As an Irish born American artist I came to the United States at age three. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University and a Masters of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 1977 I lived in France working at I’ecole des beaux arts in Aix en Provence, and traveling to museums and monuments. In 1978, I established a studio in Bloomington Indiana, actively exhibiting, teaching and raising two children.

I am the recipient of the Carnegie Prize for Painting, National Academy of Design, New York, Individual Arts Grants from Indiana Art Commission. I have been a Visiting Artist at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio and Gateway Arts District in Maryland.

I have had numerous one person and group exhibitions, including galleries in South Africa, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, Toyota Museum in Japan, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Baltimore Museum of Art. And a residency with Windfall Dancers. I have taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Herron School of Art, Ivy Tech Community College and the Waldron Art Center in Bloomington.

My work moves between a conversation with favorite painters as mentors and images which address issues of absence and the redeeming power of beauty, nature and relationships.

My social activism led me to play an active role in establishing the Waldron Art Center in Bloomington and initiate Indiana’s first Percent for Art Ordinance in Bloomington.

website: http://patriciacolestudio.com      Facebook: Patricia Cole