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Phoebe Murer
pcmurer78@gmail.com
Phoebe Murer Bio
Phoebe Murer is an artist, and writer born and raised in Philadelphia. She received her Certificate of Fine Arts at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Painting; a bachelors in Psychology/ Pre-Art Therapy and a Masters in English/Creative Writing from Arcadia University. She has assisted in and led art activities at many schools and centers. She likes to incorperate her creative writing skills with her art. Phoebe shows her art regularly at different coops and cafes and has won various awards for her art including the 2012 INAP award for visual arts and a Mayor’s Award in Vancouver.
She is a mixed media artist who does 2D and small 3D mixed media pieces, photography, drawing, printmaking and oil painting on a variety of interests, whether it’s dreamlike swimming pools, pets, dark themes involving illness and social problems, or entertainment themes. She travels all over the world and takes photos of the most surreal looking pools and water parks to paint from and landscape paint at. She has had a life long love for bodies of water.
In addition she writes plays, skits, poetry, short stories and books. She got a book self-published, “Lab Animal Plays” in 2013. She designed her own book cover. Her inspirations are David Hockney, Salvador Dali, and Edvard Munch for Visual Artists, and for literature, writers who are trauma survivors or have some sort of disability.
Artist Statement
I am a free spirited sensory oriented artist. What attracts me to art is the use of colors and texture. The first thing I saved my money on, as a child was a pack of Caran Doch’e watercolor pencils with 80 different colors. When I find bright color glitter pens with fruity odors, I cannot resist.
I love experimenting with the different colors in the water when I paint pools and waterparks and theme park scenery. My oil paintings are typically vibrant and are inspired by Salvador Dali, and David Hockney, hence all the pool and theme/ water park paintings I have made.
I have like to produce art as long as I could remember. As a child I remember being fascinated with color and getting excited over a pack of Caran D'ache crayons with 84 different colors, or oil pastels with 96 different colors. Even when I oil paint or silkscreen and am perfectly capable of mixing my own vivid colors, I love playing with all the bright colors from my 84 pack of Caran D'ache water color crayons and drawing with glitter pens, sharpies, and Copec markers. I also love playing with different types of mediums to explore their texture, color, and interactions between the mediums. That’s what attracts me to techniques such as mix media on paper, drawing, printmaking, Photoshop, and sculpture. I will explore just about any medium and enjoy seeing the chemical and physical changes in some of the mediums. I collect art books and am constantly educating myself with new ways to make art.
The topics of prints, sculptures, and drawings are usually psychological and deal with dark themes the way Edvard Munch did. While Edvard Munch’s themes were about illness and death, mine are typically about social problems, trauma, despair, conflict, and afflictions with a twist of sarcastic and dark humor. I am working on a hand drawn graphic novel which I am photo shopping. It's a dark story about a trip to Europe with conflicting morals and life styles. That is basically the theme of a lot of my art. I am either making eye pleasing fun pieces, humorous pieces with people breaking the code of conduct or satires from entertainment, or am making dark images. Those were my topics in my drawings since I was a child.
When I first took print making classes at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, I did not know what to expect because, but I fell in love with all the processes. On top of that I love the freedom of expression I was allowed at PAFA because I went to schools that were censorship heavy. Originally printmaking was therapeutic for me because I used it to create various images expressing the angst I went through dealing with stigma as a person on the spectrum. I also took advantage of the freedom of being allowed to create graphic explicit content. I got to do this while manipulating the etching plates, collograph boards, and wood in several different ways. I fell in love with screen-printing when I learned it at Fleisher and went on to take a class at PAFA combining screen-printing with other printmaking techniques.
EXPERIENCE:
Fob Holder, Second State Press, Philadelphia, PA Spring 2019- present
Maintains the fine arts printmaking studio.
Art Instructor, Timothy School, Berwyn, PA, Summers 2017-present.
Created and facilitated art activities in classrooms for children with autism.
Language Arts Assistant, Timothy School, Philadelphia, PA; March, 2017- present.
· Lead art projects related to reading activities.
· Assist in reading activities.
· Adapts and annotate books into picture books for children with autism.
· Produces social stories for the children.
Internship, Timothy School, Philadelphia, PA; 2016
Assist in reading activities.
Adapt and annotate books into picture books for children with autism.
Produce social stories for the children.
