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Education:

2009 BA in Studio Art, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

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Selected Exhibitions:

2023  Little Windows, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

          Art Fair 14C, Jersey City, NJ

          81st Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

          (Solo), American Grammar, Philadelphia, PA

2022   99 Dollar Exhibition, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

2020  In A Perfect World: Optimism In An Age Of Anxiety, Ringel Gallery at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

2019  Wynorrific Times: Roberto Lugo and Mat Tomezsko, Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

          Second Nature: The Poetics of Re-presentation, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

          NOW, Solo Show, Thomas Hunter Projects, New York, NY

2018  CORE: Mat Tomezsko, Gregory Coates, Leora Brecher, NoBA Artspace, Bala Cynwyd, PA

          Into The Light, Arts + Crafts Holdings, Philadelphia, PA

          Art in the Open: Selections from 2010-2018, Invitational, presented by CFEVA, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

          A Winter Juried Collection, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

          The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

2017  Jarring, Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE

          The Woodmere Annual: 76th Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

          Emerging Artists: Young Philadelphia Artists, Invitational, The Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

          #45: Artists React to the New Political Landscape, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY

          Welcome True and Untrue, Gallery 5, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA

2016  Government Cheese, Lillstreet Arts Center, Chicago, IL

          Wild Mouth, Project Space at Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

          Art in the Open, CFEVA, Philadelphia, PA

          The Life and Times of Roberto Lugo, Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

          From the Wheel To the Wall, Garcia Squared Contemporary, Kansas City, MO

2015  The City Real & Imagined, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

          Body Mass, New Boone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2014  Navigation Puzzle: 2014 Members’ Juried Exhibition, Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE

          `Murica: A Patriotic Art Show, PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA

          Art in the Open, University City Arts League, Philadelphia, PA

          On The Edge: Looking With New Eyes, The Artists’ House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2013  Juvenile In Justice, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA

          #Hashtag, InAsMuch Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK

2012  Art in the Open, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA

          Happier and Happier, Archive Space at Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2011  Danger Danger Danger Danger, The Danger!Danger! Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010  Your Swimming Brain, Fleisher Ollman, Philadelphia, PA

          Summer in the City, Projects Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2009  Guilty Pleasures, Projects Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

Public and Community Art Projects:

2023  Garden Wall Frankford (IV)

          Collaborative mural painted and designed with participants of the Mural Arts'

          Color Me Back: Same Day Work and Pay  Program. Mural Arts. Located in Frankford, Philadelphia, PA

          Still Life with w/ Family Photos, Fruit, Flowers, Pastelillos, Sancocho, Sketchbooks, Games, and Other Objects from

          CAP Students

          Collaborative public art project designed with students at Community Academy of Philadelphia. 

          Located in Kensington / Juniata, Philadelphia, PA. Mural Arts Philadelphia. 

          Revolutionary Philadelphia, 2023

          Ongoing series of collaborative artworks produced through guided research and discussion of figures who have made 

          revolutionary contributions to the areas of civil rights, LGBTQ+ activism, arts and culture, and more. Classes taught through 

          University Community Collaborative program, a paid opportunity for High School students in Philadelphia.

          Supported by the Velocity Fund and Urban Creators. Located at Urban Creators Life Do Grow Farm.

          Garden Wall

          Collaborative mural painted and designed with participants of the Mural Arts'

          Color Me Back: Same Day Work and Pay  Program. Located in Kensington, Philadelphia, PA.

          Mural Arts Philadelphia, Stop The Risk, the Medicine Shoppe, and the Scattergood Foundation

2022  Community Garden

          Collaborative mural painted with participants of the Mural Arts' Color Me Back: Same Day Work and Pay Program and 

          members of the Tacony community who participated in a community paint event at the TaconyLAB.

          Located in Tacony, Philadelphia, PA.

          Mural Arts Philadelphia, Tacony Community Development Corp, and Burg Properties, LLC.

          Garden Painting

          Collaborative mural painted with members of the Chester community on site at the Ruth Bennett Community Farm in Chester, PA

          Supported by The TD Charitable Foundation, Widener University, and Chester Housing Authority. 
          Garden of Rare and Resilient Plants

          Two murals in the Emerald Street Underpass at Emerald St and Lehigh Ave in Kensington, Philadelphia, PA. 

          A project through the Mural Arts’ Color Me Back: Same Day Work and Pay Program, an initiative that combines

          participatory art-making and access to social services in a unique model offering individuals who are experiencing economic

          insecurity an opportunity to earn wages. Took place on site over 10 months in the Fall of 2021 through the Summer of 2022. 

