Artist Bio
Lily Formato (B. 2000) is a Southern expressionist artist from Wytheville, Virginia. All her life, Lily's language has been through the lens of visual art since she was a child. After graduating high school and returning to her hometown of around eight thousand people, she opened a fine arts gallery and community space, Formato Fine Arts. Through her gallery, she focused on her Appalachian art-making practice by teaching art lessons and building a small studio in the gallery space. Lily's art and her community come hand-in-hand, where she would host events such as drag shows, visiting artist shows, ballroom dance lessons, and art classes. Lily's passion for creating an inclusive space for all to enjoy has given her so much joy. Living in the SW Virginia area, she participated in multiple art shows in her area where she sold her original works and gained name recognition from Virginia Living Magazine and The Roanoke Times. Lily graduated with an associate degree from Wytheville Community College.