About
Judy Lee learned composition from her dad who gave her a Kodak 110 instant camera when she was in middle school. Despite being a struggling immigrant family, he encouraged her to take as many photos as she wanted and paid to have them developed. They would look through the photos together as her dad critiqued each, explaining composition. She finally picked up a DSLR when her first child arrived and transitioned to family portraits over 10 years ago, eventually moving to therapeutic portrait work with women. In 2023, she closed her portrait studio after 5 years in business and shifted to the art world, which started with an invitation to submit her work to the Have You Eaten group exhibition. Visit Judy's Bio for more detailed information.
Exhibitions
Group Exhibition, If I Could Tell You I Would, November 2025, The Fishbowl, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Artists of Color Expo, October 2025, ACES Gallery, Seattle, WA
Solo Exhibition, My Name Story, May 2025. Lucky Envelope Brewing, Seattle, WA
Solo Exhibition, RAW: Redefining Beauty Beyond the Patriarchal Gaze, February-August, 2025. Shunpike Storefronts South Lake Union, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Artists of Color Expo, August 17, 2024, KEXP, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Unwoven: Threads of American Identity, July 2024, The Fishbowl, Seattle, WA
Solo Exhibition, My Name Story, May 2024. Nino Gallery, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Have You Eaten, February 2024. Nino Gallery, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Meryenda, May-June 2023. Kasama, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, Have You Eaten, January-February 2023. Slip Gallery, Seattle, WA
Curatorial Experience
Solo Exhibition, Reflections, July-August 2025, Grey Architecture, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, From the Margins, February 2024, The Fishbowl, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibition, My Name Story, May 2024. Nino Gallery, Seattle, WA
Grants
4Culture Art Projects Grant, 2025-2027
City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund, December 2024 for Guest Curator Program at The Fishbowl
Open 4Culture Heritage Grant, May 2024
Collective Power Fund Artist Development Grant, Warhol Foundation Regional Regifting Program by Northwest Film Forum, June 2023
Publications
Judy Lee, "A Conversation with Marisol Morales," Arcade NW, Fall Edition 2024, No. 3.
Judy Lee, "Carlos Khali in Conversation with Judy Lee," Arcade NW, Summer Edition 2024, No. 2.
Press
My Name Story Solo Exhibition on CGTN America
My Name Story Solo Exhibition on King5 New Day Northwest
From the Margins Curated Exhibition on King5 Northwest
“Nothing we accomplish in life is totally free of the influence of spirit and community. We do nothing alone.”
Tricia Hersey
Community
All programs are part of the collective care mission of weBelong and designed to promote equity of access to opportunities for emerging artists. Details and events for the following programs are posted on the weBelong Instagram account.
Artist Grants Program
This program encourages emerging artists to apply for grants by publicizing accessible grant opportunities and providing grant writing support. Events such as roundtables with previous grant winners, as well as Office Hours, are held multiple times per year. The program is in partnership with The Fishbowl.
Community Calls for Art Round-Up
List of open calls for art are regularly posted on Instagram to encourage emerging artists to apply for more exhibition opportunities. Most calls listed have a low barrier for entry.
Affiliations
Juror, Shunpike Storefronts, December 2025, Seattle, WA
Juror, Chase the Light, Photographic Center Northwest, June 2025, Seattle, WA
Mentor, Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship Program, University of Washington, April 2024-Present, Seattle, WA
Advisory Committee & Mentor, Portraits of Humanity at University of Washington, September 2024-Present, Seattle, WA
Grants & Equity Programs, The Fishbowl, March 2024-Present, Seattle, WA
Grant Selection Committee, Living Artists Collective, January 2024, Seattle, WA
Facilitation & Speaking
Speaker, Finding Growth through Community, Creative Mornings, November 21, 2025. STG Kerry Hall, Seattle, WA
Artist, Artist Talk, Closing Reception, If I Could Tell You I Would, November 21,2025, The Fishbowl.
Artist, Artist Talk, Visualizing Social Justice through Art, UW School of Social Work & Junior League Seattle, April 10, 2025. UW School of Social Work, Seattle, WA
Moderator, Artist Talk, Closing Reception, My Name Story, May 30, 2024. Nino Gallery, Seattle, WA
Moderator, Artist Talk, Have You Eaten, February 29, 2024. Nino Gallery, Seattle, WA
Moderator, Artist Talk, Closing Reception, From the Margins, February 23, 2024, The Fishbowl, Seattle, WA
Speaker, POC Women & Mental Health, Was It a Dream?, May 19, 2023, Slip Gallery, Seattle, WA
Artist, Artist Talk, Have You Eaten, February 23, 2023. Slip Gallery, Seattle, WA