Artist Statement
Joi Sanchez believes in the transformative power of art and love as tools for dismantling oppressive systems and liberating marginalized communities, particularly Black people. She sees joy and rest as acts of resistance and generational blessings. Her creative practice channels trauma into growth, advocating for the full humanity and autonomy of Black individuals through her work.
Artist Bio
bio:
A Brooklyn native finding refuge in the Bronx; C. Joi Sanchez is a multi-genre artist, curator & producer whose performances and visual art have been showcased at venues around the world. Her writing has been nominated for a Pushcart award and featured in Dazed Magazine, “S/He Speaks Vol 3 Poetry Anthology” & “BedStuy Ties”. Her self-published include B.L.A.H. Vol 1–3 is available in the Brooklyn Public Library. She studied photography at NYU and business at Brooklyn College, drawing inspiration from her musician parents and practical natured grandparents.
When she’s not booked and busy, you can find this frequently published poet and comics comic teaching creative development curriculum in programs across nyc. She enjoys being somebody’s mama, living her best Black life, drinking water and minding her business while creating platforms of visibility and self-sustainability for other marginalized artists to be empowered. Patronize her life work at www.patreon.com/radicalblackjoi or www.thegodis.art
Curriculum Vitae
Visual Exhibitions
2025
- May 2025: BlackJOY Imagination Vacation solo exhibit, Bailey’s Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
- March: Women United – Dope Art Party, Moonlit Lounge, NYC, NY
2024
- March: 3rd Annual Art of Femme Visual Art Show – Brooklyn Art Cave, Brooklyn, NY
- March: Women United – Dope Art Party, Moonlit Lounge, Chelsea, NYC
- March: Stronger Together – Kente Royal Gallery, Harlem, NY
- March: The New Natives – Quiet Lunch Magazine & The Yard, NYC
- March: Juicy Fruit – uckBilly, Brooklyn, NY
- February: Acts of Rest-istance: Best Practices for Artists at Rest, Joy, and Play – NYC Arts In Education Roundtable, Brooklyn, NY
2023
- July: The Resurrection of BlackJoy (Mural) – Washington Walls, Brooklyn, NY
- May: The Reconstruction of Black Joy (Solo) – House Party Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
- May: Blooming (Mural) – Washington Walls, Brooklyn, NY
- March: The Art of Femme – Brooklyn Art Cave, Brooklyn, NY
- December: The Resurrection of Black Joy (Solo) – Daily Press Coffee House, Brooklyn, NY
Previous Years
- 2021: Black & Gold – Fable Jones Studios, Brooklyn, NY
- 2020: Brooklyn Black Arts Expo: A Juneteenth Celebration (Online, Guest Curator) – The Living Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
- 2016: Wreck-Claim-Action (Solo) – The Living Gallery BK, Brooklyn, NY
- 2014: Girl on Fire (Guest Curator) – Bishop Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
- 2011: Tim Gunn Art Show (Curator/Producer) – WOW Cafe Theatre, NYC, NY
Residencies
- TBD Fall/Winter 2025: Poetry & Collage Residency - Kolaj Institute, New Orleans, LA
- March 2025 – Jan 2026: Producer-in-Residence – Glimmer Garden MicShop, WOW Cafe Theater, NYC
- Oct 2024- present: Resident Vocal Artist - A Jam Called Saturday & Lucilles Harlem, NYC, NY
- Jan 2024 – July 2024: Comedic Residency – The Roost Comedy, Big Chuckles Productions, NYC
- Jan 2024 – Jan 2025: Comedic Residency – Monday Night Raw Comedy Show, High Brow Comedy Union, SweetBk Bar, Brooklyn
