Artist whose work explores feminism, animal advocacy, and systems of power through painting, photography, collage, and socially engaged art.
Education M.F.A., Visual Arts Vermont College of Fine Arts
B.F.A., Visual Arts Northern Illinois University
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2016 The Making of Feeding Time, Old Courthouse Arts Center, Woodstock, Illinois (invited; artist talk) 2015 Feeding Time, Sage Gallery, Crystal Lake, Illinois (artist talk) 2014 Feeding Time, Wood Gallery, Montpelier, Vermont 2013 The Yellow Wallpaper, ARK Gallery, Montpelier, Vermont 2012 Non-literal Self Portraits, ARK Gallery, Montpelier, Vermont 2011 Capturing California, Surface Art and Culture, Oceanside, California (invitational)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 To Be Heard, Old Courthouse Arts Center, Woodstock, Illinois (invited) 2017 Women's Works, Woodstock, Illinois (juried) 2016 Midwest Artists, Genesis Gallery, Chicago, Illinois 2015 18th International Open, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois 2014 Snap to Grid, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, California 2014 A Mermaid and Three Heads of Cabbage, Gallery 107, North Adams, Massachusetts 2014 December, Lakeside Arts Park – Sage Gallery, Crystal Lake, Illinois 2014 Ladies Who Lunch (video), ARK Gallery, Montpelier, Vermont 2013 Visage: Out of the Ordinary Portraits, Sage Gallery, Crystal Lake, Illinois (juried) 2013 Exploiting What Needs to be Exploited, ARK Gallery, Montpelier, Vermont 2013 Orange Dove Project, Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (socially engaged art) 2012 Turn It Upside-down, Norris Cultural Arts Center, St. Charles, Illinois (invitational)
Curatorial & Socially Engaged Projects
2015 Unlocked, Curator, Sage Gallery, Crystal Lake, Illinois 2013 Orange Dove Project, Creator and Curator, Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association 2008 Art to Heal Hearts, Curator, Northern Illinois University 2005–2011 Annual benefit exhibitions supporting Pets In Need, Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Helping Paws, and Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association
Selected Presentations
2017 "Coupon Queens: An Art Piece that Unites Socioeconomics with Animal Welfare." The Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts (SLSA) Annual Conference 2015 "Just a Female Animal: Using Art and Satire to Illuminate the Relationship Between Consuming Meat and Consuming Women." Moral Cultures of Food Conference
Selected Publications
2015 "Just a Female Animal: Using Art and Satire to Illuminate the Relationship Between Consuming Meat and Consuming Women." Moral Cultures of Food 2013 Amanda Marrazzo, "Artist Profile: Art Evolving." McHenry County Magazine
Awards
2017 Artistic Merit Award, Women's Works 2013 Compassion Award, Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association
Juror / Judge
2016 Women's Works 2015 Sage / Dole Galleries 2010–2014 Wausau Festival of Arts
Professional Experience
Founder, Mary Telfer Fine Art LLC 2022–Present Professional artist and educator maintaining an active studio practice while developing online courses, workshops, memberships, and artist communities.
Executive Director Alliance for Animals, Madison, Wisconsin 2017–2019 Directed fundraising, advocacy, grant writing, communications, public outreach, and organizational leadership for a statewide animal protection nonprofit.
Gallery Coordinator Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole, Crystal Lake, Illinois 2015–2016 Coordinated exhibitions, artist communications, curatorial logistics, public programming, and artist support. College & Community Art Instructor 2004–Present Instructor in painting, drawing, pastel, mixed media, color theory, professional practices, art history, and socially engaged art.
Selected teaching appointments:
McHenry County College Elgin Community College Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association Private workshops and online instruction
