Omar M. Richardson
Master Printmaker / Multimedia Artist
Tampa, FL
@omarrichardson_arts
“From the first moment I encountered a Conrad Machine Co. press at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2003, I knew there was something special about it. As a young artist exploring printmaking, the Conrad etching press immediately stood out—not just for its craftsmanship, but for the experience it created. Over the years, through undergraduate studies, graduate school, and now teaching at HC Hillsborough College, Conrad Press has remained a constant part of my creative journey.
What always drew me in was the energy of the press itself—especially the iconic oversized wheel. Turning that wheel always felt powerful, almost like stepping into another creative space where tradition, craftsmanship, and expression met together. I’ve worked on many presses throughout my career, but Conrad Press always felt dynamic, dependable, and built for artists who truly love the process of printmaking.
Today, I proudly use three Conrad Presses within the HC Printmaking Division and am currently working toward bringing in a fourth press for our students. These presses have become more than equipment—they are tools that inspire creativity, exploration, and discovery for the next generation of printmakers. From the presses to the brayers, Conrad continues to be a part of how we teach, create, and build a stronger printmaking community.”
– Omar M. Richardson, MFA
Art Instructor, Hillsborough College
Multimedia Artist / Master Printmaker
Bio
Omar Melvin Richardson was born in Nassau, Bahamas, in the culturally rich Bain Town community. His passion for art was sparked and nurtured at
C.R. Walker Secondary School, where he was mentored by his art teacher, Mrs. Ashe, who played a pivotal role in encouraging him to pursue his artistic talent.
Following high school, Richardson attended the University of The Bahamas (formerly the College of The Bahamas), where he concentrated on painting and ceramics. Under the mentorship of esteemed professors Mrs. Maycock- Colebrook and Mrs. Behagg, he was inspired to broaden his horizons and pursue further studies abroad.
He later transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, where he earned a B.F.A. in Painting with a minor in Printmaking. In Fall 2006, Richardson began graduate studies at SCAD’s Atlanta campus, becoming the first M.F.A. Printmaking graduate student in the school’s history. He went on to complete both an M.F.A. in Printmaking and an M.A. in Commercial Photography by 2009.
Driven by a deep interest in interdisciplinary art, he further earned a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta–Decatur in 2013.
Richardson’s work is rooted in themes of identity, culture, and narrative. His practice blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary perspectives, resulting in a body of work that is both dynamic and meaningful. He has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions from 1997 through 2026, building a powerful creative legacy that reflects his Bahamian heritage and global vision.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice explores the complex relationship between cultural identity, personal symbolism, and the emotional landscape of the human experience. At its heart, my work seeks to reflect the raw depth and richness of human emotion—an essential element of the human condition.
Themes of memory, introspection, time, and the resilience of reinvention anchor my creative exploration. I find that blending photography, text, and sound allows me to communicate these ideas with clarity and emotional resonance.
To reflect the multifaceted nature of emotion, I work across a variety of media— layering vibrant color, gestural mark-making, evocative text, and powerful photographic imagery. This interdisciplinary approach offers a dynamic vocabulary to express both the subtle and the intense moments of our shared experience.
Through the layering of these visual and sensory elements, my work becomes a space where beauty, rage, joy, sorrow, and reflection coexist—capturing the full spectrum of what it means to be human, all within a unified visual narrative.
Prints
“Divine beauty”
– 2025
– 24″ x 48″
– Woodblock
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“The Divine”
– 2025
– 24″ x 48″
– Woodblock
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“Divine Belief”
– 2025
– 24″ x 48″
– Woodblock
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“Trinity / Son”
– 2025
– 24″ x 24″
– Woodblock
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“West Street Rooster”
– 2026
– 9″ x 12″
– Linocut
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“Bain-Town Rooster“
– 2026
– 9″ x 12″
– Linocut
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
“Uncut_Story1”
– 2025
– 36″ x 36″
– Woodblock
– Printed on a Conrad 52″ Floor Model Etching Press
– Tampa, FL
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