Biography

Bran Cherie (b. 1992) is a contemporary painter whose conceptual works explore connection, identity, love, loss, transformation, and the emotional interior of everyday life. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, she uses the butterfly as a recurring visual language through which each body of work examines a different facet of the human experience. Rather than serving as the subject itself, the butterfly functions as a symbolic framework that invites viewers to look beyond the familiar form and engage with the emotional and cultural narratives each painting represents.

Having lived throughout Korea, Italy, Hawaii, and across the continental United States, Cherie's experiences have shaped a nuanced understanding of culture, community, and identity that informs her artistic perspective. Her years of service in the United States Air Force remain one influence among many that continue to shape her evolving practice.

During her undergraduate studies, Cherie founded Mereri Art Collective, an organization that supports her studio practice while expanding access to the arts through exhibitions, workshops, and community-centered creative programming. What began with commissioned paintings in 2016 has evolved into a contemporary practice centered on concept-driven collections and symbolic storytelling.

Now based in Virginia, Cherie is pursuing studies in Visual Arts at Northern Virginia Community College as she prepares for Master of Fine Arts applications. Her work has been exhibited throughout California, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and she continues to develop bodies of work that invite viewers to reconsider familiar symbols through the lens of shared human experience.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Maryland Global Campus

Visual Arts (in progress)
Northern Virginia Community College
Preparing for Master of Fine Arts applications

Professional Experience

Founder & Lead Artist

Mereri Art Collective | 2017–Present

• Established an art and design company focused on fine art, community-centered creative programming, product development, and experiential events

Community Engagement & Curated Events

• Curated Paint Party, Solera African American Culture Club, California, 2026

• Paint Workshop, Showy LLC, Maryland, 2026.

• Community Art Workshop, Tysons Teammates in partnership with Fairfax County, Virginia. 2026

• Curated Paint Party, Legacy Gallery, District of Columbia. 2024

• Curated Paint Party, DC International School, District of Columbia. 2024

• Private Paint Workshop, Virginia. 2023

• Private Paint Workshop, Hawaii. 2019

• Workshop Facilitator, Women’s Diversity Council, Italy. 2014

Public Art

• Untitled (Private Mural) Italy, 2016

  Acrylic on wall, site-specific installation

Exhibitions & Showcases

• Group Exhibition, Sost Café in partnership with Art Activated Productions, Washington, D.C.

• Group Exhibition, Republic Restoratives Distillery, Washington, D.C.

• Group Exhibition, Solo Visual Artist, Mosaic Visions – Spirit of Humanity Showcase in partnership with Eaton DC, Washington, D.C.

• Group Exhibition, National Reconnaissance Office, selected from 100+ submissions for Principal Deputy Director’s Office, Virginia

• Group Exhibition, Black Girl Art Show, Washington, D.C.

• Solo Exhibition, Hickam Art Gallery, Hawaii