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. It is my goal to represent these beautiful discoveries through my painting.
My current work incorporates structures that are at the same time intriguing and impossible. My intent is to use these structures to explore the experience of community in both urban and rural settings; to consider how they influence each other, and to explore the verbal and non-verbal dialogues that ensue. We live in community. We cannot escape how we affect one another. Our consideration—or lack of consideration—for our fellow human beings makes a difference. While we may not agree with the beliefs of our neighbors, we can affirm the story of every person, recognizing that our value and worth lies not in our beliefs, but our personhood. Just as there is no “right” type of human being, so these shapes are not measured or “correct”. Rather, they embody a beauty despite their imperfections. They invite the viewer to stop and consider, to emotionally interact with and to wonder. My hope is that these works would stimulate conversation about how we relate to one another in our everyday moments.
MELANA BONTRAGER resume
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
2019 deConstructed, Solo (2person) Show, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA
2019 Art of Story, Featured Artist, Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019 Drawn Into Story, Art and Music Collaboration with Moodybear Music, Everett, WA
2018 Everett Art Walk, Solo exhibit, Waxology, Everett, WA
2017 Edmonds Art Walk, Solo exhibit, Ombu, Edmonds, WA
2016 Art and Wine, Wicked Cellars Gallery, Solo show: painting and jazz collaboration with John Carswell, Everett, WA
2012 Art and Wine, Wicked Cellars Gallery, Solo show: multi-discipline art collaboration, Everett, WA
2010 Art, Wine, and Music, Wicked Cellars Gallery, Solo show, Everett, WA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Introductions, Represented Artists Group Show, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA
2018 Holiday Show, Group Show, Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle, WA
2018 Arts Bestowed, Holiday Group Show, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA
2018 Landscape Abstracts, Two artist show, Traumhaus Gallery, Snohomish, WA
2008-2018 Fresh Paint Artist Festival, Juried participant, Everett, WA
2018 Seattle Emerging Arts Fair, Juried Group Show, 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 Artistic Impressions, International publication, World of Interiors magazine, London, UK
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.org
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
2014 Fresh Paint Artist Festival, Featured artist ,Everett, WA
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, Group show, Ballard, WA
2009 Art and Architecture, collaboration with TeamTroy Realty, Group show, Ballard, WA
2008 Art on the Town, Gallery by the Bay, Group show, Bellevue, WA
2007 Art as Home Decor, Bellevue Home Show, Gallery representation exhibition, Bellevue, WA
2007 Spring Show, Gallery by the Bay, Group show, Stanwood, WA
2007 Local Art, Lowell Artworks Gallery, Group show, Lowell, WA
ART COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
2010-2019 H’Arts Auction, Schack Art Center, Art donation/participation, Everett, WA
2016-18 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