September 2022
I am very happy to announce that I will have a solo exhibition Material Transformation: Michele Colburn at the International Peace Museum in Dayton, Ohio opening September 30 through October 22, 2022
Spring 2022
The Washington Project for the Arts Auction and Collectors' Night
I will be participating in The Washington Project for the Arts Annual Auction. Pyroclastic Surge was jury selected for their fundraising event and has also been chosen to be hung in the gallery for an on-site gallery preview. To preview 21 of the works selected you must make an appointment, and they will be on view from April 15 - May 20. The gallery is located at 2184 Eighth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001. Tel: (202) 234-7103
For more information: https://www.wpadc.org/events/collectors-night-2021
April 23, 2020:
I am now very pleased to announce that I am represented internationally by Ronewa Art Projects (Berlin/Bangkok). My latest Gunpowder Series is currently featured on their website at:
UPDATE 4/21/2020
The current Conversations exhibition with the Puffin Foundation in NJ has been closed down due to COVID-19, and as yet, no plans can be formulated for that exhibition or future exhibitions. Museums and galleries and nonprofits are on hold but have switched to on-line platforms during this crisis.
Exhibition:
Puffin Foundation Cultural Foundation, Teaneck, NJ
Conversations 2020
Two of my works are included in this group exhibition.
Artists present timely works that speak on issues of racism and discrimination that impacts marginalized communities-at-large. They tackle issues of economic discrimination, inequities in the criminal justice system, environmental racism, health care and more. A reception and artists' talk will take place on March 27, at 7 PM.
Panel Discussion
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 1 to 3 PM
https://arlingtonartscenter.org/events/2020/01/aac-alumnae-panel-discussion/
Arlington Arts Center will host a panel discussion and presentation by myself and artists Roxana Geffen and Dawn Whitmore. We were all residents of Arlington Art Center for six years and the time has flown by, but the experience was fulfilling and significant in our development as artists. We will present images of work from then to now to underscore how the development of our work was nurtured and encouraged by AAC.
CURRENT VIDEO
The Trip Wire Project is on view through December 6th at the Phillips Museum, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA.
"One stitch equals one life."
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=977111472633629
OPENINGS
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Very happy to be included in Confluence Select at Otis Street Projects, Washington, DC
CONFLUENCE 2019 SELECT, a group exhibition featuring the work of ten DC area artists whose work was reviewed in East City Art’s 2019 Anthology of critical writing titled CONFLUENCE: Two Rivers One City.
CONFLUENCE 2019 SELECT, through the unique merger of visual art and critical writing, offers an expansive view of regional talent allowing audiences the opportunity to examine some of the most engaging ideas trending in contemporary visual art.
East City Art, DC’s visual arts publication of record, published its second edition of CONFLUENCE in March 2019. The 30 essays of the anthology present some of East City Art’s most compelling writing and document the DC region’s most prominent influences on regional visual arts culture.
The title of the anthology alludes to the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers which flow through the region affectionately known as the “DMV” (DC, Maryland and Virginia).
Key dates
On view: October 19-November 23
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 19th from 6-9pm
The Critics Of East City Art: Wednesday, November 6th 7-9pm
Closing Reception: Saturday November 23rd from 6-8pm
https://otisstreetarts.wixsite.com/otisstreetarts/events
ON VIEW
50 Years: A Celebration of F&M's Alumnae
The Phillips Museum, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 19, 2019
Rothman Gallery
September 3 – December 6, 2019
Franklin & Marshall College admitted the first class of female students in the fall of 1969. One hundred and twenty-five women joined the 1,850 enrolled male students on campus. Marking the 50th anniversary of co-education, the Phillips Museum of Art is celebrating by highlighting two alumnae artists from each decade since that historical day in F&M’s history.
Alumnae artists include Christy Batta’09, Cindy Clements ‘85, Michele Colburn ‘76, Jennie de Mello e Souza ‘92, Rebecca Frantz ‘13, Stephanie Lifshutz ‘13, Conrad Nelson ‘81, Beverly Ryan ‘73, Rachael Scharf ‘09, and Frances Wolf ‘96. These artists have created a variety of works including sculpture, pottery, paintings, neon signs, and textiles created from Vietnam-era military trip wire. The work showcases a wealth of perspectives and purpose ranging from every day use to political activism and social awareness. - The Phillips Museum
September 21, 6 to 9 PM
OPEN STUDIOS AT ARLINGTON ARTS CENTER
In conjunction with the opening of the Fall exhibitions at Arlington Arts Center, my studio will be open.
This is my last open studios at Arlington Arts Center as I my studio contract is up at the end of the November and I must move no. Please join us.
June and July
It was a pleasure to participate in these exhibitions this summer. They are now closed.
Happy to report that three works are on view in PLAY at H-Space off U Street at
1932 9th St., NW.
