From Woman XVII... Created by Women, of Women and About Women
Curated by Mary Urbas
February 12 - March 24, 2024
lakelandcc.edu/gallery
lakelandcc.edu/arts
This year marks the 17th installment of the popular exhibition, boasting female artists from Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Indiana and Washington. They are all exhibiting pieces that represent a diverse variety of media, including oil and acrylic painting, drawing, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, assemblage, jewelry, photography and mixed media.
The Gallery at Lakeland presents several art exhibitions each year. Highlights include the annual "from Woman…" exhibition, which is the largest exhibition of women artists in the region; the May Show Juried Art Exhibition; and the crowd pleasing, pop culture related exhibition, The Skull and Skeleton in Art. These exhibitions support and advance recognition of Lakeland's fine arts academic programs; diversity efforts at the college; community arts groups; and local, regional and national artists.
All gallery shows are free and open to the public. All are welcome to enjoy the artwork in the Gallery at Lakeland. Please note that there may be some artwork that is not suitable for children.
Mary Urbas has been the gallery coordinator, exhibition curator, and installation designer for The Gallery at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland since 2005. During this time, she has installed numerous exhibitions and has created the highly successful "May Show at Lakeland Juried Art Exhibition" featuring local and regional artists and "from WOMAN. Created by women, of women & about women" show that celebrates Women's History Month every March.
Mary Urbas has 40 years of experience in the professional art world as a gallery owner, curator, teacher, consultant, and award-winning exhibiting fiber artist. Mary received her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a major in Textile Design and Silk Screen Printing, with minors in Weaving and Printmaking. She was the gallery manager and shipping/receiving manager at Sylvia Ullman's American Crafts Gallery in Cleveland for over 17 years. During this time, Mary showed her silkscreened wearables, wall hangings and fabrics in juried exhibitions and art fairs throughout Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, receiving many honors including several Best in Crafts awards. She opened her own gallery in 1997, called The Gallery in Chagrin Falls, which featured contemporary Fine Art and Fine Crafts. She became the gallery curator and assistant director at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls in 2001, and taught classes to adults and summer art camps for children, before becoming the gallery coordinator and exhibition curator at Lakeland Community College. Mary has also served as a juror and prize judge for local and regional juried art competitions and outdoor art fairs, and sits on the board of local nonprofits.
During the summer months when Mary isn't knee deep in her garden or rose beds you'll find her scoping out the local and regional art fairs looking for artists for future exhibitions. As an exhibited fiber artist, she is able to bring a real-world perspective to both sides of the business of marketing fine art.