Bio I was born and raised mostly in California but have lived all over the country. I received a BFA in painting from Michigan State University. I started a family in 2000 in Virginia and my solo practice went dormant with subsequent moves to Texas, Maryland and Kentucky. In 2014, after a move to Minnesota, I restarted my solo career. My studio practice is in combination with my Community Engagement practice. In order to better work with the community I pursued a graduate degree; I finished my Master's in Education at Hamline University in December 2022. A public art project I started in 2021, the smallärt gallery, has expanded to three installed locally. The 3 mini-galleries in Rochester focuses on women and BIPOC artists. All of the artists is another website I run that is a diverse index of contemporary MN artists, and resources. My community engagement practice centers mostly with community resource schools in Rochester, some rural outreach and continuing work with IMAA, Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association.
Statement My solo practice is in the process of changing and reflecting this quote by Marina Abramović, "The way to fight is not to reflect horror and put your spirit down. It's to create something with beauty that gives you hope." My work is mixed media and I move from clay, to metal and drawings. Recently I have been experimenting with collage and bolder colors.
Contact [email protected] on Instagram @marybethmagyar for the smallärt gallery @smallartgallerymn or visit www.mnsag.com
December 2023 I won the Mayor's Medal of Honor for Arts/Cultural Achievement read the article here.
If you want to hear more about my journey Click here to listen to my podcast "On resurfacing and restarting an art career after your kids are grown with Mary Beth Magyar"
Tatyana Kurepina made a short film about my work and why I work with the students I do:
