ARTS Southeast is pleased to host September ON::View Artist-in-Residence

Sonya Yong James

September 10 - October 2, 2026

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Meet & Greet:

Artist Talk: Wednesday, September 23, at 6:15PM (Doors open at 6PM)

Project Finale: Friday, October 2, 5 - 9PM, in conjunction with Starland First Fridays

About the artist:

Sonya Yong James (b. Knoxville, Tennessee) lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. She received a BFA from Georgia State University, where she focused on printmaking and sculpture. James has exhibited nationally and internationally for the past twenty-five years and has been the recipient of several grants, including the Artadia grant in 2019, and was a nominee for the 2023 United States Artists Fellowship award. 

Her work is held in numerous collections, including the High Museum of Art, Art in Embassies, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. James has exhibited in galleries and museums such as MOCA GA, The Minnesota Museum of American Art, UAB’s Abroms-Engels Institute for the Visual Arts, and the Ogden Museum of Art in New Orleans. James has received grants for residencies at the Atlanta Contemporary and Mass MOCA. James was included in the Atlanta Biennial in 2024.

About the project:

“The opportunity to immerse myself in a city so deeply layered with history and visual character is both compelling and aligned with the direction of my current artistic practice. 

“I will continue to explore my work about memory, place and landscape as an artist in the American South. Savannah’s distinctive blend of historic preservation, coastal ecology and evolving cultural identity offers a rich context for this exploration. 

“The residency represents a meaningful opportunity to expand my weaving and textile work while fully engaging with the Savannah community and ecosystem. I am happy to contribute to the residency community through open studios, discussions and collaborative engagement.” – Sonya Yong James

Follow along on Instagram: @onviewresidency and @sonyayongjames