Alonzo Adams was born in Harlem in 1961. He spent many hours as a young child drawing. His mother recalls him spending a special day in the city with his father to go shopping. Alonzo's father told him he could buy whatever he wanted. His mother expected him to get some school clothes and shoes or sneakers or something and was quite surprised to see him return with a big smile and only a pack of white paper to draw on.
Alonzo continued drawing and went on to receive a B.F.A. from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and later, with a Camille O. Cosby Fellowship, an M.F.A. from University of Pennsylvania. He is inspired by such greats as Charles White, Henry O. Tanner, L'hermitte, John Singer Sargent and Rembrandt and has traveled throughout Europe to study the work in museums there.
With over 25 years as a professional artist, Alonzo has garnered numerous awards and accolades. He has been featured in such publications as Art Business News, Black Enterprise, Images, Homes of Color, Upscale, Uptown and ESPN Magazines as well as the New York Times, Star Ledger, Courier News and other regional newspapers.
Alonzo's work has been featured in the "Black Romance" exhibit at the Studio Museum of Harlem. In 2003, three of his original oils were auctioned at Sotheby's with a phenomenal response. A portion of the proceed benefited the New York based Strang Breast Cancer Research Center.
Alonzo was one of the first inductees into the Rutgers African American Alumnae Association Hall of Fame, established in 2004. He presently serves on he board of Plainfield, NJ based duCret School of Art.
Alonzo has been blessed to have many prominent collectors adorn their homes with his work. Among them, Dr. William H. Cosby, Dr. Maya Angelou, Alonzo & Tracy Mourning, Zeke Mowatt, Jasmine Guy, Dikembe Mutombo, Patrick Ewing, Clinton Portis, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant, Stephon Marbury, Gary Payton, Lela Rochon, Andre Harrell, Kenny Lattimore, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Chris Carter, Eddie Jordan, Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jayson Williams, Steve Harris, Wesley Snipes, Patti Webster, Earl Graves, Curtis Martin, Charles Oakley, Walter & Donna Pearson and many more. He has been commissioned to create a number of portraits and other images of personal significance to some of his special collectors.
Alonzo's mentoring activities range from inspirational talks with youngsters in the community to working with aspiring and emerging artists to help them find their own artistic voices and reach potential collectors. His wife Cydnie coaches them on the business aspects of selling their work.