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Sharika Mahdi is a visual artist and art educator currently based in New Orleans. After completing her communication degrees from LSU, her initial intent was to focus on a career in advertising and public relations, but as she progressed in her field, she became open and inspired to pursue other paths such as illustration, painting and teach art. 
 
Her style has been described as joyful, happy and even healing which is in alignment with her desire to incorporate color therapy into her art. Her background in visual art, particularly her participation in the renowned YA YA (Young Aspirations Young Artists) youth art program throughout high school and college, has laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial spirit to promote her art through gallery exhibits and festivals locally and nationally. She has also expanded her creative scope with children’s book illustration which was sparked by her first illustrated book in 2010 for the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center of New Orleans.  Since then, she has illustrated several books with plans to launch her own written and illustrated children’s picture books about positive thinking.  

​Artist's Highlights 
YAYA Young Aspirations Young Artists, Inc. 
Boys and Girls Club 
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Essence Art Marketplace
Emerging Artist Award 
NO Fair Housing Action Center
M Francis Gallery 
Dr Maya Angelou Art Collection
RePurposing Artist 
Negrotta Gallery Biloxi
East Baton Rouge Library 
St Charles Parish Schools
Emeryville Unified Arts District