- Feb 2024 – Nov 2024: Producer-in-Residence – Good Grief MicShop, WOW Cafe Theater, NYC
- Dec 2023 – Jan 2024: P/AIR – The Leisure Revolution, HRYC & Chashama, NYC
- June 2023 – Nov 2023: Producer-in-Residence – Good Grief MicShop, WOW Cafe Theater, NYC
- Fall 2022- August 2024: Visual Artist-in-Residence – Positive Vibes, Brooklyn, NY
- Summer 2022 - July 2024: Visual Artist-in-Residence – Granny Zaas, NYC
- 2022 – Summer: Visual Artist-in-Residence – Unruly Collective, Brooklyn, NY
- 2020 – 2023: Virtual Artist-in-Residence – Dispatches From Quarantine, Los Angeles, CA
- 2018 – 2023: Performance Artist-in-Residence – Harlem River Yacht Club, NYC
- 2019 – 2021: Performance Artist-in-Residence, Writer/Comedy – Smokes and Jokes Comedy, NYC
- 2013 – 2014: Curator-in-Residence – The Living Gallery BK, Brooklyn, NY
- 2014 – 2016: Resident Cabaret Producer – WOW Cafe Theatre, NYC
Performance & Production
- July 2025: Featured Music Performance - The Jungle Worldwide Day Festival, Bushwick, BK
- June 2025: Invited Panelist “Curiousity, Wonder, Joy & Portals” - Kolaj Festival, New Orleans, LA
- June 2025: Poetry Performance - Kolaj Festival, New Orleans, LA
- June 2025: Invited Performer - “S/He Speaks Vol 3” book launch - Philadelphia, PA
- Feb 2025: Featured Poet - Nublu Classic, NYC, NY
- June 2024: Featured Music Perfomance - Lido di Jesolo, IT
- June 2024: Producer/Writer/Set Design – Wow Cafe Theater 2024 Festival of Joy & Resilience, NYC
- March 2024: Lighting Tech & Design – Fresh Fruit Festival, NYC
- February 2024: Live Artist – In Living Color, Please Don’t Tell, Brooklyn
- December 2023: Event Production – WOW! NYE Fundraiser, WOW Cafe Theater, NYC
- July 2023: Playwright & Lead – Thee Quest for Black Joy, Dixon Place HOT! Festival, NYC
- March 2023: Lighting Design & Operator – The Book of Love: Confessions of a Black Lesbian, NYC
- Nov 2021: Production Assistant – Amazon Holiday Preview Event, Brooklyn
- Oct 2021: Set Designer – Khendra Foster Performance, Nublu 151, NYC
- Dec 2016: Lighting Designer & Engineer – For All My Girls, Harlem MIST Theater, NYC
Teaching Artist Experience & Employment
- July 2024 - current: Operations Manager - Cardamom & Thyme Social Justice Cafe, Bronx, NY
- Summer 2023: Workshop & Program Coordinator – Creating With Black Joy, Caldwell Enrichment Programs, Bronx
- 2016: Creative Writing Workshop Teacher – Girl Be Heard, Brownsville HS, Brooklyn
- 2014: Visual Art Teacher – EM Arts, BedStuy, Brooklyn
- 2012: Performance Poetry Teacher – Citizen Schools, East Harlem
- 2016: Visual Arts Enrichment TA – LBSA, Brooklyn
Publications
- March 2025: Body Image Poem: All The Things They Don’t Tell Women – Wild Sound Poetry Festival
- Feb 2025: S/He Speaks 3: Voices of Women, Trans & Nonbinary Writers – Moonstone Press
- Sept 2024: Grief Poem: What Nobody Tells You – Wild Sound Poetry Festival
- Jan 2022: Personal Ties - BedStuy Brooklyn (Afterword by Amy Touchette) – Schilt Publishing, Amsterdam
- Spring 2015: Of Blood & Bones – Quick, Fast & Deadly Literary Mag, SF&D Publishing, NYC
- Dec 2022: B.L.A.H. Vol 3: The Secret Life of Clouds – TheGodIs Arts LLC, Brooklyn
Awards
- 2024: The Laundromat Project BedStuy Create & Connect Grant
- 2024: Acts of Rest-istance: Best Practices for Artists at Rest, Joy, and Play Salon
- 2023 & 2024: LMCC Creative Engagement Grant – Manhattan Arts Grant, WOW Cafe Theater
Education
- NYU: Photography (2000–2002)