GLORIA ZAPATA

Digital Artwork by Gloria Zapata

As the founder of GZFotografias LLC, my mission is to create meaningful art that celebrates culture, identity, and community through original paintings, murals, digital art, photography, wearable art, and interactive public art experiences. I believe creativity has the power to inspire, educate, and bring people together while transforming everyday spaces into places of connection and reflection.

My artistic practice brings together studio work, public art, education, and community engagement. Through murals, exhibitions, workshops, and creative collaborations, I create experiences that encourage self-expression, celebrate diverse voices, and strengthen connections within communities.

Known for my signature silhouette portrait series, I combine detailed black-and-white silhouettes with bold color, contrast, and visual storytelling to honor historical icons, cultural leaders, family, friends, and community members. My work explores themes of identity, resilience, culture, and the stories that connect us.

Whether creating a mural, developing digital artwork, leading a workshop, exhibiting my work, or designing wearable art, I use creativity as a way to preserve culture, spark conversation, and create meaningful connections.

About Me

Artist • Digital Artist • Teaching Artist • Muralist • Photographer • Founder of GZFotografias LLC

Raised between Honduras and the Bronx, I create culturally rooted artwork that uplifts, empowers, and inspires. My practice spans original painting, spray paint, murals, digital art, photography, and community-based projects, allowing me to explore different ways of connecting art with people and place.

Through GZFotoGrafias LLC, I develop original artwork while leading workshops, public art projects, exhibitions, and creative experiences that celebrate identity, culture, creativity, and community.

Signature Style

Signature Style

My signature silhouette portraits explore identity, emotion, resilience, culture, and personal storytelling through a distinctive combination of detailed black-and-white silhouettes, bold color, and expressive visual elements. Inspired by the beauty and individuality found within each person, my work celebrates historical icons, cultural leaders, family, friends, and community voices.

I continue expanding this vision through murals, digital art, photography, and wearable art, transforming ideas across different mediums and bringing my artwork into both public spaces and everyday life.

My growing body of work explores Hip Hop legends, musicians, activists, cultural icons, artists, athletes, and community figures, while continuing to evolve through new subjects, techniques, and creative experiences.

Certifications & Advantage

GZFotoGrafias LLC is proudly certified as both a New York City and New York State Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), holding official MBE and WBE certifications.

These certifications expand opportunities to collaborate with government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and private organizations while supporting supplier diversity initiatives. They reflect my commitment to professional excellence, cultural impact, and community-centered creative services.

Community Engagement

In addition to my creative practice, I actively participate in vendor markets, cultural festivals, and community events across New York City. Through GZFOTOGRAFIAS LLC, I sell my artwork and custom products including prints, tote bags, apparel, and wearable art directly to the public.

I also create custom silhouette portraits and murals for individuals, organizations, and public spaces, adding a personal and cultural touch to each project. These experiences allow me to connect face-to-face with people of all backgrounds and share the stories behind my work in meaningful and memorable ways. Exhibitions Featuring Silhouette PortraitsCommunity engagement is at the heart of my artistic practice. Through vendor markets, cultural festivals, educational workshops, live art experiences, and public art projects, I create opportunities for people of all ages to connect through creativity.

Through GZFotoGrafias LLC, I share original artwork, wearable art, custom silhouette portraits, murals, photography, and creative merchandise while building meaningful relationships with communities across New York City.

My work encourages conversations around identity, representation, culture, belonging, and creative expression, while making art accessible beyond traditional gallery spaces and fostering meaningful community connections.

Public Art & Community Partnerships

Public art allows me to create lasting spaces where creativity, culture, and community come together.

In 2026, Gloria Zapata served as Lead Artist for Reflections of Us, a community-centered mural project at the 138th Street Community Garden in the Bronx. The project brought together public art, community workshops, collaboration, and cultural storytelling.

Working alongside collaborating mural artist André Trenier, neighborhood residents, volunteers, and community partners, the project demonstrates the power of public art to strengthen neighborhoods while celebrating identity, diversity, and belonging.

Project Highlights

  • Lead Artist: Gloria Zapata (GZFotografias LLC)

  • Collaborating Mural Artist: André Trenier

  • Grant Support: Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) – Community Engagement Grant (2026)

  • Community Partner: NYC Parks/GreenThumb

  • Project:Reflections of Us

  • Location: 138th Street Community Garden, Bronx, NY

  • Community Impact: Public mural, free workshops, and community participation.

