Artist Statement
Mary Powers Holt is a painter whose work is involved with the landscape and inspired by abstract patterns against atmospheric color and light. Her paintings are about a solitary discovery of place in time and how with repeated observation the same view is modified by light and color. Abstract forms and images are generated through perception and imagination. Her primary medium is Acrylic paint on canvas and board.
Artist Biography
Mary Powers Holt exhibits her work with the Cerulean Arts Collective Members Gallery in Philadelphia and has participated in many past exhibits with the Jeffrey Leder Gallery formerly in Long Island City, NY. Her work has been shown in the Alumni Gallery of the PA Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, The Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, The Main Line Art Center in Haverford, PA, Solo at The Rivers Edge Gallery - sponsored by Inliquid at Bridgeton House, the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis, Maryland and in many other venues. Her work is in many private collections.
Mary Powers Holt was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied painting, drawing and Sculpture at the PA Academy of the Fine Arts and Art History at the University of Pennsylvania through the Academy and Penn’s coordinated B.F.A./Certificate program. She also studied foundation design at the University of the Arts. As a student at the PA Academy she was awarded the J. Henry Schiedt Traveling Scholarship for work exhibited in the Student Annual.
Education
1989
The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
BFA
1979 – 1983
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate
1978 – 1979
The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Awards & Honors
2005 – 2006
Honorable Mention, 56th Philadelphia Tri-State Artists Equity Exhibition, American College, Bryn Mawr, PA
2001
Catherine Gibbons Granger Award for Painting, 104th Fellowship Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1983
J. Henry Schiedt Traveling Scholarship, Student Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,
Philadelphia, PA
Bibliography
2005
Donohue, Victoria, “The Wayne Art Center’s Spring Competition Doesn’t Disappoint,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 24, 2005
Affiliations
2019
Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Collective Member
2011 – 2016
Jeffrey Leder Gallery, Long Island City, NY
Professional Experience
2019-Present
Teaching Artist in Adult Painting, University City Arts League, Philadelphia, PA
2021-2023
Artist in Residence, The Fitler Club, Philadelphia, PA
