Artist Bio
Photographer Jayla Trenyce Watkins, at the culmination of her collegiate journey, creates work that challenges perspectives and explores the intersections of spirituality, femininity, nature, and family. With eight years of practice in photography, she has honed her craft through formal fine art education at Northern Illinois University and extensive professional experience in the greater Chicagoland area.
Her work, inspired by visionaries such as Deana Lawson and Carrie Mae Weems, is marked by striking portraits and still-life compositions that seamlessly blend form and content. Through her self-portraits, Watkins fosters a unique vulnerability with her audience, capturing the personal while inviting broader resonance. Her creative process begins with journaling, which grounds her work in authenticity and introspection, forging a deep conceptual connection to each image.
In addition to her photographic practice, Watkins is well-versed in social media management, curation, programming, and curatorial work, where she combines her visual storytelling with strategic digital engagement. She curated the first student-led Black Art Exhibition at Northern Illinois University, furthering her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the arts. Watkins has also contributed to the South Side Community Art Center, Chicago’s first Black art gallery, helping preserve and promote the city’s rich cultural history through art.
ARTIST
CV
Education
Northern Illinois University – DeKalb, IL
Current GPA: 3.9 | Bachelor of Fine Arts
Homewood-Flossmoor High School – Flossmoor, IL
Class of 2021 | GPA: 4.0
Skills
• Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom)
• Photography & Lighting
• Graphic Design
• Mailchimp
• Social Media Management
Awards
2021
• Illinois Northern Regional Art Exhibition, Best in Show
Professional Experience
South Side Community Art Center – Chicago, IL
Programming & Social Media Assistant (2024–2025)
• Curated newsletters with engaging and high-quality content.
• Facilitated key events at SSCAC and in collaboration with other cultural art spaces.
• Managed social media campaigns, leading to a 50% increase in engagement.
Archives & Collections Summer Intern (2024)
• Digitally documented over 500 works in physical archives.
• Operated the front desk, providing services to guests.
Ellwood House Museum – DeKalb, IL
Intern (2023)
• Captured high-quality photography of 3 onsite events for the museum website.
NIU Campus Activities Board – DeKalb, IL Director of Arts & Culture (2023)
• Managed and facilitated 4 school-wide events to promote cultural diversity, increasing attendance by 45%.
• Led and selected a committee of 6 students to assist in programming.
NIU Pink Campus Team – DeKalb, IL Photographer (2022–2023)
•Captured dynamic images of team events, including meetings and community outreach, for official social media platforms.
Curatorial Projects
• 2024: The Records Department – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2024: Kindred Noir Black Student Exhibition – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2023: Faces of Belonging – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2022: Past and Pleasant – Ellwood House Museum
Solo & Group Exhibitions
• 2024: My Mind: The Womb – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2024: Untitled – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2022: Past and Pleasant – Ellwood House Museum
Organizational Leadership
The Black Student Union – Northern Illinois University Vice President (2024)
• Facilitated roundtable discussions for over 30 Black student organizations.
• Created a shared calendar and hosted executive board and general body meetings.
Director of Cultural Awareness (2022–2023)
• Recruited 10% of new members.
• Programmed events promoting diversity and student engagement.