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Mary Ablao Exhibition: “Small but Mighty”

Small but Mighty by Mary Ablao
Exhibition and Opening Reception June 8, 2017

Meet Mary
Born in Seattle, Wash., Mary spent summers on the West Coast for years and gave way to a living sense that life is an adventure. She was raised in a large family by peace-activist parents in Grand Rapids, Mich. in the commune setting of 1970’s hippie culture.

From a very young age, Mary’s days consisted of joyfully learning to make everything from sand candles to soaps as well as exploring painting and other creative skills. These experiences led her to major in art and psychology at Michigan State University where she graduated with her B.A.

She later studied art abroad in London, England and began working at a rehabilitation center teaching art to people with disabilities. This led Mary to broaden her education and earn her Master’s Degree from the prestigious Pratt Art Institute in New York, allowing her to become a registered art therapist.

Mary is a mixed-media abstract expressionist impressionist, who creates and explores living in the moment. Ever enthusiastic and joyful, she draws her artistic inspiration from nature, personal relationships and following her gift of intuition.

She believes passionately in the transformative power of art. For her, “Art is the ultimate expression of being.” Mary’s mission is to share her love for the healing power and beauty of art with as many people as possible, young and old alike, thus spreading the joy of experiencing art to her community. Her greatest wish is to encourage and inspire creativity in others so that they may enhance the quality of their lives and the lives of those around them.

Mary’s work has been exhibited in the White House Christmas Exhibit, during the Clinton administration, Flint Art Museum, University of Michigan’s Gifts of Arts Exhibit, Petosky Art Show,  Alpena Art Show, Michigan Historical Museum, Design 309, Michigan Women’s Historical Museum,  Lansing Art Gallery and at various art venues in Saugatuck, Holland and Muskegon, Mich. Her work can also be found in private collections in Michigan, Washington, Colorado,  Chicago and Washington D.C.

Artist Statement
The Small but Mighty Exhibition was born from a contemporary place as a response to the shift of space and perceived reality during the 2016 Election. One moment was charging forward as a probability to an instantaneous metamorphous change to another surprise outcome.Mary’s recent art is characterized as simple yet layered in images that change right before your eyes. Her work is magical, mystical, metaphysical, deeply in the moment and moves to  the next moment in time to a new context. This sense of dark drama and glimmers of hope through discovery is displayed in a way that involves you, the viewer, and takes your breath away.