          Mural Arts Philadephia

          Free Paint

          Commission for free public collaborative painting event resulting in composition for the collection of Purdue University,

          West Lafayette, IN. 

          Revolutionary Philadelphia, 2022

          Ongoing series of collaborative artworks produced through guided research and discussion of figures who have made 

          revolutionary contributions to the areas of civil rights, LGBTQ+ activism, arts and culture, and more. Classes taught through 

          University Community Collaborative program, a paid opportunity for High School students in Philadelphia. 

2021  Revolutionary Philadelphia

          Collaborative mural produced through a guided class researching figures who have made revolutionary contributions to the

          areas of Civil Rights, LGBTQ+ activism, Labor movement, Arts and Culture, and more.

          Class through University Community Collaborative with support from the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation.

          Mural supported by Global Philadelphia and Temple University.

          NOW

          An exhibition of eleven paintings temporarily installed in the public garden space of the Tacony branch of the Free Library of 

          Philadelphia. On view for 3 months. Supported by Tacony CDC. 

          Look Long and Look Good

 Repairing, repainting and re-installing 30 public paintings originally created in 2011

 Manayunk Development Corporation

2020   Free Paint - Murals

           Community painting event with Manayunk Development Corp, culminating in 10 murals installed by Pretzel Park in Manayunk. 

           Space Pad Project 

           Temporary floor vinyl set at six foot intervals encouraging safe distancing in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

           A set of 15 designs, featuring a mix of instructional messaging, inspirational affirmations, and abstract imagery.

           Installed in pharmacies, grocery stores, and public service facilities citywide.

           Sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and Mural Arts. 

           Playstreets Banner Project

           This project provides artwork for Playstreets, a citywide program which closes designated streets to traffic so that kids have a               safe place to play when school is out. City of Philadelphia Mural Arts and Park & Recreation.

2019  Revolutionary Philadelphia

          Design Finalist for Septa Art In Transit - Independence Hall Station

          Free Paint

          Community painting events at Spruce Street Harbor Park (DRWC) and the Oval+ (Phila Parks)

          Community partners include the Barnes Foundation, Blick Art Materials, Golden Seconds Program, and more. 

2018  Flowering Axes 

          5th Street Vehicular Tunnel Mural, Delaware River Port Authority and Mural Arts

          New Market West

          Mission First Housing Group, Percent For Art Program - Design Finalist

          City Reach Church Mural 

          Tacony, Mural Arts - Design Finalist

2017  Symbols and Sources

Series of 45 street banners along Torresdale Avenue in Tacony in Northeast Philadelphia. Developed from paintings created during artist residency at the Tacony Library and Arts Building (LAB) through Mural Arts

2016 14 Movements: A Symphony in Color and Words

          A mile-long temporary painting installation in center city Philadelphia during 2016 Democratic

          National Convention. Located on Broad Street median spanning 14 blocks south of City Hall

          Supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, DNC Host Committee, and Mural Arts

2014 The Near Future

Temporary painting installation at the Spruce Street Harbor Park, Philadelphia, PA

Collaboration with Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Art in the Open, and InLiquid

2012  Here Is Your Mirror

Temporary public painting installation at “pop-up garden” near Rittenhouse Square. Collaboration with Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Mural Arts. Located at 19th and Walnut

2011 Look Long and Look Good

Installation of 30 public paintings located on Main Street in Manayunk

Collaboration with Mural Arts, Manayunk Development Corporation
 

Residencies and Artist Talks:

2023 Studio Visit - Mural Arts Institute

2022 Digital Studio Visit - Mural Arts Institute

2020 Guest Speaker / MFA Studio Visits at Purdue University

2018 Guest Artist for studio visits with undergraduates at Tyler School of Art

2017 Guest Speaker at Teacher Institute at the Barnes Foundation

         Artist Talk and Workshop demonstrating approach to community art and public art practice at                       

         the Teacher Institute at the Barnes Foundation, a professional development program for teachers

         Tacony LAB Artist Residency

         A civic improvement-focused residency, housed in a storefront library on the Torresdale Avenue                                                               Commercial Corridor in Northeast Philadelphia. Mural Arts

2013 There Is No

Series of over 100 paintings, programming, and exhibitions through InLiquid

Developed through a teaching residency addressing urban violence at the Covenant House in Kensington through the Mural Arts 

2012 Arts & Artists Outdoors

Resident artist leads after school program for ages 10-14 in creating artwork inspired by outdoor spaces and nature.

