Introduction
Synthia Saint James (born February 11, 1949) is an American visual artist, author, keynote speaker, and educator who is best known for the original cover art of the hardcover edition of Terry McMillan's book Waiting to Exhale and for designing the first Kwanzaa stamp for the United States Postal Service, which was first issued in 1997. She also designed the 2016 Kwanzaa Forever Stamp.
Biography
Synthia Saint James was raised in both Los Angeles, California, and in the Bronx, New York. She sold her first painting in New York City at the age of twenty. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Career
Saint James had her first solo art exhibition at Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California, in 1977, the school where she studied the performing arts. In 1980, she participated in her first international exhibition in Paris, France.
She received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Saint Augustine's University, Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 8, 2010.
Saint James tours annually to colleges, universities and other venues to lecture and conduct master classes and workshops.
Awards
| Year | Award | Organisation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2015 Villager Award | Afram Global Organization Inc, The Village P.r.o.j.e.c.t.s. | |
| 2011 | California Black Women's Health Project | ||
| 2010 | Trumpet Awards-The Arts | Trumpet Awards | |
| Honorary Doctorate( Doctor of Humane Letters) | Saint Augustine's College | ||
| Hall of Fame | National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles Chapter | ||
| "Phenomenal Women" | California State University, Northridge | ||
| 2008 | "Woman of the Year" | 26th Senatorial District of California | |
| 2007 | “A Tribute to Synthia SAINT JAMES” | The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation & AEG Worldwide | |
| 2006 | “MOSTE Inspirational Woman” | MOSTE Foundation | |
| “The Samella Award” | Center for the Arts of the African Diaspora | ||
| 2004 | “Woman of the Year” (Education) | Los Angeles County Commission for Women | |
| “The History Makers Award” | |||
| 2002 | “Ebony Excellence: Women of Vision” | Mu Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. | |
| “Sisters Award” | National Alumnae Association of Spelman College | ||
| 2001 | “Greensboro, NC Key to the City” | African American Atelier Gallery | |
| “The Arts Council Award” | California Afro-American Museum | ||
| “Oppenheim Gold Award” - for the book To Dinner, For Dinner | |||
| 2000 | “Literary & Visual Arts Award” | 115th Anniversary Second Baptist Church | |
| “Talent Award” | Los Angeles Chapter of The Links, Inc. | ||
| 1999 | “NAPPA Gold Award” | NAPPA | |
| 1998 | “Women of Vision Award” | Black Women Lawyers | |
| 1997 | Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award - for the book Neeny Coming Neeny Going | ||
| “UNICEF Greeting Card Award” | UNICEF | ||
| “AT&T Entrepreneur of the Year” | Black Women of Achievement & NAACP Legal Defense Fund | ||
| “Treasure of Los Angeles” | |||
| “YWCA Silver Achievement Award” | YWCA | ||
| 1996 | “Parents Choice Silver Honor” - for the book Sunday |
43rd NAACP Image Awards (2012)
"Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing": Outstanding Literary Work-Instructional category.