Oletha's profile
Oletha DeVane: Celebrated Multidisciplinary Artist and Inspiring Educator
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Oletha DeVane has dedicated her life to artistic innovation and education. After earning her B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her M.F.A. in painting from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Oletha quickly made her introduction with her first major exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art in Massachusetts in 1976.
Her career is distinguished by a deep commitment to social, political, and spiritual themes, which are evident throughout her multidisciplinary practice. Oletha’s works—ranging from painting and sculpture to collaborative public art—draw richly from African diasporic traditions, giving voice to stories, prayers, and myths. Her vibrant surfaces, often adorned with symbols like snakes, birds, saints, and mermaids, invite viewers to contemplate transformation and communication across realms.
In 2003, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture in Baltimore commissioned DeVane to produce a video installation titled "Witness," documenting Maryland’s history of lynching. This work followed an earlier silent video installation on the same subject presented at Maryland Art Place in 2002. Her art is represented in permanent museum collections, and she has exhibited at esteemed institutions including the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Baltimore Museum of Art, Museum of the Bible (New York), and Museum of the Americas (Washington, D.C.), among others. Coverage of her work has appeared in B’more Art Magazine, Johns Hopkins University periodicals, the Baltimore Sun, and The Washington Post. Oletha’s impact extends far beyond her own creations. As a pillar of the Baltimore arts community, she has served as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts administrator, and beloved educator. Her influence has reached international audiences through collaborations in the United Arab Emirates, Haiti, Banff (Canada), Lecce (Italy), Ghana, and Thailand.
Among her most notable achievements is her 2007 honor as the Rollins/Luetkemeyer Chair for Distinguished Teaching at McDonogh School. Even after retiring in 2019 as head of visual arts, Oletha’s legacy continued when she was commissioned to create the “Memorial to Those Enslaved and Freed” for the school in 2021—a powerful tribute reflecting her commitment to history and social justice.
Oletha’s remarkable contributions have been recognized with a series of prestigious awards, including the 2026 Art-Omi sponsored by Deutsch Foundation Ruby Grant, the 2023 Baker Award, 2021 Anonymous Was A Woman Award, Art Matters Grants in both 2018 and 2020, The Trawick Prize in 2019, and a Ruby Foundation Grant in 2017. These honors underscore her status as a gifted artist and visionary.
Now residing in Ellicott City, MD, Oletha continues to nurture her studio practice and inspire those around her. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring impact of creative leadership.