This exhibition organized by Curator and Sculptor Elizabeth Ashe, is the first of three exhibits examining America's relationship with guns. "Play" is open from now until https://www.eastcityart.com/openings-and-events/zenith-community-arts-foundation-presents-play-protection-or-peril/
A Curatorial Project by Zenith Community Arts Foundation
Saturday, June 8, 8 to 10 PM
Open Studios and Auction Participation at RATED ART Annual Gala
Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
NEWS
I am thrilled to report that Ruminate Literary Arts Magazine has published my work Quicksands in its June issue "Consume." https://www.ruminatemagazine.com/pages/why-ruminate
Censored
from exhibition at
Capital One Gallery, Capital One Headquarters
Tysons Corner, VA. April 2019
Lawyers, Guns, and Money (America the Beautiful?), 2019
Gunpowder, liquid acrylics and inks on paper.
Speaking Engagement (CANCELLED)
Art Education and Its Impact on Activism
Thursday, April 4
Artivism Evening
Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, MD
Convergence
Closes April 2
Arlington Art Center
3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
Rescheduled opening: Saturday, February 9, 6 - 9 PM. The show is open for viewing during regular gallery hours, but the reception and open studios were rescheduled due to snow and ice.
Opening Saturday, January 12 (please check for the possibility of a reschedule due to inclement weather)
Very happy to be included in this group exhibition presenting work in a broad array of media, from sculptural assemblage to photographs to paintings. Despite multiple approaches, the works are connected by the artists' interest in time and memory, personal and cultural history, and material transformation. Organizing Curator, Executive Director Holly Koons.
2018
Defining the Art of Change In the Age of Trump
The Center for Contemporary Political Art
September 30 - November 14, 2018
Over 500 artists nationally submitted to this free open call and my piece, Lawyers, Guns, and Money (State of the Union), 2018, was graciously accepted. This is the launch exhibition for this new non-profit centered in Washington, DC that will host exhibitions, lectures, and events.
Mu'ong AIR residency in Vietnam
Month of November, 2018
I am very happy to have been accepted to an artist residency in Vietnam http://muongstudio.vn/en/ and will be attending in November of this year. I look forward to seeing the country and devoting time to creating new works with the intention of examining notions of healing and growth.
The Trip Wire Project Continues in 2018 - Video Introduction to The Trip Wire Project https://vimeo.com/105690498
As conceived, work on the final two panels on the Trip Wire Project continuing after a one year hiatus. The panels are titled The Deceased Afghanistan and The Deceased Iraq and includes a stitch for each non-combatant killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the U.S. involvement. The fourth panel of Afghanis killed is up to date, and the fifth and final panel is in progress with close to a 1/4 million Iraqis being represented. Knitting will take place in front of the Saudi and former Iranian embassy in Washington, DC as well.
Auction Participant, Arlington Arts Center, 2018
March 25, 2018, 1 to 3 PM - Panel Discussion
Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd.
Covering themes of art and activism and the role of institutions.
https://arlingtonartscenter.org/events/2018/03/you-if-no-one-else-panel-discussion/
The More Things Change, Solo Exhibition through March 31, 2018
Pleased to announce my next solo exhibition The More Things Change at Arlington Arts Center, in Arlington, VA, which will open in January on the one year anniversary of the inauguration of 45. The exhibition includes sculptural works, video documentation and a mini-installation.
Gofundme for more trip wire materials needed.
https://www.gofundme.com/mcolburntripwire
Art Speaks! Lend Your Voice closing March 10th, Santa Monica
Video from this Los Angeles-based Women's Caucus for Art:
https://vimeo.com/260195106
Organizing Curator Jill Moniz
Closing Reception on March 10th in honor of International Women’s Day
Arena 1 Gallery at Santa Monica Art Studios 3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Exhibition by sixty-three artists from across the country. Works were selected by acclaimed curator Jill Muniz for the “ART SPEAKS! Lend Your Voice” exhibition at Arena 1 Gallery in Santa Monica. Sponsored by the Women's Caucus for Art, the opening reception was on Thursday, February 22, 2018 during the 2018 WCA national conference in Los Angeles which dovetailed the annual College Art Associations Conference. Very happy to have sold my piece in the exhibition I Carry You With Me, comprised of military trip wire and ceramics.
SUMMER 2017
Summer group exhibition at The Painting Center in Chelsea opening the evening of June 22. The Painting Center is located at 547 West 27th Street, Suite 500, New York, NY, 10001. Fight or Flight Exhibition, New York
Let Them Eat Cake, 2017. Vietnam era trip wire and spools, acrylic media and fired ceramics.
“Wired” ws on view in New York in the Project Space, Phoenix Gallery in Chelsea through June 16th.
Wired, 2015. Gunpowder, ink con papers.
Exhibited in group exhibition in April-May with Grizzly Grizzly in Philadelphia.
I Carry You With Me, 2016. Vietnam-era trip wire and ceramics. Sold 2018