If you want to support Bentrice’s Project you can donate funds directly to https://www.potentialproject.art/donation-page
Bentrice Jusu is an exceptional Liberian-American contemporary artist, firefighter, and activist whose commitment to service and the arts has distinguished her as a profound leader and creative force. An advocate for educational access, Bentrice began her journey as a freshman, becoming a founding member of Sisters in Service and a Multicultural Ambassador. Her dedication to community service earned her the NC ACTs Fellow distinction through AmeriCorps in 2010-2011. While at Wake Forest University, Bentrice graduated with honors in fine arts and had the privilege of engaging in a selective course by Dr. Maya Angelou on global poetry.
In 2011, Bentrice founded Both Hands the Artlet, the only arts-based organization at the time, in Trenton dedicated to serving teens. Under her visionary leadership, Both Hands has initiated three successful pilot programs, creating an interactive space that fosters mutual learning and growth among teens, mentors, and staff. Through her unwavering efforts, Bentrice raised over $150,000 in grants and resources, benefiting over 300 teens in New Jersey.
Bentrice's dedication to community service and entrepreneurial spirit has earned her numerous awards, including Wake Forest’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award for Most Impactful Social Venture, the Building the Dream Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Community, and the Russell D. and Elfriede Hobbs Student Award for Entrepreneurial Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship.
Internationally recognized for her artistic talents, Bentrice's work has been featured in galleries in Florence, Italy, and the esteemed Phillip Hanes Gallery. She has lectured to diverse audiences on her artistic process and performance dynamics, continually promoting arts and community engagement as a Resident Artist and Teaching Artist in New Jersey.
Beyond her work with Both Hands, Bentrice serves as the Advanced Community Engaged Leader for The College of New Jersey Trenton Works Network and undertook an adjunct professorship at TCNJ in 2022. She also sits on the boards of the Trenton Arts Fund and the Cross Communities Foundation. Currently, Bentrice is illustrating "Potential" through the “Sunflower Letters," StoryBOARDS, and Virtual Healing Space initiative, endorsed by The Kresge Foundation, Geraldine Dodge Foundation, and New Jersey’s Division of Children and Family.
Bentrice's multifaceted artistry spans sculpture, painting, music, poetry, and augmented reality, using her creations to pose introspective questions and shine a light on censorship and silenced voices in Trenton, New Jersey. Her work, vibrant and thought-provoking, creates exuberant experiences for the Greater Mercer County Community and the Tri-State Area through high-quality artwork, artistic programs, and community initiatives. Her incorporation of diverse artistic mediums and exploration of themes like illusions, metaphysics, and community issues further enriches her artistic expression and showcases her versatility and ingenuity.
As a celebrated artist, Bentrice has gained international recognition and acclaim. Her works have been featured at prestigious events such as the Zanzibar International Film Festival and SACI Italy, and she has secured a permanent spot in the Phillip and Caroline Hanes Gallery's collection. Additionally, her commitment to service, art, and community recovery has been highlighted through involvement in The Potential Project, which has garnered significant coverage from NPR and PBS.
Bentrice also serves on the Princeton University Arts Museum Advisory Board and designs public art and education courses for talented high school and college students, demonstrating her dedication to fostering arts education and engaging future generations in the creative process. In 2024, she co-facilitated a course with Dr. Vance Smith and Artist Nyssa Chow in the humanities, contributing to The Potential Project through immersive tours, plays, and resident interviews that culminated in short informational films about the environmental impact of redlining.
Recognized as a MacDowell Fellow, Bentrice enjoyed the prestigious opportunity to join the renowned residency program offered by the MacDowell Colony. Her original works of poetry have been performed at the Brooklyn Museum alongside the works of the renowned Alice Walker.
Bentrice Jusu's artistic accomplishments and unwavering dedication to her community solidify her as a transformative force in the art world and beyond. Her vibrant creations and community-driven initiatives continue to inspire and uplift those around her, making a lasting impact on the artistic and cultural landscape.