about
artist statement:
Combining a carnivalesque attitude with social commentary, I reflect on the challenges of communication in daily life and emotions triggered while navigating the landscape of issues, images & events encountered along the way. Working with stencils, silhouettes and cutouts of varying scale and materials, I layer, combine, and juxtapose elements, both physically and digitally, to activate the space. Be it the picture plane or the room, a stage is set for a cast of characters, symbols, and images in reaction to the world that surrounds us, seeking to make connections both personal and universal with the viewer.
bio
Patricia Collins creates mixed media works, with a focus on painting & printmaking, including murals, interactive mixed media constructions/ installations. New works in her solo show, “Action Reaction Interaction” at Florida Gulf Coast University’s ArtLab, March 2022, combine those interests with social commentary on life in our present time. Born & raised in Massachusetts, she earned a BFA in Communications Design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Living & working in New York’s Lower East Side, energized by artists, music, street art and a DIY gallery scene influenced her artistic development prior to moving to southwest Florida. Since then her work has been exhibited twice at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL; Florida Museum for Women Artists, Deland, FL; Scope Miami, the Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, & other venues. Past solo shows include “Past Present, Future Tense” , Collier County Museum of the Everglades; “Visual Rhythms”, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center; and “My Name Is Art”, Howl Gallery, Ft. Myers, FL. She has been awarded several City of Fort Myers Individual Artist Grants. Her limited edition artist book, “Urban Anxieties” is in MoMA Queens Artists’ Books collection. Collins’ murals for Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, N. Ft. Myers, FL, and the Kappa Development Foundation, Ft Myers, FL can be found on the cultureNOW website.
Participatory art pieces include the “Creative Action Collaboration” project at The Collaboratory in Ft. Myers and other locations; “ The Primate Party at the Podium” a pop-up installation outside Faneuil Hall in Boston during the 2016 election season; “Wall of Opinions”, where participants made prints to express opinions on the border wall. Collins created “Freedom Trail Photo Op: taking another look at freedom”, a series of photos as postcards, taken along Boston’s Freedom Trail with a cardboard cutout of a child in a cage, in response to family separation border policies. The “Future of the Past” voting rights themed exhibition at Lesley University, MA, was immediately inspiring, coinciding with the 2020 election year. Her print for the show led to an interactive series, culminating in “Voting Priority 2020”, presented at FSW and FGCU campuses to engage students in the voting process.
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Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Ft. Myers, FL “City of Ft. Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipients”
2021 Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW, “Postcards for Democracy” curators Mark Mothersbaugh, Beatie Wolfe
2020 Lesley University Marran Gallery Cambridge, MA “Future of the Past” group show
2017 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Ft. Myers, FL “Individual Artist Grants Exhibition”, participatory installation
2016 A.I.R. Gallery “Wish You Were Here” Brooklyn, NY
2016 A.I.R. Gallery “Wish You Were Here” Brooklyn, NY
2016 Morean Arts Center “Exquisite Porch” St. Petersburg, FL curators D.D. Lombardi, Amanda Cooper
2014 Florida Gulf Coast University; “Flor 500”, Ft .Myers, FL curator Mary Voytek, project by Xavier Cortada
2014 Harborside Convention Center, “Individual Artist Grant Recipients”, City of Fort Myers
2014 Alliance for the Arts “3rd Annual Artists Studio Tour”, Ft. Myers, FL
2013 Florida Museum of Women Artists “4th Annual”, Deland, FL
2013 Alliance for the Arts “27th Annual All FL”, juror Frank Verpoorten, Dir., The Baker Museum Artis, Naples
2013 BIG Arts, “Crossing the Line w/Paper”, Sanibel, FL, 3rd Place, juror Ron Bishop, dir. Bob Rauchenberg Gallery
2012 Southwest Florida International Airport, “Honor, Country & Heroism”
2012 Florida Gulf Coast University “Hot”, curator Anica Sturdivant
