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 during the vibrant and transformative decades of the 1960s and 1970s, immersed in the ethos of flower power, peace, and love, surrounded by an explosion of color and design. From an early age, I was drawn to bold, vibrant patterns and decorative forms. My artistic career began in the late 1980s, with the female figure emerging as my primary source of inspiration.

As a multidisciplinary artist, I continually explore innovative ways to incorporate diverse materials into my work, including collage, recyclable items, paint, fibers, and stitchery. Collage serves as a critical technique for me, enabling both physical and conceptual layering that adds depth and complexity to my pieces. My work is characterized by a playful, subversive, and often humorous approach.

Thematically, my art addresses a range of subjects such as beauty, fashion, sexuality, ageism, the feminine grotesque, gender dynamics, and more recently, the experience of dating after 50. I hold an MFA from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Notable achievements include being the sole winner of the 2019 Alumni Art Exhibit at Francis Marion University Gallery Place in Florence, South Carolina, and serving as a featured artist in Kolaj Magazine, Issue #26 (2019). My solo exhibition in 2010 at the Francis Marion University Hyman Fine Art Gallery marked a significant milestone in my career. Additionally, I have 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 (SC).

This exhibit is FREE, and the public is encouraged to attend.

This exhibit will be on display until February 20, 2026.