Amita Bhakta, VP, Membership

Emigrated in early teen from India after moving  around in US like almost all immigrants, finally settled in beautiful Tennessee Valley of North Alabama. Happily married with two sons and working along my husband, yet art is where my journey begins and continues on. Even when it appeared that my path was not leading me to art yet all along it was propelling me towards it. I was submerged into family, friends, work, community; yet my creative passage whether it was in paint, clay or words always stayed on course. I am pretty much self taught artist, my work vibrates with my thoughts and feelings; it is a journal of my heart.  

Above written Sanskrit Shlok from Chitrasutra changed my directions. In past years I have taken on art challenges such as  finishing 100 paintings in a year successfully as fundraiser for our local temple.  Have done various  solo and group exhibitions in North Alabama, taken my work cross country for entire exhibitions to raise fund for cause for the school of underprivileged children in India.  Also,  done large scale paintings which are now part of the public areas different institutions.  Been featured on APT and APR several times, am proud recipient of grants of Alabama State Council on Arts and several awards for my paintings and clay sculptures. However, my last   exhibition of 2022 "Moments of Radiance" and Darshan: Visions of India changed my direction of my work.  Now, I am in pursuit of "that" spiritual experience through my work and I want it to be for the viewer of my work also.

I feel blessed that God has granted me the heart of an artist. He’s given me nurturing, and supportive family, and surrounded me with valuable friends also wonderful community in North Alabama. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity of combining the cultural ideals of the two vastly different free nations: one of my ancestors and the one of my family’s future. and am proud Indian American."