Carmen Menza’s work spans multiple mediums, but they all point to her concentration on expressionism, color and light. Since graduating from the University of North Texas in 1999 her work has manifested itself in the form of oil on canvas with sweeping gestural marks and sculptural impasto, with software based light sculptures animating soft undulating movements of color, with LED light boxes and works of neon light. She made her directorial debut with a short film titled “Dream Big” made for Dallas Aurora – Festival of Light held in the Dallas Arts District in October of 2013. Her work at Aurora was selected as one of the featured artists at the show. Menza’s work is part of the permanent collection at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary Museum in Dallas, Texas as well as part of several private collections throughout the United States and Canada. She has exhibited in numerous group and solo shows and in addition to being a visual artist, Menza also received her BFA in jazz guitar performance from the University of North Texas and is a songwriter, musician and performer.

Her Empire
She wears her bonnet
like a wedding gown
knowing that today,
on her veiled landscape
her season has come.

Silken blue then crimson folds
comprise her terrain and dance
with the attendant breeze.

I stand at her altar
and gaze at her weeping breasts
of ripened seed and vow
to hold this space in time.

She is more embracing now
than I ever recall
in her indigo and alizarin empire.

Education
1999 – BFA cum laude, Jazz Guitar Performance, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
1999 – 2003 Private study with artist Liz Richardson, Dallas, TX
1983 – AAS degree in Audio Technology, Ridgewater College, Hutchinson, MN

Experience
2005 to present – visual artist
1986 – 2005 – Award winning graphics designer, editor, technical director/broadcast television. Clients include
NBC, Cunard, American Airlines, WFAA.

Selected Collections
The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, TX
Anita and Truman Arnold, Dallas, TX
Dee and Charles Wyly, Dallas, TX
Jodi Shelton, Dallas, TX
Dr. Carol Riddick and Frank Riddick III, Dallas, TX
Darla and John Sansbury, The Woodlands, TX
Claudia and Gary Stone, Houston, TX
Mary and Bill Barnard, Richardson, TX
Solo Exhibitions
2014 Ilume Gallerie, Dallas, TX
2011, 2010 – The Belmont Hotel, Dallas, TX
2008 – The Cedars Gallery, Dallas, TX
2007 – Ice House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2005 – Visual Arts Guild of Frisco, Frisco, TX
2004 – Ledoux Art Gallery, Dallas, TX

Group Exhibitions
2015 – Cerulean Gallery, Amarillo, TX
2015 – modartists Show, modartists Gallery, Dallas, TX
2012-2014 – modartists Show, Ilume Gallerie, Dallas, TX
2013, 2011 – Aurora, Dallas Arts District, Dallas, TX
2012 – AC/OC, Cohn Drennan Gallery, Dallas, TX
2012 – East Austin Studio Tour, ModArtists Pop Up Gallery, Austin, TX
2012 – Quenched, 2nd Annual Water Thirst Art Auction, guest curator – Aja Martin, Goss/Michael
Foundation, Dallas, TX
2010 – The Rising Gallery, Dallas, TX
2009 – Eclectic Expressions, Arlington, TX
2009 – D Art Slam, D Magazine and F.I.G. Industries, Dallas, TX
2009, 2008 – Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX
2009 – Texas Wax Dallas, Texas Discovery Gardens, Fair Park, Dallas, TX
2008 – Texas Wax Dallas, Bathhouse Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2008, 2007 – The MAC Members Art Show, Dallas, TX
2009, 2008, 2007 – The Cedars Gallery, Dallas, TX
2006 – Ledoux Art Gallery, Dallas, TX

Selected Charity List
2008 – 2014 – Dallas Childrens Advocacy Center, Dallas, TX
2006 – 2012 – Black Tie Dinner, Dallas, TX
2014, 2012, 2010, 2008 – Aids Interfaith Network – Dallas, TX
2014 – Dwell with Dignity, Dallas, TX
2013, 2011, 2010 – DIFFA, Dallas, TX
2013 – Aids Resource Center of Dallas, Dallas, TX
2013, 2012 – Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX
2010 – SAFY, Specialized Alternatives for Families of Youth, Dallas, TX
2010 – PINK, Breast Cancer Benefit, The Rising Gallery Dallas, TX
2008 – Art for the Bridge, Dallas, TX
2005 – 2009 – Art Conspiracy, Dallas, TX