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30 Fantastic Deaf Artists

In celebration of Deaf culture, here are some amazing living Deaf artists for you to check out.  I will be revealing one a day in the 30 days leading up to the release of YOU DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING, JILLY P! on Sept 25! For the most current names, check out on Twitter.  (Note: This list is now complete!)

Aug 26: Hurray! begins today, and we’re starting with a middle grade powerhouse, Cece Bell! is the author of many titles, including EL DEAFO, the Newbery-winning, mostly autobiographical story of a Deaf rabbit with classroom superpowers! cecebell.wordpress.com

Aug 27: The best way I can introduce you to Cree hoop dancer Burton Bird is to show you him in action: Born Deaf, he feels the vibrations of the drums in his feet. He advocates for other Deaf First Nations people in Northern Saskatchewan.

Aug 28: If you watched Sesame Street before 2002, you know today’s celebrant Linda Bove, even if you didn’t know her last name. The first signer many hearing people knew is also co-founder of Little Theater of the Deaf and Theater! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=262zTsGTEiE

Aug 29: As an actor, writer, director, and co-founder of National Theater of the Deaf, Bernard Bragg has supported and strengthened Deaf culture for over 60 years! In 1967, he was part of the first special to show Deaf folks signing on TV.

Aug 30: Filmmaker Jade Bryan is the 1st Deaf Black woman to earn a filmmaking BFA from NYU’s Tisch School! is an activist, documentary filmmaker and TV writer. Watch her sizzle reel for The Two Essences here:

Aug 31: Another filmmaker today on ! Jules Dameron. has an extensive directorial filmography, including ASL music videos with Deaf performers. She also coined the hashtag . See a trailer for “Reverse Polarity”and more at

Sept 1: Sean Forbes is a Deaf hip-artist from Detroit. Here’s his newest video, Watch There Hands: is also co-founder of the Deaf Professional Arts Network. Check out more videos at .

Sept 2: Jazmyne Huerta‘s photography catches people in all their beauty. She is self-taught, but learned additional skills at NTID. She works in Southern California and is available for weddings, baby photos, and more. https://www.dailymoth.com/single-post/2017/09/08/Deaf-Business-Spotlight-Jazmyne-Huerta-Photography

Sept 3: Today features the fabulous dancer and dance instructor Antoine Hunter. is also founder and director of the annual Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival. If you’re going to give Antoine the beat, play it LOUD!

Sept 4: You might have spotted actor CJ Jones just a few weeks ago on the Hulu series Castle Rock, but his career in film, television and theater spans decades, all the way back to his appearance on A Different World in 1991! https://www.cjjones.com #30DeafArtists

Sept 5: Poet Ilya Kaminsky authored the award-winning Dancing in Odessa, and his new collection, Deaf Republic, will release next March. moved to the US from the former Soviet Union in 1993. He now teaches at San Diego State University.

Sept 6: Sound artist Christine Sun Kim challenges a largely hearing world to explore sound in new ways. has been featured at the MOMA in NY, Hull House in Chicago, on the TED Talk stage, and more! …

Sept 7: Today celebrates poet, multi-media artist, and teacher, Ayisha Knight-Shaw. was the first Deaf poet on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam (Season 4). Plus she created my Deaf character, Derek’s name sign!: Visit her at deafayisha.com.

Sept 8: Ann Clare Le Zotte is a writer, librarian, and stellar Deaf advocate for quality children’s lit. Read about ‘s powerful YA novel, T4, along with a sample, here: And watch for her MG, SHOW ME A SIGN, out next year!

Sept 9: Ella Mae Lentz‘s heart and passion shine in her ASL poetry. Here’s her subtitled poem to A Hearing Mother (begins 1 minute into video): ASL students may recognize her from the Signing Naturally series, which she co-authored.

Sept 10: De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) artist Ellen Mansfield explores Deaf experience, audism, and her late access to language through painting, ceramics, and more. Her retrospective can be seen now through Sept 28th in DC! More info here:

Sept 11: Marlee Martin isn’t just a great actress; she’s also an outspoken advocate for the Deaf. And an author! (Yay writers!) To date, is the only Deaf Academy Award winner. She’s also appeared on shows like The L Word and Dancing With the Stars.

Sept 12: Dancer, instructor, and choreographer Brandy Mimms has today’s spotlight on ! Here’s her choreography in action, a piece inspired by Hurricane Katrina, performed at UA Little Rock:  

Sept 13: Chella Man is a young, Deaf, genderqueer artist who has documented his transition on youtube and spoken on the TedX stage. Here’s talking a bit about his experience with Cochlear Implants:

Sept 14: Graphic novelist Awet Moges is author of Pantheon: Heterotopia, which asks, “Did the Gods invent mortals, or did mortals invent the Gods?” You can order Pantheon from your local indie or here: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781944854041 #DeafTalent #30DeafArtists Watch for another writer tomorrow!

Sept 15: Sara Novic‘s novel, Girl At War, has won the ALA Alex Award for adult fiction with youth appeal, and has been translated into 13 languages. is also an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Stockton University. Hurray for !

Sept 16: Prinz-D, The First Deaf Rapper isn’t the only hip hop artist on this list, but this Alabaman started rapping at 9. , today’s highlight on , includes snippets of ASL in his videos: (Note: this video begins with a gunshot.)

Sept 17: Kerri Radley has been writing and publishing the zine Deafula since 2010. Over the past 8 issues, Kerri has explored her experiences as a Deaf person, raised in the oralism method and living in a mostly hearing world.

Sept 18: Comic creator and illustrator Carlisle Robinson is queer, trans, and passionate about including Deaf people and issues in their work. You can read ‘ endearing comics, including their most recent series, “Growing Up Trans”, here: Artists

Sept 19: Expressionist Painter Nancy Rourke uses primary colors boldly in her art. has been painting since she was small, but it wasn’t until 2010 when she really started to involved in De’VIA (Deaf View Image Art). Check her out at:

Sept 20: Shaheem Sanchez‘s dance moves are smooth as silk. He also taught his skills to his younger brother, SYTYCD winner Kida The Great. You can check out today’s celebrant here: https://youtu.be/htTVFymlbGE

Sept 21: Millicent Simmonds has starred in the movies Wonderstruck and A Quiet Place. AP named her a Breakthrough Entertainer of 2017 and Time called her role in Wonderstuck one of the year’s Top 10! Here’s Millicent on the importance of Deaf rep:

Sept 22: Filmmaker and advertising art director Storm Smith brings her passion for influencing social change to her work. She also teaches at Deaf Film Camp for youth. Don’t miss the amazing basketball trick battle she filmed, Chrissa x Samaya, at:

Sept 23: Rosa Lee Timm is known for her ASL music videos and storytelling, like this delightful one for Katy Perry’s Roar: also performs the “The Rosa Lee Show” and stars in ASL Films’ Versa Effect. Talk about !

Sept 24: What better way to wrap up #30DeafArtists than with rapper Wawa! @diphopwawa‘s music is catchy and his videos are visual delights, like Bounce With Me!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeABxQf25nk More, including digital album Deaf: So What? at: https://www.diphopwawa.com/ #DeafTalent

August 21st, 2018 | Category: Uncategorized

1 comment to 30 Fantastic Deaf Artists

  • Sylvia
    August 23, 2018 at 9:53 pm · Reply

    I got the ARC for this book, and I absolutely LOVE it!! So good! I think that this is a great idea. I can’t wait to find out who the 30 artists are.

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