ABOUT
Mary’s work combines her training and interests in painting/printmaking media and a passion for textiles, sewing methods and surface design. She uses various techniques: Printing, dyeing, painting and stitching. Work is executed with cloth or paper with stitching. The subject of Mary’s art, although frequently abstracted, utilizes universal symbols and icons, is often an outward interpretation of inward spiritual and emotional states. Mary’s work has been shown in dozens of national, regional & local exhibitions. Her writing and artwork has been published in books and nationally published journals. She has been the recipient of several grants, including one from the state of Kansas. In addition, Mary has designed and curated several large artist group collaborative events and exhibits.
Mary enjoyed a career as a K-12 art educator for over twenty years in Blue Valley school district, a large Kansas suburban district. She has also taught at many age levels and facilitated multiple artist workshops. She is an experienced designer of art curriculum. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute. Teaching credentials were earned through Avila University and a Master of Education from Mid-America Nazarene University, both in the Kansas City area.
Mary is an active member of Missouri Fiber Artists Association and the Surface Design Association, in which she served as an area representative for several years. She also has participated in many workshops in textile, fiber and technology from numerous fine teaching artists and authors.
Selected JURIED Exhibitions
2022 Missouri Fiber Artists Book Exhibit, “Contemplations”, Bunker Arts Center, Kansas City, MO
2021 Counterpoints, Central Missouri University Gallery of Art & Design, Warrensburg, MO
2021 Annual Small Works Exhibition, Kansas City Stockyards Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2020 1st Annual Fiber Exhibition, Kansas City Stockyards Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 “Fine Art/Fine Craft: New Work by KC Fiber Group, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2019 “3-Person Juried Show”, with Valerie Bashaw & Becky Stevens, Endres Gallery, Prairie Village, KS
2018 “Reflections of Nature”, Anita Gorman Discovery Conservation Center, Kansas City, MO
2018 “Explorations in Fiber, Tim Murphy Art Gallery, Merriam, KS
2016 “Finding Our Voices”, City Hall Gallery, Lenexa, KS, Group Exhibit
2016 “Transgressing Traditions International Exhibit”, Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn, NY
2015 “Digital Alchemy” Special exhibit at International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX. Juror Jane Dunnewold
2015 “Midwest Metaphors: A Regional Studio Art Quilts Association Exhibit” (SAQA) Showcase”, Leedy-Voulkos Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri
2015 “Studio 7: Coming Home”, Johnson County Public Library (Oak Park), sponsored by Interurban Art House & Art in the Stacks Program, Overland Park, KS
2014 Studio Art Quilt Association online invitational gallery, “Unexpected”, November (www.saqa.com)
2013 National Fiber Directions Exhibition 2013, Wichita Center for the Arts. Wichita, Kansas. Juror: Pauline Verbeek-Cowart
2010 What’s Up: EDGE Exhibiting Members of Kansas Art Quilters Exhibit, Irene B French Art Gallery, Merriam, KS.
2010 Surfacing: Kansas SDA Member Exhibition, The Fiber Studio, Wichita, KS
2010 Human Form Exhibit, Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri
PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2020 Contributing Artist, The HAND Magazine, Issue #30 (November 2020)
2019 Contributing Artist, The HAND Magazine, Issue #24, (April 2019)
2019 Author online article, “Beyond the Surface” SDA 2019 Conference” published by Surface Design Association. Read article here.
2016 Author online article, “How I Build Textile Arts Community in Kansas and Missouri” published by Surface Design Association Read the article here.
2016 Contributing Artist, “Creative Strength Training” by Jane Dunnewold. Published by North Light Books. Order book here.
2015 Publication of “Unheard”, Spoonflower Print on Demand Company, October Blog, Read article here.
2011 Subject of Feature Article, “Artist Portfolio – Mary Elmusa”, written by Rice Freeman-Zachery, Winter 2012 edition of Art Quilting Studio, Stampington Publications, pages 48-57 Read the article here.
2011 SDA Scholarship Award, International Surface Design Association
2010 Contributing Artist, Lark Book’s 500 Art Quilts. Buy the book here.
2005 Review of work published in “Midpoint”, Studio Art Quilts Association (SAQA) Journal, Vol. 15 Summer
2005 Review of work “Phases” published in “Fiber Focus” Studio Art Quilts Association (SAQA) Journal, Vol. 15, Fall, 2005. Read article here.
2005 Awarded “Best of Show” for “Ziggurat” in “Midpoint” a 7-state regional juried fiber exhibit
2004 Fellowship Winner in Craft Media, Kansas Arts Commission Grant, Topeka, Kansas
2002 Regional Scholarship Winner, Arrowmont Craft School, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
2000 Master Teacher Nomination for Blue Valley School District Master Teacher Award
Images are under copyright and not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the artist.