Bio: Whitney Tates (b. 1990) is a professional artist living and working in Shreveport, LA. They received a B.A. in Studio Art from Centenary College of Louisiana in 2013. They are muralist and fine artist with work displayed across Louisiana and Texas. They are a recipient of several artist grants, notably, the National Performance Network’s Take Notice Fund (2021) and the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan (2022). Artist Statement: When asked to describe my work, my response is typically, “surreal and compelling.” I want people to see what I see when I look at the world. The subjects of my paintings bloom from my experiences with dissociation and derealization, common symptoms of anxiety and depression. Often, because I feel so removed from reality, my artwork has become the best way for me to communicate. It’s an expression of the relationship between myself and the worlds I find myself in. I channel these feelings through the paintbrush because words so often fall short. I approach my work as a series of conversations between myself and the canvas, and ultimately the viewer, usually working and talking through several pieces at a time. Within my work there is a sense of longing, escapism, and universality. I create to heal and to expose the beauty that grows from a neurotic mind. My hope is that others can sense that and use my work as a tool for their own journeys.