Sone-Seeré Burrell

Artist, Art Therapist and Art Therapy Professor Sone-Seeré “JusRé” Burrell was born & raised in Richmond, VA. She is a board-certified art therapist and professor of art therapy & clinical placement coordinator at The George Washington University. She has always had each of her creative fingers in a different artistic venture. While she experiments with abstract art for catharsis, Sone-Seeré enjoys portrait work the most. She delights in capturing facial expressions and emotions while playing with vibrant, unusual color pairings and incorporating fabric into her pieces. Her works are inspired mostly by music, sound, movement and creative expression in all forms. Her pieces evoke a strong commitment to depicting BIPOC experiences, highlighting positive Black imagery, documenting poignant historical moments within the African diaspora, addressing the social injustices faced by marginalized populations, bringing attention to mental health concerns faced by BIPOC populations, and celebrating a rich legacy of meaningful musical expression. Sone-Seeré aims to elevate the voices of the unheard, provoke thought, convey empathy, invoke joy, and inspire positive change through creative expression.

From an early age, she felt a strong connection with creative expression and is grateful that her family cultivated a childhood full of artistic experiences for her. From performing with the E.Gwynn African Dance company, guest-starring with the Akoma de Gado Drum and Dance ensemble, to partnering with NPR for the Richmond International Film Festival, she’s passionate about movement and art! Sone-Seeré studied Graphic Design at North Carolina A&T, earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Walden University and received her Master’s in Art Therapy at The George Washington University. She was thrilled to be honored as the first woman commissioned to design and paint the official poster for the 31st Annual 2nd Street Festival in Richmond VA in 2019.

Sone-Seeré believes in the healing power of creative expression and began to tap into painting after experiencing grief and loss. It was in those moments that she became enthralled with color mixing and began an experiment with paint that continues today. “It was the painting process that would ultimately pull me from the depths of a very dark time in my life. Art making has and will continue to be central to my healing process.” Her passion for the arts and mental health fuels her drive to share the healing power of the expressive arts with others. Whether she’s experimenting with color choices in her portraits, recording her painting through videos set to music, hosting paint experiences, sewing apparel and accessories, leading therapeutic painting classes, or providing creative outlets for others’ expression through art therapy, she always finds a way to keep art-making and creative expression at the center of her world.

IG: @jusre

Facebook: Sone-Seeré Burrell