Amarilis Rosario-Tillema

Amarilis is a Las Vegas–based artist currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a concentration in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking. She is on track to graduate in Spring 2026.

Born in New York City in 1975, Amarilis’ Puerto Rican heritage and upbringing deeply shaped her perspective. Growing up in a conservative household with clearly defined expectations of domesticity, she developed a lifelong drive to navigate and push beyond those boundaries.

In her late teens, she began her creative journey through dance, immersing herself in Middle Eastern performance traditions. She later founded a dance academy, where Raks Sharqi became both a personal practice and a lens through which she explored the power and resilience of women. Over two decades, Amarilis cultivated a vibrant community of like-minded dancers, eventually expanding her work into directing and producing large-scale Las Vegas showcases featuring international performers.

As she stepped back from the dance world, Amarilis turned to hair design, opening her own boutique salon studio. Her space became a safe haven for clients from all walks of life, where she specialized in bold, eclectic, and modern styles that celebrated individuality and self-expression.

In 2018, her life took another turn when her husband was diagnosed with leukemia. During this difficult time, Amarilis found healing and renewal through visual art. What began with watercolors soon expanded into graphite, charcoal, and pastels—art became both therapy and a calling. Alongside this personal transformation, she worked with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a fundraiser manager, playing a pivotal role in raising over $1 million locally with the support of students and community partners.

Returning to her academic journey, Amarilis completed her Associate of Arts degree in 2024 at the College of Southern Nevada before continuing at UNLV with a clear vision and purpose.

Today, Amarilis’ work centers on women throughout history—their stories, struggles, traumas, resilience, and fight for autonomy. As a multimedia artist, she primarily works in oil painting and sculpture, weaving narratives that honor the strength and complexity of women’s experiences.