ms. Barber now resides in Marietta, Georgia, where she is the Family Services and Outreach Manager for the East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC). EAKC is a nonprofit organization which provides S.T.E.A.M based, year-round out of school time (OST) programming for youth placed "at risk" in Southeast Atlanta.
Previously, Alyssa worked as a special education paraprofessional at Burgess Peterson Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools System. She also worked as the lead teacher with Incredible Kids Atlanta, an advocacy and enrichment program for elementary aged youth. She has always had an altruistic spirit. Alyssa’s parents encouraged her to go above and beyond for others in her church and community, and to make a difference in the world. She was the president of her local Youth Leadership and NAACP chapters in high school, and since the completion of her academic journey, she’s been able to fully dive in to philanthropy and commit to her dream of helping others. In 2017, Alyssa went on her first two week mission trip to Haiti, and that experience has completely changed her life.
Alyssa is currently the co-program facilitator for Frontier Projects Haiti (FPH), which is an Australian based charity that focuses on supporting families and children in Haiti. Since her first trip to Haiti, Alyssa has lived there for a total of nine months, teaching and developing programming for underserved communities throughout Port-au-Prince. One of her most sensational programs was “Learn English with Alyssa,” a 10 week ESL course which promoted learning conversational English for all ages. Her passion for service and love for children has allowed Alyssa to use her skills in an unconventional way. While in the United States, Alyssa continues to raise funds for programming and support for youth and families overseas. With Frontier Projects and Light for Living International Ministries (LIFLIM) she works to support five distinct and powerful initiatives that aid in teaching, family/community involvement and sustainability. She says “Working with Frontier Projects and LIFLIM has been the most rewarding experience of her life. It feels good to have the ability to make decisions that positively impact and make real differences in the lives of others!”
In the future, Alyssa intends to develop a non-profit organization for youth that makes use of digital communications and hands on work to positively influence societies around the globe. Her direction for this program is to encourage cultural understanding through creativity at an early age. Alyssa was introduced to service at an early age and she would love to create a legacy that will inspire the next generation to do amazing things. She prides herself for being dedicated to changing the narrative of our world.
Artist’s Statement
My fascination with art developed at an early age when I would watch my father recreate photographs into animations. I began drawing and I took every creative class that my high school had to offer. When arriving at Hampton University in 2012, I had undergone very primitive artistic training. However, I thrived throughout the program, and secured a space for myself in the 2015 graduating class. My influences range from a multitude of artists who have been pioneers in their craft, and I am working on an abstract stylistic form of my own. I have been known to incorporate realistic elements into unrealistic dimensions, conveying mystery and a love and appreciation for the unknown. I pour my soul into several mediums, including photography, poetry and other written art forms, painting and digital art.
A single statement that can be applied to my work is: "Artists are broken in a way that sometimes fixes other people." Many of my works make use of bright, playful colors, mixed with intricate designs and patterns. My pieces have become symbolic of the mind, as I have developed a fascination for mental health and spirituality. The beautiful thing about art is that it is expressive and has no limitations. There are no rules, boundaries, or restraints. To create art, you simply have to feel and be willing to make the decision to not make any formal decisions at all. Some of my inspiration comes from artists such as Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Catlett, Jean Basquiat and Michael Platt. It is their influence that inspires me to be more than what I aspire to be. More importantly, I am inspired by people and my own every day experiences. My creativity grows as I do; learning and undergoing new experiences each day.
My goals include creating a non profit organization that makes use of digital communications and hands on work to positively influence societies around the globe. I would like to work as a full time philanthropist. I would also love to start an art program for youth in a developing area. My intent for this program is to encourage and cultivate cultural understanding and global knowledge through creativity at an early age. I want to teach children to use their minds and talents to make positive change in the world. Children everywhere deserve to know that they are valuable and can make a difference. I would be honored to showcase my artwork in the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City and The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, and also, to be featured in an issue of the International Review of African American Art. I am so passionate about all that I do. I am built to inspire. God has allowed me to do such great things at a young age, so I am known to get things done. Thanks for being a part of my journey.
xo
