Dona Laurita has been a professional photographer for over thirty years, specializing in documentary work, deeply meaningful fine art projects, and teaching residencies.  Since gaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado, she has channeled her passion for art, community, and education into her practice.  From running her community-driven space to projects that work one-on-one with marginalized populations and topics, she harnesses the power of photography to inspire and activate change.

Her current focus is on “The Silhouette Project”, which shares the stories of under-served and vulnerable young refugee populations. Laurita’s unique use of this backlit technique captures the essence of the subject while providing the anonymity that makes it safe for these Newcomers to express themselves.

Other endeavors include her multi-media presentation titled “The Thin Veil,” a collection of ethereal images exploring “the thin veil” between life and death and the emotions that often follow a shattering event such as the death of someone we love. 

Creating bridges between art and the community, she has spent years developing an outreach approach in which workshops blend photography, visual art, creative writing, and storytelling.  Dona has inspired countless youth in Colorado schools, hospitals, summer camps, and after-school programs.  Her unique methodology fosters experiential learning and encourages students to express their impressions intuition, and imagination through various media.  Her indomitable spirit is ever-present in her work as an artist and human.

Dona’s extensive portfolio includes having been the exclusive photographer during a Colorado visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and collaborating with Boulder Sister Cities on projects involving Lhasa, Tibet, and Jalapa, Nicaragua. She has exhibited across Colorado and has been the recipient of a National Endowment of the Arts grant among other smaller awards.  She extends her impact through fine-art documentary work, serving as an artist-in-residence in schools, Creative Aging programs, Children’s Hospital, the District Attorney’s Office Restitution Program, and other settings where her work can be most effective and beneficial.