Resident Artists

Berrisford Boothe

Berrisford Boothe was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and immigrated to the United States when he was 10 years old.

For Berrisford, moving to America was a terrifying cultural experience, so he used art as a way of bridging the space between cultures. The youngest of eight children, he was inspired by the work of his next oldest brother, who was also a brilliant artist and is now a Rastafarian. In time, Berrisford transformed his fascination with art into a lifelong career as an artist and educator.

Currently associate professor of art at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Berrisford has been a visible presence on the Eastern United States art scene for more than 15 years, carefully crafting a career as a painter, printmaker, installation artist, lecturer and curator. His current work is inspired by circles, religion, African American artifacts and jazz. As an educator, he enjoys showing students the power and significance art has on the world, and his teaching forces him to “confess” and give meaning to life and to his art.

Berrisford is represented by the June Kelly Gallery in New York City, The Sande Webster Gallery in Philadelphia and Montanette T. Jones’ MuseArt Gallery in Atlanta. He has had 10 solo exhibitions and been part of more than 60 group exhibitions nationwide. In addition, he has served on the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and his work is part of public and private collections nationwide, as well as in the United Kingdom and South America.

Artist Statement

“I appreciate the role that the Banana Factory plays in presenting art as a professional practice. I admire the larger vision of extending the love for art and the practical use for art in the larger community. Everyone has the capacity to be creative, they just need an institute that can be the catalyst for creativity and inspire the evolution of the human spirit, and the Banana Factory plays that larger role.”

-Berrisford Boothe