Call Her, Beni
The Artist, The Performer, The Mover
Illusions, meta physics, and community are the tropes that bridge all of Bentrice Jusu’s multi hyphenated pieces together. From sculpture to painting, music and poetry to augmented reality, Jusu bends and blends mediums while asking viewers potent and poignant questions: where are you from and where are you going— most importantly, who are you taking? She hides these introspections in the vibrance of color in her oft solemn subject matter, illuminating the silenced and the censorship in her hometown, Trenton New Jersey.
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Bentrice Jusu is Liberian-American, contemporary Artist, Fire Fighter, and Activist whose work remain in the permanent collection of Phillip and Caroline Hanes Gallery in North Carolina, has been featured internationally including the Zanzibar International Film Festival, SACI Italy, and at the Brooklyn Musuem where she has performed some her original works and those of Alice Walker from the book, Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart. Jusu was endorsed by The Kresge Foundation in support of The Potential Project which was featured on NPR, and PBS News and highlighted the necessary bridge between service, art, and, recovery. Bentrice currently serves on the board of the Trenton Arts Fund, Princeton University Arts Museeum Community Advisory Board, and Cross Communities Foundation, and working on illustrating "Potential" through Living on Purpose.
Education
2009-2013
Wake Forest University
Graduated with Honors Distinction in Studio Art and Minor in Film Studies. Additional Studies were in Florence Italy, at Studio Arts Centers International in 2012
2011-2018
Both Hands Artlet
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Established and launched an innovative arts-based organization for inner-city teens in Trenton, New Jersey and attained resources to design and implement an original Integrated Arts Curriculum (IAC)- including poetry, music, visual arts, film, and dance that served as the model for 12 cycles.
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Co-Authored Investigating Motivation and Engagement in an Urban After school Arts and Leadership Program alongside community Partner at The College of New Jersey, to conduct a quantitative investigation, with Both Hands Artlet as the principle subject which was published in Wiley Journal of Community Psychology
2021-2022
Kresge Foundation
Kresge Foundation, 2021-2022
Awarded $260k to realize a public art Augment Reality installation entitled, “the Potential Project” in Trenton, New Jersey.
2015-2021
I am Trenton Community Grant
I am Trenton Community Grant, 2015-2021
Provided funds through New Jersey’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program to support the THDC neighborhood plan approved by New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs to execute “Corner Boy’s Song” Curriculum, and other art initiatives
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2015-2017
Community Development Block Grant
Funded by the City of Trenton to provide two year-round Creative Arts and Leadership programming to at-risk youth through Both Hands the Artlet
2014-2015
National Endowment of the Arts, Our Town Grant
In collaboration with ISLES and the The College of New Jersey, Both Hands was awarded the NEA’s competitive grant to produce programming and art work substantial to the community.”
2013
Schoonmaker Prize For Public Service
Granted this prestigious award for displaying stellar involvement, actions, and impact on the community in and out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
2013
Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
Awarded by National Gird and The Huntington Family to continue business and artistic endeavors upon college matriculation.
2013
Riley Award For Entrepreneurial Excellence
Recognized by the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Center for audacious community initiatives.
2014
Elijah D. Foreman Spirit Award
Awarded at the 9th Annual Minding Our Business Gala for community initiatives through Both Hands the Artlet and the impact it has on the teens in the Trenton Community, as well as continual “energy, spirit, leadership, and unshakable faith.”
2012
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Building the Dream Award
Honored by Wake Forest University and Winston Salem State University for outstanding service and dedication to the community
2012
Russell D. & Elfriede Award for Entrepreneurial Achievement
Awarded this distinction for displaying entrepreneurial excellence during entire undergraduate career.
Award & Grants
2021-2022
Kresge Foundation
The Potential Project: 21 Stories of Trenton
Artworks Fine Gallery Trenton, New Jersey
2018
CROWNS: Local Women in Their Church Hats, Princeton, New Jersey
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The Arts Council of Princeton
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Paul Robeson Center For Fine Arts
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McCarter Theatre
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Princeton Public Library
2016
Against All Odds, Paul Robeson Digital Installation
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton NJ
2017
In’s and Out’s, Group Gallery Exhibition
Artworks Fine Art Gallery, Trenton, NJ
Selected
Exhibitions
2022
The College of New Jersey
Archivism: This course entails the exploration of the uncounted history of The College of New Jersey
(Trenton State) and how it’s impacted both the campus and the surrounding communities.
2019
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Photography Masterclass, Palisades Park Commission, Palisades, NY
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Digital Instructor, Multimedia Lecturer, Smith Family Foundation, Trenton, NJ
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Artist in Residence, Consultant, House of Sedulo, Baltimore, MD; Johannesburg, South Africa
2018
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Performer, Alice Walker Book Reading,Taking The Arrow Out of the Heart, Brooklyn, New York
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Photographer, McCarter Theatre Toni Award Winning, CROWNS Play, Princeton, NJ
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Lecturer, Artist Talk, Arts Council of Princeton, Paul Robenson Center, Princeton, NJ
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Commencement Keynote Speaker, Foundation Colligate Academy, Trenton, NJ
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Muralist, East Trenton Community Collaborative, Trenton, NJ
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Lecturer, Artist, Princeton University Preparatory Program, Princeton, NJ
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Artist, Designer, Consultant, Princeton Theological Seminary in Partnership with Artworks Gallery
2021
Princeton Theological Seminary
Loving our neighbors as ourselves, an exhibition of public art projects for Trenton and Princeton, seeking to foster unity and racial justice and reconciliation.
2017
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Creative Consultant & Designer, Andela, Nairobi, Kenya
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Digital & Multimedia Instructor, Princeton University Preparatory Program, Princeton, NJ
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Curator, Start Gallery, Winston Salem, North Carolina
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Instructor, Cinematographer, Mercer Arc in partnership with The College of New Jersey Engaged clients with developmental disabilities in creating short and dynamic films
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Instructor, Designer & Creative Director, GirlsDoSolar, Transnational Video and Poetic Art Initiative and Strategic Partnership with TCNJ, John Jay College, Zanzibar Operational Program
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Council Associate, Zanzibar International Film Festival, Tanzania
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Presenter & Videographer, United Nations, International Day of the Girls
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Resident Artist, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Arts In Education Residency Young Audiences, New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania
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Lead Community Engagement Liaison, Art Consultant , The College of New Jersey , Center of Community Engaged Learning
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Teaching, Lectures
&
Residencies
2013-2019
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Art of Becoming: Wood Street Virtual Reality Mural, December 2022
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Sunflower Letters Community Forum, July 2022
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Meeting with the Mothers, June 2021
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Project M.O.V.E: Optical Illusion Street Art, September 2020
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“Art of Becoming”: East Trenton Mural installation, June 2019
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“Permagraphs,” Outdoor Photo Installation, May 2017
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Panel for Sustainable and Just Communities TCNJ, March 2017
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Professional Training and Workshop for Civic Engagement leadership, May 2017
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Poetry and Music Performance for Art All Night, June 2017
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Trenton Youth Film Festival, Summer 2015
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Trenton African American Cultural Festival, Summer 2015
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Global GirlHood Women Empowerment Workshop, Fall 2014
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“Voices of a Trentonian Summer,” Summer 2014
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New Jersey State Museum Film Screening at the African American Cultural Festival, Summer 2014
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Film and Poetry Premiere, Spring 2014
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Interlude to Windows of Soul Pop Up Art Show, Spring 2014
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Both Hands Benefit Concert, Spring 2013
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Inside Out: Wake Videographer & Muralist, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Mar 2013