Exhibitions Featuring Silhouette Portraits

Solo Exhibitions

  • Bronx Art Space — Evolve Your Vision and Open Your Mind (2022)

  • Poe Park Visitor Center — Evolve Your Vision and Open Your Mind | Black History Month (2022)

  • Poe Park Visitor Center — Everything Women | Women's History Month (2023)

Group Exhibitions

  • Group Exhibition — Kente Royal Gallery: “UNITY” Black History Month (2025)

  • Solo Exhibition—Poe Parks — Women’s History Month Exhibition:“Everything Women” (2023)

  • Solo Exhibition — Bronx Art Space: Evolve Your Vision and Open Your Mind(2022)

  • Poe Parks — Black History Month Exhibition:“Evolve Your Vision and Open Your Mind” (2022)

Vendor Artist — Harlem Night Market / Uptown Grand Central / La Marqueta | December 2024 - 2026

  • Sold original silhouette artwork, tote bags, and creative merchandise.

  • Engaged with attendees through conversations about cultural identity, community storytelling, and the inspiration behind the artwork.

  • Built relationships with community members, local businesses, and cultural organizations through public-facing art experiences.

Vendor Artist — Juneteenth Celebration, The LGBT Community Center (NYC) | June 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

  • Featured LGBTQIA+ and culturally inspired artwork, prints, and creative merchandise.

  • Promoted inclusive community engagement through art and creative expression.

  • Connected with diverse audiences through discussions on identity, heritage, and representation.

Vendor Artist — NYC DOT Summer Streets | 2025 - 2026

  • Participated in public community events showcasing and selling original artwork and merchandise.

  • Provided live art-making and interactive creative experiences for public engagement.

  • Encouraged community participation through accessible arts programming and visual storytelling.

Vendor & Community Events

Through GZFotoGrafias LLC, I participate in vendor markets, cultural festivals, and public events across New York City, sharing original artwork, wearable art, photography, and interactive creative experiences while connecting directly with diverse communities.

Harlem Night Market • Uptown Grand Central • La Marqueta

Vendor Artist | 2024–Present

  • Featured original silhouette artwork, wearable art, tote bags, and creative merchandise.

  • Engaged visitors through conversations about cultural identity, storytelling, and artistic inspiration.

  • Built lasting relationships with community members, local businesses, collectors, and cultural organizations.

The LGBT Community Center – Juneteenth Block Party

Vendor Artist | 2023–Present

  • Presented LGBTQIA+ and culturally inspired artwork, prints, and wearable art.

  • Promoted inclusive community engagement through art and creative expression.

  • Connected with diverse audiences through conversations about identity, heritage, and representation.

NYC DOT Summer Streets

Invited Artist | 2025–Present

  • Presented original artwork, wearable art, and interactive public art experiences.

  • Encouraged community participation through accessible arts programming and visual storytelling.

  • Created opportunities for visitors of all ages to engage with creativity in public spaces.

2026 Scheduled Appearances

  • June 20 – The LGBT Community Center Juneteenth Block Party

  • July 11 & July 23 – Uptown Shakespeare Pop-Up Market, Marcus Garvey Park

  • August 1 & August 15 – NYC DOT Summer Streets | East Harlem, Manhattan

Awards, Grants & Recognition

Bronx Council on the Arts

2026 Community Engagement Grant (CEG) Recipient

Awarded funding to develop Reflections of Us, a community-centered public art project promoting creativity, education, and community engagement.

View the Reflections of Us project on Bronx Council on the Arts →

https://www.bronxarts.org/grants/arts-fund-grant/reflections-of-us-bronx-silhouette-mural-project.html

NYC Parks / GreenThumb

Community Garden Artist | 2026–Present

Developed and contributed to community-centered artwork and creative engagement at the 138th Street Community Garden in the Bronx, including public art, workshops, and collaborative projects that celebrate local culture and community identity

NYC DOT Summer Streets

Invited Artist | 2025–2026

Presented interactive art experiences, live demonstrations, and creative engagement activities during Summer Streets events throughout New York City.

The LGBT Community Center

Juneteenth Block Party Artist | 2023–2026

Presented original artwork, wearable art, and community-centered creative experiences celebrating identity, culture, and inclusion.

Uptown Grand Central

Harlem Night Market • Uptown Shakespeare Pop-Up Market • La Marqueta

Participated in cultural markets showcasing original artwork while engaging directly with residents, visitors, collectors, and community organizations.

My Belief

Art has the power to inspire, heal, educate, and transform communities.

Every mural, painting, photograph, silhouette portrait, and workshop I create is rooted in the belief that creativity can foster connection, celebrate culture, and empower people to see themselves reflected in the world around them.

My goal is not simply to create artwork, but to create experiences that leave lasting impressions, encourage meaningful conversations, and strengthen communities through the universal language of art.