CHERISSE ALCANTARA
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Bio 
Cherisse Alcantara (b. Philippines) is a Filipina-American painter based in San Francisco. She received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (2021) and her BA Arts from the University of California-Berkeley (2013). Her practice is anchored in the familiar and reimagines the spaces of the everyday. While engaging with the observed world and the formal language of painting, she conjures imaginary abstract spaces. Drawn to light, luminosity, saturated color, abstraction, and the particularities within her subjects, she works with thinly layered paint and iridescent pigments. In her recent works, she is absorbed by the mundane moments, textures and shapes that fill contemporary urban life. Inspired by the areas she lived in or frequented which includes the built environment and nearby landscapes, her art reflects upon transience and the need to dwell longer. 
CV
CHERISSE ALCANTARA
(B. Philippines) San Francisco, CA
cherissealcantara@gmail.com 
www.cherissealcantara.com

EDUCATION
2021   Master of Fine Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA  
2013   Bachelors in Art,  Art Practice, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

SOLO AND TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2017   Suggestive Narratives, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA
2014   Wendy Sussman Prize in Painting, Worth Ryder Gallery, University of California-Berkeley

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022    Flow, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA   
           Contemporary Color, Site: Brooklyn Gallery, NY

2021   Excuse Me, Highlights, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA    
          Excuse Me, Can I See Your ID - Part Two, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA
          MFA Thesis Show, 120th ASE, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA    
          Artmaking in Pandemic Times, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2020   Art is Essential, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA
          Alternatives ’20: Art House online show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts             
          Intuitive Play, Gallery 8, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2019   Reflection(s), Anne Bryan Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts             
          48 Pillars, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2018   Jack Knife Studios 2018 Exhibition, Jack Knife Gallery, Oakland, CA
          A Reckoning: Botanicals and Beyond, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA
          With Liberty and Justice For Some, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA 
          Excuse Me, Can I See Your ID?, Vessel Gallery, Oakland, CA
2017   4th Annual Juried Art Show, Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont, CA 
          Juried by Carin Adams (Oakland Museum) and Sarah Roberts (SFMOMA)
2016   Here, Part 1: 2016 BAC Artists Annual Exhibition, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA 
          Foursquared 2016, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015   Pence Gallery 40th Anniversary, Pence Gallery, Davis CA
          Fusion, Arc Gallery, San Francisco CA 
2013   Honors Show: That’s What’s Up, Worth Ryder Gallery, University of California-Berkeley       
          Senior Show, Worth Ryder Gallery, University of California-Berkeley  

AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS/RESIDENCIES
2021   The Hopper Prize, Spring 2021 Finalist 
          The Murray Dessner Memorial Travel Award, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
          Fine Arts Venture Fund 2021, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2019   Artistic Excellence Award, MFA Merit Scholarship, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
          The Jentel Artist Residency Program, Winter/Spring 2019, Jentel Foundation, Wyoming    
2018   NCWCA Mentorship Program Mentee Award, The Northern California Women's Caucus for Art, 
          San Francisco, CA
2017  Third Prize Award Recipient, 4th Annual Juried Art Show, Juried by Carin Adams (Oakland Museum) and     
          Sarah Roberts (SFMOMA), Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont, CA         
2013   Wendy Sussman Undergraduate Award in Painting, University of California-Berkeley
          Honors Studio Recipient, Department of Art Practice, University of California-Berkeley 
          Excellence in Drawing, Department of Art Practice, University of California-Berkeley 

PRESS/PUBLICATIONS
2022   Reed Magazine Issue 155, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2021   The Hopper Prize Journal, Artist Interview feature, October 2021    
          Dumb: Brute Reason, PAFA Student Journal, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts   
2019   Filipino American Artist Directory 2019 Publication, Edited by Janna Añonuevo Langholz

PRESENTATIONS
2021   PAFA Pours: Toast to ASE: Graduate Students, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum 
          Philadelphia, PA, May 18, 2021
          Thesis Symposium, MFA Thesis Presentation, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

​TEACHING
2020   Graduate Teaching Assistant to Renee Foulks:  Advanced Drawing,  Advanced Painting and Life         
          Painting (in-person and online), Fall 2020,  Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
          Teaching Assistant to Bruce Samuelson: Portrait Painting, Spring 2020, Pennsylvania Academy of the    
          Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

      
© 2022 Cherisse Alcantara
  • home
  • portfolio
    • Built & Urban Spaces (Present Works)
    • Natural Spaces (2020-2022 Works)
    • installation Photos
  • about
    • bio/cv
    • statement
  • contact