Orchidee Vanille

Acrylic, Prismacolor on Canvas

36” x 24” x 1.5”

Joanna Drakos  is an artist living and working in Reno, Nevada. On January 5, 2026, the City of Reno announced Joanna Drakos as Reno City Artist for 2026. Drakos was appointed by The Reno Arts and Culture Advisory Board and will serve from January to December 2026. During her tenure as city artist, she will present a City Artist solo show from June 29^th to August 21, 2026, at the Metro Gallery on the first floor of Reno City Hall. The exhibition will feature her iconic non-representational abstract work.

Joanna graduated in 1991 from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in fine art. After college, she worked for non-profit, performing and visual arts organizations in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2000, she earned an associate degree in Advertising and Graphic Design and pursued a decade long career in publishing -- art directing and designing magazines for Conde Nast and Gannett Corporation. Since 2020, she has conducted a full-time, professional art practice, specializing in abstract painting.

Joanna is a three-time Nevada Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist Grant recipient; having been awarded project grants in 2022, 2023, and 2025. 

Joanna is the founder of Downtown Modernists, a private, Northern Nevada artist group comprised of artists working in non-representational abstract styles. The group hosts salons and organizes group shows for members. 

Since 2020, Joanna has participated in numerous group shows, been a featured artist in regional galleries and had solo exhibitions in the Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe region. 

A curated selection of her paintings are represented exclusively in the Carson City area by Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, LLC. To view the art in person, you may visit the gallery at 405 North Nevada Street, Carson City, Nevada, during regular business hours.

https://joannadrakos.com/