2012 Alliance for the Arts “26th Annual All FL”, curator David Fithian, Museum of Florida Art, Deland, FL
2011 SCOPE Miami; “The Stuck-Up Show: A History of Sticker Culture”, curator DB Burkeman
2011 Art Modern Gallery; “Stencil & Candy”, Miami, FL
2010 Verge Miami Beach; Art Modern Gallery, Miami, FL
2009 Art Modern Gallery; “Urban Eyes”, Naples, FL
2008 Alliance for the Arts “Annual All FL”, Honorable Mention, juror Marc Mitchell, Boston University Art Gallery
2006 Space 39, Ft. Myers, FL “Pop Goes Space 39” invitational, Space 39 “Art in Text” invitational
2003 The Von Liebig Center, Naples, FL “Art Encounter2003” Award of Merit juror Robert Sindelir
1998 John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Sarasota, FL “A Baroque Bash: Fan Fantasy” Christie’s invitational auction
1996 Ringling Museum of Art Sarasota, FL “Featuring Florida”, juror Thomas Sokowolski, dir. Andy Warhol Museum
1992 Valencia Community College Orlando, FL “18th Annual Juried Competition: Small Works”
1990 Alliance of the Arts Ft. Myers, FL “2D, 3D” 2 honorable mentions, juror Judith Page;
1987 Offices of the Attorneys at 56 Thomas St. NYC, 3 person
One Person Exhibitions
2022 Florida Gulf Coast University ArtLab Gallery, “Action Reaction Interaction” installation, artist talk, rubbing wall
2015 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Ft. Myers, FL “Visual Rhythms” exhibition; artist talk
2012 Howl Gallery Ft. Myers, FL “My Name Is Art”
2007 Space 39 Gallery Ft. Myers, FL “A Fragile State”
2003 Arts for A.C.T. Gallery, “Past Present, Future Tense” Fort Myers, FL
2002 Collier County Museum of the Everglades “Past Present, Future Tense”
1994 New Arts Festival, Fort Myers, FL “Road Trips & Terrors”, artist in residence exhibition
1993 Life Café, NYC “Good Girls, Bad Myths”
1992 Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, FL “All About Eve”
1986 Tompkins Square Gallery, Artist in Residence solo exhibition NYC
Selected Murals, Installations, Interactive
2020 “Voting Priority 2020”, intractive sculpture project, Florida Southwestern College, Florida Gulf Coast University
2020 “Freedom to Run, Freedom to Breathe, Freedom to Be”, Light Projection Mural Lee County Alliance of the Arts
2019 “Art Lives Here”, Lee County Alliance of the Arts public art billboard, “Image Blocks 2”
2019 Pompano Beach Traffic Box Wraps Round 2 “Image Collection” public artwork installed
2019 The Collaboratory Ft. Myers, FL “Creative Action Collaboration” a participatory installation
2018 Freedom Trail Photo Shoot, a creative action response to the White House immigration policies
2017 Build a Wall of Opinions participatory installation, Immokalee & Ft. Myers, FL 8’x8’ stenciled wall w/symbol prints
2017 Creative Action Collaboration, LCAA. a participatory installation Ft. Myers, FL
2016 The Primate Party, participatory installations: popup event, Faneuil Hall plaza, Boston, MA; Politicos event.LCAA, FL
2015 Kappa Educational Center Murals 4 STEM theme murals
2015 Tincture Gallery “Riffing on Rutherford”, 3 artists collaborative site specific installation
2014 Habitat for Humanity ReStore “Possibilities” mural, N. Ft. Myers, FL
2014 Art Walk “The Uninvited Photo Op” featuring 24”x76”x18” cutout foam figure. Ft. Myers.
2010 Broadway Windows “Birdland” site specific storefront installation featuring 3 puppet-contructed life size figures
2005-6 Hoodoo Lounge. w/musician Bill Wright. Outdoor events feat. live music, film & art participation; 3 tent murals
2002-6 Art Royale, Alliance of the Arts. Proposed, created, staged interactive art in the first 4 events. 8’x4’ painting
1993 Lee County Art in Public Places Airport Art Exhibits ‘‘‘‘93, ‘92
1992 Club Salad Days 9’x12’ mural Ft. Myers, FL
1984-5 Casa Nada/No Se No NY, RivingtonSchool sculpture garden wall mural; One Stop Gallery, NYC, mural Tompkins Square Park Bandshell NYC, “Medieval City I & II” murals
Selected Grants, Residencies & Activities
City of Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant 20201, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010
Creative Capital Artists Workshop 2015 State sponsored Professional Development Workshop in Gainesville, FL
Public Art Committee member, City of Fort Myers, 2012 - 2021.
Exhibition Committee member, Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, FL, 2007 - 2019
Curator for “Earth Day Art Exhibition”, The Center For Organic & Sustainable Living at Green PlanetFarm 2013
Juror FGCU Student show 2021,2022; LCAA “State of Mind” political art, 2012, awards, “Walk & Talk” event.
