Artist Bio
Jayla Trenyce, a Chicago native, is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose practice is anchored in photography, using the medium to explore the intersections of spirituality and identity. With eight years of practice in photography, she has honed her craft through formal fine art education at Northern Illinois University.
Through her practice, Jayla engages in self-interrogation, reflecting on the complexities of Black femme identity formation. Drawing on feminist theory, she challenges societal and media influences that often dictate self-perception. Jayla seeks to own her narrative, visualize, and liberate herself from the external impositions on Black womanhood. This liberation is paradoxical—acknowledging the difficulty of fully escaping external structures while embracing the ongoing journey of resistance. The desire to exist outside limiting frameworks related to gender performance, racial performativity, or cultural expectations—is a central theme of my work
In addition to her photographic practice, Jayla has also served as a Programming and Social Media Assistant at the historic South Side Community Art Center, where she supported Black arts administration and archival preservation.
She has contributed to initiatives such as Belonging in S.T.E.A.M. (2024), which centers authentic representation for BIPOC and other historically underrepresented groups across science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
As the founder of Kindred Noir, a budding creative initiative focused on curating exhibitions and cultivating spaces for emerging Black artists and storytellers, Jayla is committed to using visual language to inspire dialogue and build community. In 2025, she launched the inaugural Black Student Art Exhibition at NIU, following Kindred Noir’s Back-to-School Art Supply Drive & Fundraiser, which elevated emerging Black artists and provided art supplies to Chicago public school students.
Jayla has recently joined High Concept Laboratories as Program Assistant, bringing with her a passion for arts administration rooted in care, cultural advocacy, and intentional storytelling.
ARTIST
CV
Education
Northern Illinois University – DeKalb, IL
Current GPA: 3.9 | Bachelor of Fine Arts
Homewood-Flossmoor High School – Flossmoor, IL
Class of 2021 | GPA: 4.0
Skills
• Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom)
• Photography & Lighting
• Graphic Design
• Mailchimp
• Social Media Management
Awards
2021
• Illinois Northern Regional Art Exhibition, Best in Show
Professional Experience
South Side Community Art Center – Chicago, IL
Programming & Social Media Assistant (2024–2025)
• Curated newsletters with engaging and high-quality content.
• Facilitated key events at SSCAC and in collaboration with other cultural art spaces.
• Managed social media campaigns, leading to a 50% increase in engagement.
Archives & Collections Summer Intern (2024)
• Digitally documented over 500 works in physical archives.
• Operated the front desk, providing services to guests.
Ellwood House Museum – DeKalb, IL
Intern (2023)
• Captured high-quality photography of 3 onsite events for the museum website.
NIU Campus Activities Board – DeKalb, IL Director of Arts & Culture (2023)
• Managed and facilitated 4 school-wide events to promote cultural diversity, increasing attendance by 45%.
• Led and selected a committee of 6 students to assist in programming.
NIU Pink Campus Team – DeKalb, IL Photographer (2022–2023)
•Captured dynamic images of team events, including meetings and community outreach, for official social media platforms.
Curatorial Projects
• 2024: The Records Department – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2024: Kindred Noir Black Student Exhibition – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2023: Faces of Belonging – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2022: Past and Pleasant – Ellwood House Museum
Solo & Group Exhibitions
• 2024: My Mind: The Womb – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2024: Untitled – Jack Arends Art Building
• 2022: Past and Pleasant – Ellwood House Museum
Organizational Leadership
The Black Student Union – Northern Illinois University Vice President (2024)
• Facilitated roundtable discussions for over 30 Black student organizations.
• Created a shared calendar and hosted executive board and general body meetings.
Director of Cultural Awareness (2022–2023)
• Recruited 10% of new members.
• Programmed events promoting diversity and student engagement.