Mary Ellen Strack

2517 Soleil Ave, Springfield IL 62704, 217-622-7903, m.strack@comcast.net

Currently

I am an artist member & former president of The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, (member since 2015.) Member of SAA Collective Gallery, Springfield IL; & Magdalina Gallery in Carmel IN. Retired Art Teacher from Williamsville HS, 2015. I was a board member of the Springfield Art Association, 2016-2020; board member for the SAA,Collective Art Gallery 2016-2021; Chairperson for DWTS, Dancing with the Starz, SAA Collective silent auction fundraiser; member artist of the SAA Collective Art Gallery. Volunteer artist, for the Illinois State Military Museum, where I have 4 murals, the Camp Lincoln, for the Spanish American War, will be a permanent mural. My art was featured on Meural a world-wide digital format company. My web site is maryellenstrack.com

Education

· Indiana University, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN., Master of Art Education, August 31, 1979

· Indiana University, Indianapolis, Bachelor of Art Education May 15, 1977

Teaching in Illinois

1989-2015 Art Teacher Williamsville HS, Williamsville, IL

Being the only high school art teacher at a small high school of 450 students, I was able to create a new curriculum which allows for greater depth of studies in a chosen medium. All art students were required to take Intro to Art 1&2 where they were exposed to many mediums. Then they were able to choose classes they were interested in.

Intro to Art 1&2, Drawing 1&2, Painting Acrylics, Watercolor, Ceramics 1&2, Black and White Photography, Commercial Design, Computer Art, Computer Design, Digital Photography, Advanced Drawing and Painting, Independent Art, AP Art, Yearbook.

· 1989-2022 Board member of Scholastic Art and Writing

· TICA 2007& 2008 Teachers In Contemporary Art, a week long workshop at Art Institute of Chicago

· 1991-2001 Chairperson of Scholastic Art and Writing

· 1991& 1994 SCAD Savanah College of Art and Design; week long workshop for high school art teachers

· 1989-1998 Yearbook Director

Teaching in Indiana

1971 Teacher; children’s art classes at home

1974 Teacher; Herron School of Art, Saturday gifted HS Art classes

1973 Teacher - Indianapolis Southside Art league

1975 Teacher – Indianapolis Museum of Art Summer School Classes Grades 4-6

1977-1981 Art Teacher K- 8 Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Public Schools and Franklin Township K-5

Teaching in Illinois

1983 – 1989 Art Teacher Springfield Art Association, Springfield IL

· Developed the first preschool art classes

· Adult Open Studio

· High School Art

1989 – 1994 Teacher Williamsville Junior HS and Williamsville HS

1994-2015 Teacher Williamsville HS

Awards & Recognition

2024 Artist Magazine; AcrylicWorks 11: The Best of Acrylic; Finalist Exhibit; Fall 2024 publication, Sunrise Mountain # 3, 36x36x2, Acrylic on canvas

. 2023 Artist Magazine; AcrylicWorks 10: The Best of Acrylic; Finalist Exhibit; Fall 2023 publication, Midnight Garden, 36x48x2, Acrylic on wood panel.

. 2022 Scenic 2022, International Online Group Exhibition 8/1-8/30 2022

· 2022 Artist Magazine; AcrylicWorks 9: The Best of Acrylic; Finalist Exhibit; 8/2022 publication Cloud Surfer, Good Things Are About to Happen

· 2021 Cedarhurst Biennial Competition Exhibit ; Good Things Are Coming* ( same painting as AW9 finalist)

· 2019 Art Spectacular, Thomas Reese Carillon, 2nd Pl Painting

· 2018 Chatham Library, Chatham, IL. Costal Energy 36x36x2 acrylic painting, Recognition Award

· 2013 Illinois State Fair Invitational, 2nd Pl Painting

· 2011 Civic Purchase Award Springfield Old Capital Art Fair

· 2008 Art Spectacular, Thomas Reese Carillon, Award of Merit

· 2007& 2008 TICA Teachers In Contemporary Art, Art Institute of Chicago

· 2004 IEA- Purchase Award, Pastel, “Lincoln Memorial Gardens”

· 2002 IEA- Purchase Award, Pastel, “The Tenth at Piper Glenn”

· 2001 IEA -Purchase Award, Oil Painting, “Snaps In The Garden”

· 2000 IEA- Purchase Award, Pastel, “The Ninth at Illini”

· (IEA) Illinois Education Association, This is an art competition open to all art educators from K through college.

· 1994 Springfield Art Association Purchase Award, Pastel, “Garden by the Cottage

· 1993 TRS- Purchase Award, Pastel, “The Garden

Galleries and Exhibits

. The Chatham Library solo exhibit, June 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024

· The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, All quarterly shows 2015-2024

· The SAA Collective Gallery, All member shows 2016-2024

· Magdalena Gallery, Carmel In 2019- present

· Prairie Art Alliance Gallery member 1985-2016

· Chatham Library, Chatham, IL. 2022, 2021,2020 2019,2018

2021 Illinois State Military Museum, WW2 Mural

· 2020 Illinois State Military Museum, Civil War Mural

· 2018 Illinois State Military Museum, Spanish American War , Permanent Mural

· 2017 Illinois State Military Museum, WW1, Mural

· Art Spectacular, Thomas Reese Carillon 2019, 2018,2014-2006

· David Strawn Art Gallery, Jacksonville IL September, 2017,

· Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Spfld. IL. 2016, 2017

· Broad Ripple Art Fair 2002

· Cantigny Art Festival, Wheaton IL 2003

· Carmel International Art Fair 2004, 2005, 2006

· H.D. Smith Gallery, Featured Artist 2017, 2014

· Illinois State Fair Invitational, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2021

· Indiana Salon Invitational, Indianapolis IN 1977

· March 2017 Featured Artist at SAA Collective Gallery

· Woman’s Art Alliance/Prairie Art Alliance/SAA Collective 1983-Present

· Penrod Art Fair, Indianapolis IN, 1995, thru 2004

· Peoria Art Fair, Peoria IL, 1997

· 2005 - 2003Artist Runway.com

· Indianapolis Museum of Art, Alliance Art Gallery 1980 -2002

· Masterpiece Gallery Indianapolis IN, 2002-2003

· Macy’s Furniture Gallery , Springfield Il 2010,2011

· Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, Springfield IL., 1993-2012

Juried Art Fairs