J Stacy Utley
Leaders Council Member; Visual Artist, Educator
Bio
J. Stacy Utley is a critically acclaimed artist whose work addresses complex narratives found within the African American diaspora. Represented by Elder Gallery for Contemporary Art in Charlotte NC, Utley’s collages, assemblages, paintings, and drawings address conversant topics of the African American community that shape identities. He is a visual and public artist, guest lecturer, critic, educator, and arts advocate. Utley has shown nationally and internationally. Exhibiting his work in solo and numerous group exhibitions including the 2021 Venice Biennale Architectura for his collaboration with Evoke Studio for the Five Points Plaza public artwork. His executed works can be found in private, public and university collections including Johnson C. Smith University and the Center for Contemporary Political Arts in Washington DC.
Utley is a graduate of North Carolina State University, College of Design where he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He went on to receive a Master of Fine Art from Lesley University College of Art and Design in Cambridge Massachusetts. Utley has worked as a designer for international firms that include The Freelon Group, CallisonRTKL and Perkins + Will. He has taught in the School of Architecture and Honors College at UNC Charlotte. In addition to teaching, he has served as a guest lecturer and critic at UNC Charlotte as well as Johnson C Smith University and North Carolina State University. He currently teaches IB visual arts and serves as a Dean of Students in the upper school of Charlotte Country Day. He was a 2019 presenter at the NAIS People of Color Conference in Seattle WA lecturing on De-appropriating and Appropriately Teaching African American Art + Culture. His community and professional affiliations include North Carolina State University Black Alumni Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the National Arts Educators Association (NAEA).