About

Khara Woods is a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Memphis, TN. Her studio practice includes abstract geometric paintings, wood assemblage, and public art projects, including murals and community engagement initiatives.

Her work has recently been exhibited at Sheet Cake Gallery and Crosstown Arts in Memphis, Red 225 Gallery in Nashville, the Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery at Christian Brothers University in Memphis.

Since 2015, Woods has created murals and public art for numerous organizations, including the Memphis Public Library’s Cornelia Crenshaw branch (2017) and the City of Memphis’ Office of Comprehensive Planning (2023). In 2019, she was commissioned by Mural Arts Philadelphia to design a large-scale data visualization mural for Uptown Memphis as part of their Arts & Environment Initiative.

In 2025, she will debut her first solo exhibition in Augusta, GA, opening April 4th at Westobou, and is currently developing a large-scale outdoor installation for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, set to open in mid-April.

CV

EDUCATION

2005 Westwood College, Anaheim, CA Associate of Science, Graphic Design and Multimedia

2003 University of Memphis, Memphis, TN Bachelor of Arts, Journalism

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO & TWO PERSON

2024

It’s a Fine Line, Sheet Cake Gallery, Memphis, TN (Two Person)

2023 Edgewise: Exploring Pattern and Rhythm with Line, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN

2021 Axis, Hilliard Museum, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA

2020 Inside-Out, Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN

2019 Line and Fill, Wonder Cowork Create, Memphis, TN

GROUP

2024 BHM Visual Arts Exhibit, FedExForum, Memphis, TN

2022 Fabrica, Memphis, TN

2021 Group exhibition, Memorandum, 2021 Projects, Memphis, TN

2019 Group exhibition, 2019 UAC Artist Showcase, Urban Art Commission, Memphis, TN

PRESS

ONLINE

Ozmo, Zak: “Crosstown Arts spring 2023 exhibitions: An eclectic mix”, The Daily Memphian, May 20, 2023

Ellis, Susan: “Making a Statement: Murphy Maude Interiors launches art inspired collection”, Memphis Business Journal, May 16, 2022

Baker, Julia: “Mural to be demolished along with old MATA building”, The Daily Memphian, October 22, 2021, https://dailymemphian.com/article/24821/uptown-memphis-mata-mural-demolished

Morales, Andrea and Woods, Khara. Interview by Julian Kreimer. “Memorandum”, March 1, 2021, https://2021projects.com/media

“Basin Portraits”, Cell Press, One Earth, Visual Earth, Volume 3, Issue 3, September 18, 2020, https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(20)30430-9

Coleman, Jim: “Litter, Landfills, and Illegal Dumping: New murals tell the story in Uptown and Frayser”, High Ground News, December 04, 2019, https://www.highgroundnews.com/features/LitterMurals.aspx

Bradley, Cole: “Ugly ducklings: Libraries Inside/Out ups the curb appeal at Randolph and Crenshaw libraries”, High Ground News, September 12, 2018, https://www.highgroundnews.com/features/librariesinsideout.aspx 

RADIO

Trenholm, Emily: “On the Ground Podcast: How public art is engaging Memphians around sustainability”, The OAM Network, Memphis, TN, February 26, 2019

TV

Conley, Marybeth and Coleman, Alex, WREG Live at 9, “Memphis Designer and Artist Team Up to Bring Locally-Inspired Wallpaper into Your Home”, WREG, May 16, 2022

PUBLIC ART

2022 Sculpture (6’x3.3’x2’), University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

2021 Sculpture (3.5’x5’x2.5”), Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

2019 Exterior Mural (30’x20’), Memphis Area Transit Authority, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Memphis, TN

2019 Exterior Murals (7’x6’, 7’x5’), Maggie H. Isabel Street, Downtown Memphis Commission, Memphis, TN

2018 Exterior Murals, (17’x80’, 12’x40’), Cornelia Crenshaw Library, Memphis Public Libraries, Memphis, TN

AWARDS, GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

2021 New Public Sculptors Fellowship, Urban Art Commission, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

2019 Event Grant Program, Memphis Medical District Collaborative, Memphis, TN

2017 ArtUp Fellowship, ArtUp, Memphis, TN

2016 Community Grant, Memphis City Beautiful, Memphis, TN

2013 MEMShop Incubator/Accelerator Grant, MEMShop, Memphis, TN

EXPERIENCE, PRESENTATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

2024 National Planning Conference 2024, Streetscapes as Canvas: Memphis' Artistic Mobility Playbook, Minneapolis, MN

2024 Visiting Art Critic For Critique at Rhodes College, Memphis, TN

2024 Guest Lecturer at Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN

2024 APA (American Planning Association) Membership TN Chapter

2024 Hard Edge Workshop, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN

2024 ARTSmemphis Appointed Artist Advisory Committee Member, Memphis, TN