Bio I was born and raised mostly in California but have lived all over the country. I received a painting degree from Michigan State University. I started a family in 2000 and my professional life went dormant. In 2014, after a move to Minnesota, I restarted my art 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, is a non-profit I manage. There are 3 mini-galleries in Rochester that I put work in to highlight a diverse group of artists. One gallery has identifying women in it, the other highlights student work, the third inside this hotel features local Rochester artists. My work and inspiration are primarily drawn from the environment and my relationship with it. Statement Community is everywhere; where we choose to live, who we choose to be with, and how we define ourselves. It can represent a small group of a few or an entire nation. Community can give us a sense of safety and belonging, support us and help us through difficult times, it can also influence us, whether we want it to or not, in negative and destructive ways. My work explores the relationships that are chosen, even the ones that are peripheral but affect us nonetheless. Ownership, protection, rights and opinions are all expressed or exploited through communities. As a woman and mother I have also explored more recently the illusions we, identifying women, have as to our safety and autonomy.The combination of clay and metal highlights the fragility within these connections to one another and between larger communities. The organic colors and materials come from my wandering and adventures outside. The organic shapes are inspired by the cycle of communities that make up our environment. My work continues to evolve as I navigate different ideas and perspectives towards communities.
Contact mbmagyar@gmail.com on Instagram @marybethmagyar for the smallärt gallery @smallartgallerymn or visit www.mnsag.com
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, watch it here
