Brown-skinned young Black woman shown in a circular portrait with thin, long dreadlocs. She has a relaxed, slight smile. She's wearing a black sheer top leather jacket.

BIography (150 Words)

Amaranthia Sepia feels it's critical to use her voice to facilitate representation of marginalized women and marginalized genders. As a Buddhist Black, invisibly disabled woman with C-PTSD, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, she highlights unconventional experiences through art. Amaranthia, along with her Mom, Claire, is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising, home of virtual charitable art event "Art & Mind," which helps creative folk who are marginalized women and marginalized genders gain accessibility and visibility in the arts to facilitate personal healing. Currently she's a resident of Socially Distant Art, a residency focusing on disabled creatives.

Returning to America after spending her childhood in Japan, Sepia was severely bullied. Creating works based on fond memories of Tokyo taught her the healing power of art. Since 13, she's coordinated art events on anti-bullying advocacy, BLM, disability, and women's mental health. Now 23, she provides creatives tools for utilizing their creativity to gain confidence to make a difference in their communities.

50 Words

Amaranthia Sepia is a Black invisibly-disabled creative activist. She's co-founder Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," a virtual event showcasing creative underrepresented women and marginalized genders. She's coordinated BLM gallery, "This is a Movement, Not a Moment," and features in Painted Brain's "Discovering a Place For Us" and UVA's Invisible Disabilities.

One Sentence BIO

Amaranthia Sepia is a Black invisibly-disabled coordinator, creative, and activist who is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," a virtual event showcasing creative folks who are underrepresented women and marginalized genders.

Area of focus

• Inclusivity in Art Leadership
• Art Activism (Artivism)
• Mental Health Awareness
• Marginalized Women/Femme Creatives
  

popular topics

• Using Artivism in Communities (Art-Activism) to Form a Healing Space for Creative Women
• I Know Who I Am: How The Art of Storytelling Can Help Overcome Self Sabotage
• Emo Bunny: Character Design As An Expressive Tool For Mental Wellness
• How to Create Art Accessibility For The Mentally Ill.
  

Testimonials

"Highly recommend collaborating with this vibrant, talented cultural worker!

Amaranthia and I worked together on the Art & Mind project this past year (2021) which she was the primary organizer and generously chose our nonprofit as a beneficiary of the fundraiser. Ama's ability to coordinate and direct dozens of people is extremely impressive especially for someone so early in their career as an arts practicioner and healer. This has been a transformative year for me personally and seeing Ama's work in mental health work and advocacy in the arts helped me feel safe and prepared to be vulnerable with my community ...

- Sam Potrykus, Brain Arts Org Founder

"Amaranthia is someone I would love to work with in the future. As a female therapist, I was amazed by the art displayed at Art & Mind... I appreciate how honest, vulnerable, and beautiful the art was and have immense gratitude to all of the artists involved since they are destigmatizing mental health in the most creative way! I feel honored to have been a part of that."

- Dulce Orozco, LMHC (Art & Mind Speaker)