Emma Presley is a Chinese-American transracial adoptee currently making work in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. With a background in sculpture and ceramics, she creates multi-disciplinary work including zines, radio shows, works on paper, shrines, and jewelry.

While her medium is ever changing, Presley focuses on calligraphy, collage, and poetry. She interprets traditional Asian aesthetics with the honesty of being raised in the American South — she finds a certain humor and sincerity in learning about her Eastern heritage through a Western lens.

Presley is the curator, editor, and publisher of MOONSTRUCK, a community zine dedicated to representing Asian creatives in the American South. Volume 1 was published in September 2024, and Volume 2 is expected October 2025. Each volume features in-depth interviews with Asian creatives and full color curated submissions of drawing, painting, photography, poetry, and more!

EDUCATION

2021 - BS Civil Engineering
Honors College Fellow
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

2020 - BA Studio Art
Governor’s Distinguished Scholar
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

EXHIBITIONS

2025 - Inaugural City Hall Public Art Gallery
iCREATE Public Art Program
Group Show
City Hall, Little Rock, AR

2025 - Made in Color: A BIPOC Zine Fair
Group Show
Caldero Collective Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2025 - Lunar New Year
Curator, Group Show
Caldero Collective Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2018 - Deconstructing Art
Group Show
University of Arkansas Honors College, Fayetteville, AR

Please send all inquiries to emma.kpresley@gmail.com