City of Philadelphia Depts of Parks and Recreation, Mural Arts 

Piccoli Rec Center, Juniata, Philadelphia, PA

2011 Arts & Artists Outdoors

Resident artist at after school program for ages 10-14, creating artwork inspired by outdoor spaces and nature.

City of Philadelphia Depts of Parks and Recreation, Mural Arts

Feltonville Rec, Feltonville, Philadelphia, PA

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Awards and Recognition:

2022  Velocity Fund Award

          TD Charitable Foundation Grant

          Art Is PHL (Round 1) - A Project of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Fund for Art and Civic Engagement

          with support from the Knight Foundation

2021  Teaching Artist Grant - Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation

          Art Is Essential Grant - A Project of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Fund for Art and Civic Engagement

          with support from the Knight Foundation

2020  Nominated for United States Artist Fellowship

2017  Public Art Network Year in Review - Americans for the Arts

14 Movements: A Symphony In Color And Words was selected as outstanding public art 

2009  Art and Art Education Achievement Award In Painting (Tyler School of Art)

2009  Faculty Award In Art/Art Education for Strong Studio Work (Tyler School of Art)

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Selected Curatorial Projects:

2021 Studio K.O.S.: The Continuing Legacy of Tim Rollins and Kids of Survival

         (Selected works from 1987 - 2020) at Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2020  Once Home, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2019  Material Message, Thomas Hunter Projects, New York, NY

2018  Let’s Connect - Guest Curator, The Barnes Foundation & Mural Arts

         Entrances and Exits, The InLiquid Gallery

         Winged Woman: The Art of Arlene Love and Contemporary Parallels, The Painted Bride

2017 Configuration: Nicholas Kripal, Park Towne Place North Tower Gallery

Vibrant Affects, Thomas Jefferson Hospital Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, presented by Revolvd

2016 Breaking Forward, Lacey & Phillips Gallery

Output Art, CRUXspace Gallery

2015 The City Real & Imagined, The Painted Bride

Simulate/Permeate, Rowan University Gallery

2014 Noise, The Philadelphia Art Alliance

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Collections:

Avira Schuylkill Yards, Philadelphia, PA

Capital One, Wilmington Delaware

Deloitte, Philadelphia

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Temple University - Fox School of Business - Alter Hall 

The University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School - Colonial Penn Building

The Free Library of Philadelphia

Private collections in Philadelphia and the surrounding area; New York, NY; Baltimore, MD; Portland, ME; and beyond.

 

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Selected Bibliography:

“Temple Takes on UN Art Challenge, Forges Path Toward Equality”, Rayna Lewis, Temple New, 2021

“Street Cred, in Paint and Ceramics”, Edith Newhall, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2019

"The Terrible and the Beautiful, Lugo and Tomezsko’s ‘Wynorrific Times’ at Wexler Gallery" Natalie Sandstrom, Artblog, 2019

“Banner Day in Tacony”, William Kenny, Northeast Times, 2017.
“The Story Behind the Broad Street Center Lane Mural for the DNC”, Jenna Eason,  Billy Penn, 2016.
“Six Artists Reimagine The City In New Exhibit”, Aubrey Nagle, Philly Voice, 2015.
“Wine, Cheese, and Lawyers To Help You Clean Up Your Wrap Sheet”, Michael Mechanic, Mother Jones, 2013.

“A Sugar Coated Reality,” Monica Yant Kinney, Philadelphia, Inquirer, 2012.

“Illustrating Manayunk One Person At A Time”, Chip Schwartz, Knight Foundation, 2011.

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Professional Experience: 

July 2023 - Present

Assistant Program Manager and Lead Artist

Color Me Back Program

Porch Light Program

Mural Arts Philadelphia

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July 2022 - July 2023

Kensington Studio Manager and Lead Artist

Color Me Back Program

Porch Light Program

Mural Arts Philadelphia

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August 2020 - 2023

Adjunct Instructor

Visual and Performing Arts

Widener University

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December 2019 - December 2021

Associate Director of Wexler Gallery

201 N 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

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July 2018 - August 2020

Contributing Writer at PaintGuide Magazine

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May 2018 - December 2019

Gallery Registrar at Wexler Gallery

201 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

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March 2014 - May 2018

Curator, Exhibition Manager, and Preparator at InLiquid Art+Design

1400 N. American St. #314 Philadelphia, PA 19122 

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Freelance Art Installation

2015 - 2019

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October 2011 - March 2014

Programs and Events Coordinator, Philadelphia Art Alliance      

251 S. 18th Street. Philadelphia, PA 

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