Don’t Tell Me To Smile
by Mary Ellen Judge
Artist Reception
Thursday, February 5, 2026
from 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Artist Statement:
I grew up in the 60s and 70s, surrounded by flower power, peace, love, and more loud patterns than any child should reasonably absorb. Naturally, I fell in love with bold color, busy decoration, and anything that looked like it might clash on purpose.
After years of painting and collage, I wandered into the world of textiles and immediately thought, Ah, yes — this is chaos I can hold in my hands. Threads, repurposed fabrics, nylon, latex, paper, fringe, hair, and whatever else I can stitch, glue, or tie together all find their way into my work. I build pieces that are tactile, dramatic, and sometimes just a little unruly — the kind of pieces that invite people to look twice and discover something unexpected each time.
My work explores memory, vulnerability, humor, boundaries, and the ongoing desire to stay a little wild. Each piece is a small rebellion wrapped in texture — a way of piecing together the stories, misadventures, and feminine experiences that have shaped me. In short, my art is a conversation between color, fiber, and the loud, complicated, joyful mess of being human.
Biography
Mary Ellen Judge received her MFA from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her recent achievements include Best in Show and Honorable Mention at the 2025 Black Creek Arts Council Carolinas Annual Community Exhibit, and inclusion in the 2025 Florence Museum’s Eastern Carolina Contemporary Biennial and the 2025 Small Works Show at Acline Gallery in Lake City, SC. Her work has also been featured in Kolaj Magazine.
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition (SC), Figure Out Exhibit (SC), ArtFields (SC), Roberts Gallery, Lunder Arts Center (Cambridge, MA), Vagina Monologues (SC), and the Art Trail Gallery (SC). Her practice continues to evolve, drawing from personal history, humor, and a lifelong devotion to bold pattern, color, and creative experimentation.
This exhibit is FREE, and the public is encouraged to attend.
This exhibit will be on display until February 20, 2026.