Winter 2025 Studio Update

My last newsletter was sent out Spring 2023 - a lot has changed since then! I appreciate all of you who have subscribed to receive this occasional correspondence. As social media seems to be experiencing a reckoning, I am shifting my focus to this space, in hopes to avoid the fickle nature of algorithms. For the time being, you can still find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, but this may change in the coming months as I seek to limit distractions and instead, focus on my creative practice and making meaningful connections within my communities.

Exhibitions

Installation shot from Radford University Museum of Art

Radford University Art Museum presents my latest solo exhibition Thirteen Hours to Fall, January 23rd - February 19th, 2025. I will be on campus February 19th to give an artist talk at 4PM which will be followed by a closing reception from 5-7PM.

Searing, installation shot by David Graham

Central Michigan University Art Gallery just wrapped up Searing: Works from the Women’s Environmental Photography Collective which was on view January 16th - February 15th, 2025. Aside from my work, the exhibition included compelling works from Marion Belanger, Dana Fritz, Judy Natal, Martina Shenal, Terri Warpinski, and guest collaborator Martha Willette Lewis. A catalogue of the exhibition is forthcoming. I will share a link as soon as it is available.

Upcoming Residencies

In the fall, I look forward to returning to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the Community of Practice Residency at the Santa Fe Art Institute. Focused on critical inquiry and cultural exchange, this residency brings together SFAI alumni and alumni-nominated artists to explore artistic engagement addressing issues of social justice and liberation. During my previous residency at SFAI, I had several creative breakthroughs and developed connections with a wonderful cohort of artists. I can’t wait to be back in this magical place!

I was delighted to learn last month that I have been selected as one of the 2025-2026 Cummings Residents at The Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, Massachusetts. This award includes an exhibition/installation at the museum, a catalogue of the project, and an honorarium. Once the dates for my visit/exhibition are determined, I will share them with you and invite you to join me at the opening!

Acquisitions and Commissions

Central Michigan University acquired epiphany, 2024 (image above) which was created during my Barstow Artist Residency on campus. This work is inspired, in part, by the book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Catherine May. This text provided me a sense of solace and refuge during the immensely challenging period of my life between summer 2023 and winter 2024. I highly recommend it for anyone facing major changes and/or wanting to find new ways to embrace a slower, more intentional path.

In the fall of 2024, I relocated to southwest Virginia for an artist residency at Radford University. In addition to my residency, I was also invited to teach a graduate-level course on place-based research at the Selu Conservancy. My class met weekly on this gorgeous 380-acre property along the Little River. The Radford University Museum of Art commissioned a site-specific piece about Selu for The Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity, a new multi-functional, cross-disciplinary building housing several departments including the visual and performing arts as well as some medical arts programs. This work was completed in January 2025 and will be installed this spring.

Upcoming Conference

As many of you know, I am the Vice-Chair of the Society for Photographic Education (SPE). This year we are gathering March 6-8th in Reno, Nevada for the annual conference titled, Adaptation. I look forward to connecting with old and new friends, colleagues, and alumni in “The Biggest Little City in the World”. Join me for three days of sessions on creative practice, pedagogy, and professional development as well as exhibitions, workshops, and the infamous dance party.

Upcoming Lecture

Midwest friends and supporters! Join me at the Sheldon Museum of Art on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus where I will be giving a talk on Thursday, March 13th at 5:30PM. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Workshops and Retreats

As I focus my attention on supporting and growing my overlapping communities of artists, environmentalists, academics, and activists, I am pleased to share that I am developing several new workshops and retreats. In the coming weeks, you will be able to find updates and registration links on my website. Stay tuned for more details soon!

Thank you for your continued support and friendship. I hope that our paths cross again soon!

All the best,

Margaret