Sandra Bloodworth American, b. 1950

Sandra Bloodworth, a Mississippi-born visual artist, has spent decades exploring themes of the human experience, loss, and longing through portraiture and still-lifes. Her emotionally resonant work—ranging from traditional paintings to site-specific installations—has been widely exhibited throughout New York, New Jersey, and the Southern U.S. In 2020, she conceived TRAVELS FAR, a digital memorial for MTA employees lost to COVID-19, drawing from family photos to create moving portraits displayed across New York’s transit system. Bloodworth’s 36-year tenure at MTA Arts & Design saw her champion public art, but her ongoing studio practice remains central to her recognition as a visionary artist. 

Her achievements have been honored with awards such as the 2024 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal and the Sloan Public Service Award. Bloodworth is also a published author, co-writing Contemporary Art Underground (2024) and other titles. Her PORTRAITS OF VISIONARIES project features life-size depictions of influential cultural figures rendered in a blend of traditional and modern techniques. These portraits highlight each subject’s spirit and presence, encouraging intimate viewer engagement and celebrating their impact on the creative and public realms.