Virmarie DePoyster

Virmarie DePoyster is a Puerto Rican-born multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community leader. As a practicing artist, she explores the complexities of identity. As an educator, she develops therapeutic art programs that provide safe spaces for self-reflection. And as a community leader, she advocates for equality and inclusion. Virmarie secured a solo exhibition, “Revelation,” which debuted at the United States Embassy in Rome, Italy. She was chosen to represent Arkansas in Her Flag, a national project commemorating 100 years of women's suffrage. Her exhibition, "Beyond Labels," first opened in October 2022 at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff. It subsequently traveled to the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum in November 2023 and then opened at the South Arkansas Arts Center in September 2024. In 2025, DePoyster was commissioned by the Clinton Foundation to create a pastel portrait of President Bill Clinton in celebration of his 80th birthday, unveiled in February 2026, and currently on view at the Clinton Presidential Center. DePoyster is the first Puerto Rican-born woman commissioned to paint a portrait of a U.S. President.

DePoyster's paintings are included in private and public collections internationally and throughout the United States. Currently, she lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband, David, and they look forward to visits from their adult children, Grant and Anna.