Teaching Artist Work Trade Program, Portside Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA; 2016
Prep and assist with art activities.
Assist in providing a safe nurturing environment for the children.
Assist children with homework.
Facilitates art activities.
provide private art lessons.
Ambassador, ANCA, Vancouver, Canada, 2013-present
Host an international convention for artists and advocates with spectrum disorders.
Online International Radio Speaker
Acts out plays I wrote and speak on the ANCA radio station.
Run Art Workshops.
Spread the word of ANCA.
Freelance Art Instructor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2009-present.
Visit schools and festivals to teach art activities in the U.S and Canada.
Provide tailor-made individual art lessons to children and adults.
Freelance commissioned painter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1998-present.
Produce oil paintings to various customers..
Therapeutic Arts Aide, Broad Street Ministry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2014.
Assists in art activities in a community center for people dealing with mental health, addiction, and trauma
Art Instructor, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2009-2011.
Produced and facilitated art activities in classrooms in the therapeutic nursery.
Art Instructor, Timothy School, Berwyn, Pennsylvania, 2006-2009.
Created and facilitated art activities in classrooms for children with autism.
EDUCATION:
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
MFA in English; Major: English; 2018.
Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
BA in Psychology and Pre-Art Therapy; Major: Psychology; 2006.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Certificate of Fine Arts; Major: Painting; 2002.
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS:
2015 City of Vancouver Mayor’s Award
2015 ANCA Network for Community Achievement
2012 International Naturally Autistic People’s Award in Visual Arts
Certified Peer Specialist
2009 A-Rat-Emmy Award
Completed National Novel Writing Month two years in a row-2012 &2013
MOTIVATIONAL GUEST SPEAKER:
Arcadia University
Timothy School
Painted Bride Center
ANCA
GRASP
Drexel University
Intercept online radio
ANCA, People first online radio
BOOKS PUBLISHED:
Lab Animal Plays, 2013
Can order books through createspace store and Amazon.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS:
“Tree Rats,” It’s a Rat’s World’s Magazine, 2009 www.itsaratsworld.com
AFFILILIATIONS:
Mt Airy Art Garage- Member/Artist
DaVinci Art Alliance-Member/Artist
Starwheel Printmakers-Member/Artist
ANCA- Ambassador
Fleisher Art Memorial- Member/Artist/ Volunteer
Second State Press- Member/Artist
EXHIBITION HISTORY:
SOLO SHOWS:
2023
Water Dialectics; Allens Lane, Philadelphia, PA
2022
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours; Philadelphia, PA
2020
Water Play, World Wide, Holy Family University; Philadelphia, PA
2019
Quarter Sheet Challenge, Second State Press; Philadelphia, PA
2018
South Street from the 80s, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA.
2017
Quarter Sheet Challenge, Second State Press; Philadelphia, PA
2015
Nerve Endings, Higher Ground Café; Philadelphia, PA.
2012
Dreamlike Pools, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Museum Café; Philadelphia, PA
2011
International Landscapes, Mocha Café; Philadelphia, PA
2009
Swimming Pools and Water Parks, Holy Family University; Philadelphia, PA
2007
A-Space: Philadelphia, PA
2003
Metropolitan Bakery; Philadelphia, PA
GROUP SHOWS:
2023
125 Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
2nd Prize in Printmaking
2022
Nursery Rhymes for Questionable times, Inliquid, Philadelphia, PA
Through the grid, Davinci Art Alliance; Philadelphia, PA
2021
Under $100; Off the Wall Gallery, Dirty Franks, Philadelphia, PA
Horror Business; Mt. Airy Art Garage, Mt. Airy, PA
2020
Cetenations, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, NY. Curators: Racheal Gorchav and Jo Yerrington
Craft!, Davinci Art Alliance: Philadelphia, PA. Juror: Thora Jacobson
2019
Feats of the Fobs, Second State Press, Philadelphia, PA
121 Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
Student Advisory Council Award
Beyond Mark Making, Star Wheel Printers, Trenton Artworks, Trenton, NJ
2018
Small Works: A Print Show, Star Wheel Printers, 3rd Street Gallery Annex, Philadelphia, PA
Divided Nation, Mt. Airy Art Garage, Mt. Airy, PA. Juried.
