Malaika Ross (she/her) is a Caribbean American visual artist whose work explores the intricate relationship between soil and the botanical world. She creates two-dimensional art inspired by soil microorganisms and the flora of Western Massachusetts.

She earned her B.A. from Hampshire College, where she focused on soil microbiology. Her Div III thesis, The Impact of Solar Arrays on Soil Microbial Activity, reflected her deep interest in the unseen life beneath our feet. In 2019, inspired by the shapes of soil microbes, she shifted from scientific research to visual storytelling, using drawing and painting to express the beauty of these microscopic forms. Over time, her work expanded into botanical painting, capturing both introduced and native plant species with expressive, organic compositions.

Malaika’s connection to nature is rooted in her upbringing on the small island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a child, she spent countless hours outdoors—playing in the soil, walking among tall grasses, feeding goats, and learning about plant-based healing from the women in her family. Her grandmother, a small-scale farmer, cultivated an abundant kitchen garden, where Malaika learned that honoring the land is essential to life. These early experiences continue to shape her artistic vision today.

Curriculum Vita

GRANTS

  • 2024, The Puffin Foundation.

  • 2023, Valley Creates Project Evolution grant. A program of the Community Foundation of Western MA and MASS MoCA.

  • 2023, Mass Cultural Council grant for creative individuals.

  • 2022, Valley Creates Capacity-Building grant. A program of the Community Foundation of Western MA and MASS MoCA.

EXHIBITIONS

  • 2025, UMass Science & Engineering Library, Amherst, MA. The Soil Beneath Us

  • 2024, The Gallery at Hope & Feathers, Framing and Gallery, Northampton, MA. Novel Botanical.

  • 2024, Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield, MA. The Visibility Project.

  • 2024, A.P.E. Split Level Gallery, 33 Hawley St, Northampton, MA. Shadow and Light: An Expression of the Cancer Experience group show (curator and exhibiting artist).

  • 2024, UMass Amherst Design Building Gallery, Amherst, MA. Y3K On Distant Keys group show.

  • 2023, MCLA Gallery 51, North Adams, MA. Reflecting Ecologies: Artists in Nature.

  • 2023, Geissler Gallery, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield, MA. A Different Way to Experience Winter.

  • 2023, Peacock Room, Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, Florence, MA. Contemporary Botanical Paintings, Winter.

  • 2022, ECA Gallery, Easthampton, MA. The Microbes That Saved My Life: A survey of drawings and paintings of soil microbes.

  • 2022, The Gallery at Hope & Feathers, Amherst, MA. Summer to Fall, a collection of 12 botanical paintings.

  • 2022, ECA/MAP Workspace at Eastworks Open Studio / Solo Exhibition, Easthampton, MA

  • 2021, You + Me Gallery, Group Exhibition: Urgent Unity, Unprecedented Healing: Reflections from COVID, Greenfield, MA

  • 2021, Creative People Leading Climate Action, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (The Augusta Savage Gallery, the Arts Extension Service, and partners in Creative Women Leading Climate Action Virtual Symposium co-hosted Creative People Leading Climate Action, a juried digital visual art and multi-disciplinary exhibition.)

TEACHING

  • 2025, Workshop Instructor, Expressive Native Botanical and Seed Drawing and Painting Workshop, UMass Science & Engineering Library, Amherst, MA

  • 2025, Workshop Instructor, Botanical Workshop, The Care Center, Holyoke, MA.

  • 2024, Workshop Instructor, Art Workshop for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers, Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield, MA.

  • 2024, Workshop Facilitator, Shadow and Light Art Workshop for Cancer Survivors, Resilient Community Arts, Easthampton, MA.

  • 2022, Co-facilitator, Smith College New Student Orientation, Northampton, MA.

  • 2022, Workshop Instructor, Watercolor Your Way, Easthampton, MA.

  • 2022, Workshop Instructor, Drawing and Painting, Make-It Springfield, Springfield, MA.

  • 2022, Guest Artist Speaker, Summer Camp, Easthampton, MA.

  • 2022, Guest Artist Speaker, Art Teens, Shelburne Falls, MA.

 RESIDENCIES

  • 2022 Easthampton City Arts, MAP Space Artist Residency, Easthampton, MA

Contact

If you have questions about my artwork or would like to send me a general art related message you reach me via email at malaikaross.studio@gmail.com I’ll be in touch within 48 hours.