About

Born in Washington, D.C., to a musician/educator and technology professional, Zane Killgo grew up in the D.C. metropolitan area alongside his older brother. His upbringing in diverse neighborhoods throughout the region profoundly shaped his artistic vision and continues to fuel his creative practice today.
 
Zane earned his Bachelor's in Fine Arts from Norfolk State University in May 2021, followed by his Master's in Fine Arts in Visual Studies from the same institution in December 2024. His artistic focus centers on the complex narratives of changing neighborhoods, particularly examining gentrification and disenfranchisement within communities.
 
His work delves into the lived experiences of the African-American community, exploring how structural discrimination and community culture intersect within specific neighborhoods and households. Through his art, Zane captures stories of displacement while centering the perspectives of residents whose voices are often marginalized in discussions about urban development.
 
Zane's artistic practice involves creating vibrant landscapes and cityscapes that reveal the distinctive soul of communities. Drawing from his experiences living throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C., he recreates these environments using a multimedia approach that combines traditional and digital techniques. His toolkit includes acrylic paint, textiles, photography, printmaking, and digital programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Fresco. The result is folk-inspired art characterized by saturated, vibrant hues that bring these community stories to life.
 
Community engagement stands at the heart of Zane's practice. In 2021, he collaborated with Norfolk State University and the City of Norfolk on a community engagement project in Tidewater Gardens. Working directly with residents, he helped conceptualize "Tidewater Together" (2021), a piece addressing neighborhood redevelopment that was later featured in The New York Times Style Magazine in July 2022.
 
His artistic achievements include a second-place award in "Claim to Fame," his first National Juried Show presented by the Arlington Artists Alliance in early 2023. Most recently Zanepartnered with the Langston Boulevard Alliance to secure a $50,000 grant from the Arlington Commission for the Arts for an Arlington Arts Pop-up Gallery launching in February 2026.
 
Through his multifaceted practice, Zane continues to document and celebrate the resilience of communities while advocating for their voices in conversations about urban change and development.