mbontrager art

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mbontrager art

mbontrager artmbontrager artmbontrager art
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Artist Statement/Bio

 

MELANA BONTRAGER

 

Artist Statement


I believe everyone has a story to tell. Our stories are comprised of families, conflicts, acquaintances, friendships, loves, and loss. Within our stories, individual experiences can sometimes feel fragmented, out-of-place, useless, or random at best.  And yet, we find ourselves able to connect to the stories of others because we identify with the disjointed spaces revealed through honest vulnerability. There  is often a captivating beauty that grows from these fragmented places; what once felt pointless, can begin to hold meaning.  As we listen to each other’s stories, we discover connections, hope, and a reminder that we don’t traverse this life alone.  These are the themes I explore in my painting.


Artist Bio


Melana Bontrager is originally from the Pacific Northwest, but has additionally lived both in the Midwest and on the East Coast.  She obtained a BA in Studio Arts and Psychology from Taylor University in Indiana, and a MA in Creative Art Therapy from Hofstra University in New York.  She is drawn to communities in which art and life intersect in rich discussion; inspiring her to explore emotions, thoughts and conflict through the use of ink or graphite line and acrylic color.  Melana currently lives in Everett, Washington with her husband and four children.  She is currently represented by J.Rinehart Gallery in Seattle and Walker Fine Art in Denver.




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MELANA BONTRAGER 


Everett, WA 

mbontragerart@gmail.com

425.315.5339 

IG: @mbontragerart

EDUCATION
 

Spring 1999     MA – Creative Arts Therapy,
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
 

Spring 1997     BFA – Art/Psychology,
Taylor University, Upland, IN
 

Spring 1996     Photography/Painting/Drawing,
Studio Art Centers International, Florence, Italy      
 

SOLO/FEATURED EXHIBITIONS

2022 Modus Operandi, Walker Fine Art, Denver, CO

2021 Tension and Release, Walker Fine Art, Denver, CO  

2021 Other People’s Conversations, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA

2019 DeConstructed, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA

2019  Art of Story, Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle, WA

2019  Drawn Into Story, Art and Music Collaboration with Moodybear Music, Everett, WA

2018 Landscape Abstracts, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA

2016  Art and Wine, Wicked Cellars Gallery, Painting and Jazz Collaboration Event, Everett, WA
2014  Fresh Paint Artist Festival, Featured artist, Everett, WA
 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023 Storefronts, Amazon Campus, Seattle, WA

2021  Juried Alumni Exhibition, Taylor University, Upland, IN 

2019 Salon Style, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA

2019   Introductions, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA

2018  Holiday Show, Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle, WA

2018 Arts Bestowed, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA

2008-2018 Fresh Paint Artist Festival, Juried participant, Everett, WA

2018 Seattle Emerging Arts Fair, Seattle Art Post, Seattle, WA

2018  Bellevue Art Museum Arts Festival, Bellevue, WA
2018  Make Your Mark, Summer National Juried Exhibition, Marin MOCA, Novato, CA
2018  Visual Impressions, Juried group show, Ryan James Fine Arts, Kirkland, WA
2017  4th Annual Living Mark Exhibition, ​Juried group show, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR
2017  Emerald Spring Exhibition, Juried group show, Emerald Art Center, Springfield, OR
2017  WAOW Spring Online Exhibit, Juried group show, WAOW

2016  20th Juried Show, Schack Art Center, Juried group show, Everett, WA
2015   Microcosmos, Gallery 621, Juried group show, Benicia, CA
2015  Juried Alumni Exhibition, Taylor University, Juried group show, Upland, IN
2013  17th Juried Show, Schack Art Center, Juried group show, Everett, WA
2011   16th Juried Show, Schack Art Center, Juried group show, Everett, WA
2010   Pacific Northwest Abstract Show, Gallery by the Bay, Group show, Stanwood, WA
2009  Art and Furniture Show, White Sage Studio, Ballard, WA
2009  Art and Architecture, collaboration with TeamTroy Realty, Ballard, WA
2008   Art on the Town, Gallery by the Bay, Bellevue, WA
2007   Spring Show, Gallery by the Bay, Stanwood, WA
2007   Local Art, Lowell Artworks Gallery, Lowell, WA
 

ART COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

2023 Lead Set Painter, The Sound of Music, Providence Classical Christian School, Bothell, WA
2022 Lead Set Painter, Beauty and the Beast, Providence Classical Christian School, Bothell, WA

2010-2023  H’Arts Auction, Schack Art Center, Art donation/participation, Everett, WA 

2016-2020  Pints and Pumpkins,​ Schack Art Center, ​Commissioned Art pieces, ​Everett, WA 

2017  Theater Set Design, Commissioned Painted Set, The Dance School, Everett, WA
2016-17  Reflections--Port Gardner Art Competition, Chair, Everett, WA 

2016  Reflections--Everett School District Competition, Juror, Everett, WA
​2016  WAOW--Women Artists of the West, Associate member
2015  Reflections—PTSA Mukilteo Art Competition, Juror, Mukilteo, WA
2014  Scholastic Art Awards, Juror, Snohomish Co, WA               
2013  Schack Art Center, Grant, 2014 art festival poster, Everett, WA
2013  Street Tunes, Commissioned public art piece, Everett, WA
2013  Washington State Art Educators Conference, Presenter, Des Moines, WA
2011  City of Everett Art Collaboration, Commissioned City mural project, Everett, WA


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