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.
MELANA BONTRAGER
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
2021 Alumni Exhibition, Taylor University, Metcalf Gallery, Upland IN
2021 Other People’s Conversations, Two-artist show, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019 deConstructed, Two-artist 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
2021 Tension and Release, Group Show, Walker Fine Art, Denver, CO
2019 Salon Style, Group Show, J.Rinehart Gallery, Seattle, WA
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