Guest Artist, PACE Immokolee, Monoprinting workshops2016-7; Dunbar MiddleSchool, Silhouettes in Contemporary Art
Education
BFA Communications Design, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Informal, Self Directed Education
1988-1990 Research on imagery in Celtic carvings, specifically sheela-na gigs. Travelled to Ireland, first in ‘88 & returned in 1990 with grant, to track down carvings throughout the country to sketch & photograph. Dublin National Museum Direc- tor Eamon Kelly provided me w/important out of print information for my search, & a visit to view & sketch the collection
Selected Media Coverage
https://violencetransformed.com/portfolio/unfinished-business-the-complicated-history-of-voting-rights-in-america/ Patricia Collins art featured in website banner
https://violencetransformed.com/exhibitions-archive/page/2/ image of Patricia Collins art
04/22/2022 Downtown Cape Coral says goodbye to boring utility boxes https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/cape-coral/2022/04/22/downtown-cape-coral-says-goodbye-boring-utility-boxes-hello-art/7353070001/
04/18/2022 www.capecoralbreeze.com/news/business/2022/04/18/cra-unveils-downtown-utility-box-artwork/
May 8, 2019 Fox4 news, “Billboards transforming into artwork across Lee County”, Pat Collins’ billboard art featured. www.fox4now.com
May 1, 2019 https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/art-lives-here/ interviewed for article
March 2016 www.huffingtonpost.com/d-dominick-lombardi/amanda-cooper-and-the-exq_b_9247680.html art
Nov., 2015 HAPPENINGS Arts & Entertainment Magazine, Visual Rhythms photo, the River District page
Oct. 3, 4, 2015 Art SWFL.com “‘Visual Rhythms’ opens with fanfare at Davis Art Center” and “More on ‘Visual Rhythms’ artist Pat Collins” 2 articles w/images http://www.artswfl.com/breaking-news/october-1-7-2015/swfl-art-community- theater-news-for-october-1-7-2015.
Oct., 2015 HAPPENINGS Arts & Entertainment Magazine, “Davis Art Center to showcase Pat Collins...”, article w/image
October 16, 2015 The News-Press, “Pat Collins: Visual Rhythms”, Gulf Coasting Visual Arts Spotlight
2015-2016 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, season brochure image featured, listing with image
June 30, 2014 The News-Press, “On-the-Wall Idea”, Amy Bennett Williams feature article with images www.new-press. com/story/life/volunteers/2014/06/30/volunteer-muralists-brighten-habitat-store/11706273/
June 30, 2014 Pine Island Eagle, “A Mission in Technicolor”, Cynthia Williams article with images www.pineisland-eagle. com/page/content.detail/id/527155/A-mission-in-technicolor.html?nav=5059
June 6, 2014 FOX4 “Local High School Artists Design A Masterpiece” interview with chief photographer Curt Tremper www.jrn.com/fox4now/news/Local-high-school-artists-make-something-beautiful-262179721.html
Sept. 6, 2013 www.examiner.com/article/pat-collins-part-of-alliance-and-sbdac-retrospective-exhibitions-opening-tonight 7/8/13 www.examiner.com/article/collins-and-mills-part-of-florida-museum-of-women-artists-4th-juried-show
Oct. 17, 2012 WGCU’s Gulf Coast Live talk show guest discussing political art & “State of Mind” exhibition
Oct. 5, 2012 NBC 2 “Art Meets Politics in New Exhibit” interview with reporter Chad Oliver
Oct. 5, 2012 The New-Press “Art & Politics Mix in Alliance Show” Charles Runnell’s article with quote
Feb.29, 2012 Florida Weekly “Artist’s social commentary adorns Howl walls in March” column & 2 paintings
Oct. 28, 2010 WGCU radio Gulf Coast Live Arts Edition, “Too Hot To Handle?! A Political Issues Show, guests: curator Pat Collins, David Hatchett, Ray Hernandez, Stephen Hayford; Dr. Wendy Chase. www.wgcu.org/Gulf-Coast-Live/Page-59
Jan. 17,2009 The New-Press “Silhouettes”, Tammy Ayer. article, images on work of Pat Collins, Kara Walker, Karl Johnson.
Nov. 2006 Expressions magazine “Express Yourself ”, article on the interactive art event, Art Royale, Pat Collins
May 2007 Grandeur magazine “Space 39...” painting featured
Dec. 3, 2005 Bonita Daily News Nancy Stetson reviews Art Royale, discusses Pat Collins’ “Wings of Desire”
Oct. 2005 The Von Liebig Art Center “Art Encounter” brochure: “Bliss 2” featured image
Sept. 6, 2002 News Press Gulf Coasting “No one way to recall Sept. 11 tragedies”, Denise L. Scott. painting in cover story.
1998 John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art “A Baroque Bash: Fan Fantasy” Christies catalog
1996 John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art “Featuring Florida” catalog
1996 Sarasota Times, Longboat Observer
Aug. 25, 1995 News Press Gulf Coasting. painting, “The Big Blow” featured on cover
Aug. 19, 1992 Fort Myers Observer, “Local artist goes back in time with ‘All About Eve’”, Eileen Kelley
Oct. 13, 1992 Nightlife News, vol. 15, issue 767, “Club Salad Days” mural in cover story photo
1985 High Performance magazine #32 photo of street projection on building from the Vibrator show