120th Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
2017
The Place Between Two Rivers, Davinci Art Alliance: Philadelphia, PA. Juror: David Acosta.
Star Wheel Printers; 3rd Street Gallery, Annex, Philadelphia, PA
119th Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
2016
Aberrations, Star Wheel Printers, DaVinci Art Alliance Gallery; Philadelphia, PA
Members July Exhibition, DaVinci Art Alliance Gallery; Philadelphia, PA
We Are MAGG, Mt. Airy Art Garage, Mt. Airy, PA
118th Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
Love Letter Show, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate Life, Mt. Airy Art Garage, Mt. Airy, PA
2015
Ornament Show, Nice Things Hand Made; Philadelphia, PA
Smallworks, DaVinci Art Alliance Gallery; Philadelphia, PA
POST, Mt. Airy Art Garage; Mt. Airy, PA
Memories and Metaphors, Star Wheel Printers, Holy Family University; Philadelphia, PA
Art on the Spectrum, Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
Advanced Printmaking Class Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
Something Cool, DaVinci Art Alliance Gallery; Philadelphia, PA
Surface and Tension; A Print Show, Star Wheel Printers and Orchard Artworks, Bryn Athyn, PA
Fleisher Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA -Honorable Mention for Works on Paper
It’s a Small World, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
Critters and Beasts, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Fleisher Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA
2013
Group Art show, Blick; Philadelphia, PA
Group Art show, Upper Mainline YMCA; Berwyn, PA
Fleisher Annual Adult Student Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial; Philadelphia, PA- Honorable Mention for Photography
2012
Student Alumni Art show, Arcadia University; Glenside, PA
2011
Group Art Show, Philly Café; Philadelphia, PA
2009
Life on The Spectrum, Painted Bride; Philadelphia, PA
2008
Autism Arts in Action, Holy Family University; Philadelphia, PA
Women’s Art Show, Floating Gallery; New York City, NY
2007
Second Annual Quaker Arts Conference; Bristol, PA
2002
Annual Student Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia, PA
2001
Annual Student Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia, PA.
2000
Juried Student Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia, PA
1999
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting; Philadelphia, PA
1998
Juried Student Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Juried Student Show, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia, PA
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting; Philadelphia, PA
1991
Children’s Art Show, Levy Gallery, Moore College of Art; Philadelphia, PA
Additional group art shows: Two in Harrisburg, one in New Jersey, two at the Plastic Club, and two in New York City. Also auctioned off a painting for Rat Chick Rat Rescue, ARC, and Fleisher. Donated one to PAFA.
COLLECTIONS
Penn Homecare & Hospice Services
Lang Clinic, Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Pinewoods Camp, Higgins Lake, Roscommon, MI
The Timothy School, Berwyn PA
Additional Collections: Several local business, schools, and private collections. Notably, some of the private collections are in Norway and Canada.
Bibliography:
-Aleo, Martha; “Phoebe Murer at POST,”- Ornamento.blog, November 3, 2022,
https://ornamento.blog/2022/11/03/phoebe-murer-at-post/
-Charleston, Rita; Artist with Autism exhibits ‘gift’ at Allens Lane Gallery; Chestnut Hill Local, 19, Jan 2023
https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/autistic-artist-exhibits-gift-ar-allens-lane-gallery,26479
-Morrison, John, “‘South Street From the 90’s’ exhibition pays homage to South Street’s pre-gentrification glory”, Broad Street Review, October 30, 2019, https://www.broadstreetreview.com/previews/south-street-from-the-90s-exhibition-pays-homage-to-south-streets-pre-gentr-
-Musbach, Julie, “South Street Art Exhibit Comes to Philadelphia At Da Vinci Art Alliance,” September 10, 2019, https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/article/South-Street-Art-Exhibit-Comes-To-Philadelphia-At-Da-Vinci-Art-Alliance-20190910
-Retter, Jen, “Murer ‘06 Recognized for Community Achievement at ANCA World Autism Festival,” Arcadia University, November 11, 2016. https://www.arcadia.edu/news/2016/11/murer-06-recognized-community-achievement-anca-world-autism-festival
-Walsh, Kailee, “Reliving South Street’s Heyday Through Art,” Fleisher Art Memorial, November 11, 2019, https://fleisher.org/reliving-south-streets-heyday-through-art/
Presenting in South Street Attire in my own show