ALONZO ADAMS, BORN IN HARLEM, RAISED IN PLAINFIELD, NJ

Born in 1961 in Harlem, NY and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey by his loving Mother. Alonzo's passion for art was nurtured from the streets of Plainfield to the country roads of North Carolina and enriched by trips to Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. 

​

Inspired by such greats as Charles White, Henry O. Tanner, L’Hermitte, John Singer Sargent and Rembrandt, Alonzo credits Dr. David Driskell with mentorship early in his career which helped define his ultimate direction and goals as an artist. He credits Dr. William Cosby with changing his life for receiving a fellowship to learn oil painting at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned a BFA from Mason Gross School of Art at Rutgers University and a MFA from University of Pennsylvania.

​

With over 25 years as a professional artist, Alonzo has garnered numerous awards in art exhibitions. Many publications have featured articles on Alonzo, including Art Business News, Black Enterprise, Images Magazine, Upscale Magazine and ESPN Magazine.

He was one of the first African-American artists to become an "Absolut Artist".

His work was featured in the “Black Romance” exhibit at the Studio Museum of Harlem.

 In 2003, three of his original oils were auctioned at Sotheby’s, with a phenomenal response.  

In 2004, Alonzo was one of the first inductees into the newly created Rutgers African American Alumnae Association Hall of Fame.

​

Alonzo's work has been showcased all over the country in several solo exhibitions.

In 2023 Alonzo accomplished his dream of being featured in a museum. His collection "A Griot's Vision" is on view at the Zimmerli Museum on the campus of his alma mater, Rutgers University from September 2023 - February 2024