Amber Janay Cooper
Amber Janay Cooper (she/they) is a DC-based, Georgia-raised, self-taught Afro-surrealist collage artist who channels Blackness-centered visions of new worlds fed by a healthy collection of vintage magazines and Black print ephemera from the 1960s and 70s to create her work. In 2025, Amber self-published two collections of collage works, Interophilia 001 and Interophilia Issue 002. Amber volunteers in her faith community and views her art practice as another branch of her spirituality.
Website/Portfolio: Art by Amber Janay Cooper
Instagram: @ambers_innerworld
About the Artwork
Amber Janay Cooper's afrosurrealist collage illustrations use water as symbolism for the passage of time as in After Empires Fall; as a symbol for the pressure and weightlessness of freedom as in Juneteenth; and as a symbol for submersion and deep introspection as in Night Swim.
The DC
Arts Center
The DC Arts Center (DCAC) is the only organization in the greater Washington, D.C. area solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in every discipline. By offering physical space, meaningful programming, and coveted resources, we eliminate predominant barriers to entry or reentry, resulting in a future where the arts are inclusive of diverse cultures, people, and narratives.
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, DCAC operates a small arts facility that includes two art galleries, a 41-seat black box theater, and office space. The organization completed a historic full-facility renovation in 2024, marking the first comprehensive overhaul in decades.
Founded in 1989 in response to eroding support for local artists, The DC Arts Center remains deeply committed to artists across the DMV, leveraging its growing national and international reach to elevate and advance local talent.
For more information on all that’s taking place at The DC Arts Center, to become an Artist Member, or to make a tax-deductable donation, please visit: www.dcartscenter.org