ABOUT

I am a dreamer. I am a believer. I am more than an artist.

Without creativity I am not sure how we could function in this world. There is a creator inside of each and every one of us and creation is what keeps us alive. I personally cannot live without being able to create SOMETHING!

My name is Clifford McDonald, and I am a local artist in Sarasota Florida. I'm also the founder of Art 4 Change Inc, a non-profit organization that focuses on creating change through art, information, advocacy, and service.

I began taking art serious when I joined the Visual Performing Arts program at Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. Art had always been my thing and when I was much younger I dreamed of becoming a student at Ringling College of Art & Design. However, when I started playing Basketball all of my focus shifted towards the game I had fallen in love with and I chose to go to college for sports instead. I still studied art while in school, but basketball became my passion. After I graduated college I played one season of professional ball in South America and continued to pursue a career as a pro years after.

I had gone at least five years without creating any art at all. In 2015, that all changed when I began collaborating on projects with spoken word artist, Cedric Hameed. Hameed and the children we were working with played a major role in me reconnecting with my passion for art. I have been making art ever since, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. My goal is to use my gift to create positive social change in my community and in our world.

EXHIBITIONS

2026 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "ICONS," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2026 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "ROOTED IN COMMUNITY," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2026 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "ANNUAL MEMBERS JURIED SHOW," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2025 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "SELF PORTRAIT," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2025 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "VICE & VIRTUE," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2025 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "EPOCH OF CHANGE: FOOTPRINTS OF HUMANITY." SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2025 - WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE, "VISIBLE ART GROWS HEARTS." SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA
2025 - LEXO GALLERY, "CULTURE. PEOPLE. PLACES.," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA (SOLO EXHIBIT)
2023 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "SOUNDTRACK," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA (SOLO EXHIBIT)
2023 - ART OVATION HOTEL, "WHAT A COLORFUL WORLD," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA (SOLO EXHIBIT)
2023 - SUNCOAST BLACK ARTS COLLABORATIVE, "VISIONS IN BLACK" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2023 - ART 4 CHANGE/SPAACES, "LOVE ART LOVE PEOPLE" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2023 - "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2022 - SUNCOAST BLACK ARTS COLLABORATIVE, "VISIONS IN BLACK" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2022 - MIZE GALLERY, "DECADES," ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, USA.
2022 - "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2021 - "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2020 - "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2019 - "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES," SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2019 - ART CENTER SARASOTA, "OPEN SEASON" SARASOTA, FLORIDA. USA.
2019 - SHINE STUDIO, "VISIBLE" SARASOTA, FLORIDA. USA.

AWARDS/HONORS

2026 - CENTENNIAL HONOREE. ART CENTER SARASOTA,
2025 - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD. ART CENTER SARASOTA, "EPOCH OF CHANGE: FOOTPRINTS OF HUMANITY." SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2025 - FELLOWSHIP AWARD. HALO ARTS PROJECT
2025 - BEST VISUAL ARTIST (BRONZE). SARASOTA MAGAZINE
2023 - FELLOWSHIP AWARD. HALO ARTS PROJECT
2022 - 1ST PLACE. SUNCOAST BLACK ARTS COLLABORATIVE, "VISIONS IN BLACK" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2020 - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD. "EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.
2019 - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD. ART CENTER SARASOTA, "OPEN SEASON" SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA.