RONTHERIN RATLIFF
New Orleans, LA
2025-2026 Grant Supporting Artist and Engaging with YAYA Alumni Community
Grant 2015, 2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2023-2024, 2024-2025
Rontherin Ratliff is a mixed-media artist and creative writer. Reflecting on his practice, he says, “As an artist working with mixed media, my sculptures are an exploration of the human experience—complex, layered, and full of contradictions.” The materials he selects—wood, metal, fabric, and found objects—are chosen not only for their physical properties but also for the energy they carry. “My sculptures are not just objects; they are living entities that reflect the health and wealth of my spirit, the depth of my passions, and the intricacies of my inner world,” he states. “My work is a testament to the beauty that arises when I allow myself to be fully present, to surrender to the flow of creativity, and to honor the complexity of life in all its forms.”
This grant will support Ratliff in launching an initiative to support artists in the YAYA alumni community who have relocated from New Orleans. “The motivation behind this project stems from my desire to give back to the creative community that has influenced me,” he explains. He will offer select artists his diverse skill set–including carpentry, design, sewing, painting, sculpting, project management, and gallery installation–to help enhance their creative output. “This new project represents an evolution of my artistic practice, moving from just creating artwork to fostering collaboration and community engagement. By supporting YAYA Alumni artists, I aim to deepen my relationships with them and help strengthen their creative initiatives. This project will also provide valuable learning experiences, allowing me to gain insights into different artistic communities while offering meaningful support. The ultimate goal is to create a cycle of mutual growth and support within the broader arts community, ensuring that the project’s impact lasts well beyond the grant period,” says Ratliff. He plans to visit artists who have had a high impact on the YAYA community but whose personal creative endeavors have been limited due to life or family obligations.
After joining YAYA in 1995, Ratliff later returned as Studio Manager from 2008-2012 then served as Artistic Director from 2012-2015. He is a member of Level Artist Collective and Antenna Gallery in New Orleans and has exhibited artwork at galleries and museums across the city. He has also exhibited work in Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, New York, Washington, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Mexico and the Netherlands. He has completed artist residencies at the Joan Mitchell Center (New Orleans, LA), Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator (Miami, FL), Court 13 (New Orleans, LA), and Elsewhere Museum (Greensboro, NC).
All works are copyright of the artist.