LaPaula Parker leads the way in art exhibitions at Café Med.
Photo Credit: Prof. Ayman Khoury LaPaula Parker proudly showcases her artwork at Café Med in Aix-en-Provence, France. Her artwork on the left is titled Bruises, and to the right, her artwork is Untitled.
Meet LaPaula Parker. She is a Graduate student at The American College of the Mediterranean in her second year of the Master of Fine Arts program, specializing in Painting and Visual Arts. If you stopped by Café Med this month, you might have seen her recent art exhibit, which included eight pieces of her artwork and was showcased from October 1st to 21st. Parker is the first of several art students with exhibitions at Café Med this fall.
IAU-ACM students enjoy studying at Café Med during Parker’s exhibit.
Artwork titles: Left, I got a little sister. Middle Bruises, and to the far right, the artwork is Untitled.
As a California native, she comes from Vallejo. Parker has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from the University of Southern California. After graduation, Parker stayed busy in Los Angeles by teaching music but aspired to learn another language, live abroad and get another degree. She was first introduced to The American College of the Mediterranean, as a high school student by a substitute professor. Years later, she applied to ACM for Grad school, in addition to other fellowships and PhD programs. Parker was accepted into ACM and received the college's Presidential scholarship. While on campus, I sat down with LaPaula to learn more about her journey.
Jeannette: Who or what inspired you to want to be an artist?
LaPaula: I was inspired by my mother, QuaMesha and my grandfather, Daniel also known as Candyman Dan. They both are designers and visual artists. The artist in my Granny's ( great-grandmother) and Anty's house like Ernie Barnes. And, the millions of books I have read. To name a few authors: Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones, and Marlon James.
Jeannette: How would you describe your art?
Artwork Title: Aria Photo Credit: LaPaula Parker
LaPaula: I use portraiture, layering, collage work, and abstraction to display the realities of people that I encounter and learn from. I show my emotions through exploring color theory. My paintings are expressive and layer the contradictions and nuances of my feelings experiencing the world as a Black queer woman.
Jeannette: What do you love most about art?
LaPaula: Art teaches me how to be receptive and open to change, making mistakes, and failure. I love taking photos of the process as I paint. I enjoy looking back and seeing the beginning states where I can't help but to feel doubtful and anxious to finish the piece. In the middle, I am more working manically trying to get the end vision I have in my head actualized. Mostly, I feel happy and proud of myself at the end. I love that feeling ! Each painting I am empowered and forced to be flexible to my spirit, that tells you to make a decision though you may not know why yet.
Jeannette: How does it feel to have your artwork exhibited at Café Med?
LaPaula: It feels fabulous. I am grateful for the opportunity and I feel proud of the work I displayed.
Question: Who is your favorite artist(s) of all time?
LaPaula: Visual artists; Ernie Barnes, Annie Lee, Wangechi Mutu, Carrie Mae Weemes, Naudline Pierre, and John Berger.
Vocal artist: Kelela, Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway
Jeannette: How can people contact you?
LaPaula: I can be contacted by email at Hexnahje@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Prof. Ayman Khoury Parker’s exhibit includes her artwork titled Bruises
Parker will graduate in the summer of 2025, and when asked where she sees herself after receiving her MFA, she says, “ I dream of being a painter, selling my work, exhibiting my work around the world, and singing for crowds of people.”