An eclectic mix of interests, influences and experiences is at the heart of Claudette Roper’s artistry. Her family’s involvement with the Civil Rights Movement ignited her quest for social justice. A voracious appetite for literature and history was nurtured as a young girl, while curiosity concerning the media led to a successful career in corporate communications and media production working with an impressive list of power brokers.

Roper’s love affair with the arts started in childhood. Throughout her life, she wrote poetry and prose, painted and sketched, designed clothing and accessories. However, art was not a formal pursuit until she started graduate school in 2003.

The interdisciplinary artist combines familiar mediums with new methods of expression to focus on issues related to social justice and humanity. She often uses layers of compelling text, imaginative images and textiles in her work to create discourse. Roper has performed original works at Links Hall, 3030 and One Sixty Blue. Her videos and multimedia installations have been featured at the Book & Paper Gallery, Hokin Gallery and Columbia College Chicago.

A recipient of the prestigious 2006 Albert P. Weisman Award, Roper has a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television and Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media from Columbia College Chicago. The Chicago native is also an adjunct professor at her alma mater.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Claudette Roper has over two decades of expertise in corporate communications and media production. She has provided services for: Sara Lee Corporation, Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage, Chicago Urban League, YMCA, National Association of Minority Media Executives, Miss USA Pageant, Black Entertainment Television, National Black MBA Association, City of New York and the White House during President Clinton’s administration. Projects run the gamut from television productions, public relations campaigns, media training, special events, philanthropic strategies and educational endeavors.

Roper began her career in media working in a variety of positions for Multimedia Entertainment Productions. Through that association she worked on NBC’s TODAY SHOW and ABC’s THE LAST WORD with talk show veteran, Phil Donahue, followed by a stint on the Emmy Award winning show, DONAHUE. In 1987, Carsey-Werner Company offered Roper the position of Director of Public Relations for their groundbreaking NBC series, THE COSBY SHOW. In 1992, Roper joined the nationally syndicated game show YOU BET YOUR LIFE starring Bill Cosby as the Director of Press and Affiliate Relations Operations.

During one of the most poignant appointments of her career, she served as a key member of the team that produced the historic Yankee Stadium event to welcome the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, to America in 1990.

Roper has served on several boards and remains actively involved with a number of organizations and causes.