Therosia

Therosia is the renaissance. A Creole artist of African and Indigenous decent hailing from South Phoenix, AZ, with a diverse range of talents in visual art, spoken word, and vocals. Her creations are deeply rooted in her spiritual beliefs and revolve around themes of hope, love, and liberation. Using dynamic colors and portraiture, she skillfully expresses herself. Growing up in South Phoenix, she found inspiration in the juxtaposition of "worship & war stories; gardens & graffiti," drawing influence from the vibrant fields that once graced the base of South Mountain and the graffiti of her neighborhood. Her bold use of color and intentional symbolism has earned her the description of being "color aggressive" by one interviewer.

Therosia's artistic journey began during her childhood while battling with Pseudotumor Cerebri or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, a condition caused by a chemical fire near her home. Despite her physical ailments and the threat to her life, private art lessons became her escape. After 4 ½ years, she experienced a remarkable turnaround and was healed through her faith. Today, doctors still study her case. She attributes her recovery solely to the grace of God. This event solidified her faith and gave her the life motto, "OutHustle Your Struggle," which drives her to inspire others to overcome their own challenges.

Specializing in live painting, Therosia became a city Art Battle champion by completing full portrait paintings in just 20 minutes, winning the hearts of fans. She has also been the resident live painter for Poetic Soul and Homebase open mic events, which enjoy large followings. Her lively live paint performances and vibrant portraiture have captivated audiences. Notably, during her live painting performance at the East Valley NAACP freedom fund awards, Therosia danced to live music while painting, resulting in the immediate sale of the completed piece. Her art exhibitions encompass live paintings and studio works. Her artwork has been showcased at esteemed institutions such as ASU, Millet House Gallery, U of A, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and Modified Arts.

As one of the artists contributing to the Valley Metro Light Rail Extension into South Phoenix, Therosia aims to illuminate the cultural contributions of those who have shaped the community. Her vision for the project has garnered enthusiastic support from community members and was even featured on the cover of the Arizona Republic newspaper.

Therosia is currently in residency with the Scottsdale Center for Learning and Innovation, where her classes, art, and influence have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants have described their experiences as "healing" and "exactly what was needed." Additionally, she has collaborated with Phoenix Center for the Arts, Tempe Center for the Arts, and Mesa Arts Center as both a performing and visual artist. At Mesa Center for the Arts, she will open the upcoming season with a captivating fusion of visual art and spoken word performance.

As a spoken word and vocal artist, Therosia has had the honor of opening for renowned acts such as the Roots, Erykah Badu, and Musiq Soulchild. Yasiel Puig was thrilled to have her as the featured artist for his poetry event. Her voice and performance have been cherished not only in artistic realms but also as a speaker. She has graced the stages of the University of Arizona, ASU, and the University of Versailles in Paris, France, where her speaking was impactful on students and falculty. Her singles, including "Chocolate," "Eagles & Turkeys," and "I Ain't Got Time," have garnered national and international attention.