Cyrus Mejia was born in 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He spent his youth in the South, growing up in a richly cross-cultural household. His mother was from Mississippi; his father was a native of Colombia, South America. Mejia studied painting, drawing and ceramics at Hinds Community College in Mississippi before traveling abroad, spending several years in Europe.
A chance encounter with dogs caged in a London research laboratory turned his sights in a new direction. No longer could Mejia practice his art without incorporating this indelible experience. He says, “I was so shocked and moved by what I saw that I had no choice but to try and help animals in any way that I could.”
His way would incorporate art and, subsequently, much more. In 1984, Mejia and his wife Anne were among a dedicated group of animal-loving friends who founded Best Friends Animal Society. Cyrus Mejia lives and works in Kanab, Utah, home of Best Friends, with his wife and their family of dogs and cats.
Cyrus Mejia’s work continues to reflect his passion for the animals and the Earth, and his message is a cri de coeur for compassion and kindness. His artwork can be found in both private and public collections.

Selected Exhibitions:

The 575 Project Exhibitions:

2008 Sears Art Gallery, Dixie State College, St. George, Utah

2005 Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, Texas

Two California Plaza, Los Angeles, California

2004 San Mateo History Museum, Redwood City, California

James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, Illinois

Russell Senate Office Rotunda, Washington, D.C.

2003 Maricopa County Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona

2002 St. George Art Museum, St. George, Utah

Selected Exhibitions:

2009 Animal Consciousness, University Art Gallery, San Diego State University, San Diego, California

2007 Best Friends Benefit, M.J. Higgins Gallery, Los Angeles, California

ARK, Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah

2004 Annual Group Show, Gallery 24, Torrey, Utah

2003 Group Show, NTWH Gallery, Belfast, Maine

Art and the Environment, Art Access Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah

Annual Group Show, Gallery 24, Torrey, Utah

2002 The Nature of Art, St. George Art Museum, St. George, Utah

2000 Two Red-Rock Artists, Glendinning Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah

1999 Spring Salon, Springville Art Museum, Springville, Utah

The Regional, St. George Art Museum, St. George, Utah

1998 Mejia: Recent Work, Dixie College Gallery, St. George, Utah

1997 Two Red-Rock Artists, Barksdale Gallery, Tucson, Arizona

1996 Mejia: Recent Work, Fetouch Gallery, Denver, Colorado

Honors and Awards:

Grant Recipient, The Culture And Animals Foundation, March 2008

Purchase Award, State of Utah Permanent Collection, September 2000

Invitation 2000 Award, St. George Art Museum, September 2000

Selected Artist, Utah Arts Council Traveling Exhibition: 1997, 1998, 1999

Selected Bibliography:

“Cyrus Mejia, Compassion, Depth, Vision” By Michelle Buckalew “The Animal World” January, 2006

“Help For Best Friends” By John McArdle “Roll Call” May 5, 2005

“Friends In Need” By Shirley Jinkins “Fort Worth Star-Telegram” August 25, 2005

“Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association” (Cover) April 15, 2004

“Silent No Longer” by: Elizabeth Hess” “Best Friends Magazine” November/December 2002

“Butterflies Of Love” By Susan Chappell” “Sun” December 10, 2002

“Art Highlights Plight of Animals” By Joanne Rideout “Deseret News” March 29, 2001