Subject to Interpretation Exhibit at the Ward Museum

Megan Coyle Ward Museum Exhibit

This week the “Subject to the Interpretation” exhibit at the Ward Museum ended. It was my second group exhibit at a museum, although the Ward Museum is the first museum that has accepted a couple of my collages into its permanent collection. They now own my “Flamingo Dancers” (above) and “Mallard Duck” (below). I’m happy to know that those collages now have a permanent home there – and I also like how the museum owns some work by the illustrator Charley Harper. I’m honored that my collages were in an exhibit that featured a couple of Harper’s pieces.

Megan Coyle Ward Museum Exhibit

Here I am posed in front of my “Mallard Duck” collage in the exhibit. To the left of the piece is a picture of the Duck & Fish book cover – the Ward Museum is also selling my book in their gift shop.

Megan Coyle Ward Museum Exhibit

And here I am checking out my book in the shop.

Megan Coyle Ward Museum Exhibit

Megan Coyle Ward Museum Exhibit

Above is a picture of the Ward Museum – it has a pretty interesting structure. I’m glad I was able to swing by Salisbury, Maryland to check out the show before it ended.

Animals in Paper

Fine Dining for Pandas by collage artist Megan Coyle
Fine Dining for Pandas by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Fine Dining for Pandas.” Collage on paper. 18″x24″
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July 7th – September 29th, 2012
Beatley Alexandria City Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Megan Coyle’s work was on display in a solo show at the Beatley Alexandria City Gallery. The Alexandria City Gallery Program exhibits the artwork of local artists in fifteen city galleries.

As a child, Coyle was always drawn to animals and colorful illustrations. Growing up in the D.C. area made it easy for her to visit the Smithsonian museums. She especially enjoyed visiting the animals at the zoo and seeing the animal exhibits at the Natural History Museum. Coyle continues to visit those places, but now she does it to study and gather inspiration for future works of art.

“Animals in Paper” featured several of Coyle’s new animal collages alongside a few older works of art. Her newer pieces included several 18″x24″ animal collages depicting species that didn’t appear in her previous work. The artwork explored the colorful diversity of animals in nature – with mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Inspired by color and the unique characteristics of different species, Coyle has created familiar images of animals big and small. All the collages were constructed entirely from magazine strips using a technique she calls “painting with paper.” If you were able to stop by for a visit, you could get a closer look at all the layers used for these paper creations.

Made from Magazines Exhibit

Made from Magazines Megan Coyle Exhibit

Today I installed my exhibit over at Shirlington Library – “Made from Magazines.” It features ten of my animal collages and includes some of my newer work alongside older pieces.

Made from Magazines Megan Coyle Exhibit

When you first walk in, you see these two pieces hanging above a table with books propped upright.

Made from Magazines Megan Coyle Exhibit

I like how the space includes white and red walls. It’s a nice contrast.

Made from Magazines Megan Coyle Exhibit
Made from Magazines Megan Coyle Exhibit

This piece is close to the front window.

Anyway, I’m off to get prepared for a couple more exhibits that I have coming up. I have another installation going on next weekend. Whew – busy, busy!

Made from Magazines

Watchful Lion by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Watchful Lion.” Collage on paper. 16″x12″
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July 1st – 28th, 2012
Shirlington Library Gallery; Arlington, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

This solo show featured several of Coyle’s recently completed animal collages. The exhibit explored a variety of species meticulously constructed from bits and pieces of magazine pages. The work showcases how recycled materials can be used to make intricate works of art.

The animal collages were inspired by zoos around the U.S., especially the National Zoo in D.C., as well as museums like the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum.

Shirlington Library has a modern look and feel to it, which made it the perfect venue for Coyle’s unusual collage art. The gallery is part of an arts program that brings local artists’ artwork into public city spaces.

Recycled Art Show

Tree Baby (Firefox) by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Tree Baby (Firefox).” Collage on paper. 16″x12″
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June 1st – 30th, 2012
Arlington Central Library Gallery; Arlington, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Coyle’s “Tree Baby” and “Autumn Afternoons” collages were on display in Arlington Library’s “Recycled Art Show” group exhibit. The show featured artwork by local artists and each work of art was comprised of at least 50% recycled material.

This was Coyle’s second group exhibit at Arlington Library – she previously displayed her work in “The Art of Food” exhibit. She has also had two solo shows there, “Collaging the Figure” and “Select Works from Duck & Fish.”

Since her work is constructed entirely from magazine strips, it was a perfect fit for the show’s theme.

Childhood Memories Exhibit

Girl with Glasses by collage artist Megan Coyle

My “Girl with Glasses” collage is currently on display in the Del Ray Artisans’ “Childhood Memories” group exhibit. The show displays artwork inspired by the artist’s childhood. This particular piece is something I made a few years ago and was actually on display at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center back in 2008.

The “Childhood Memories” exhibit opened on April 6th and will run until the 29th.

 

Subject to Interpretation

Flamingo Dancers by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Flamingo Dancers.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
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April 13th – July 8th, 2012
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Salisbury, Maryland
Map and Gallery Info

Coyle’s “Flamingo Dancers” and “Mallard Duck” collages were recently accepted into the Ward Museum‘s permanent collection. “Subject to Interpretation” was the first group exhibit that the collages were in since they were acquired by the Museum.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is located on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. It promotes wildfowl art and celebrates the Eastern Shore decoy carvers, Lemuel and Stephen Ward – the artists that the Museum is named after.

The exhibit, “Subject to Interpretation,” showcased a wide variety of bird species depicted by different artists. The work explored the movement and form of birds.

Childhood Memories

Girl with Glasses by collage artist Megan Coyle

April 6th – 29th, 2012
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Opening Reception: Friday, April 6th
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

This group exhibit focused on the artists’ childhood. This included artwork inspired by childhood memories like trips, gatherings, experiences, animals, places, or people. The exhibit showcased a variety of artwork by local artists created in all different kinds of materials.

Coyle’s “Girl with Glasses” collage was featured in the exhibit. “Girl with Glasses” was previously exhibited at the Smithsonian Ripley Center as well as the Caton Merchant Family Gallery.

Celebrating Twenty Years in Del Ray

Gorilla by collage artist Megan Coyle

Yesterday I gallery sat for the Del Ray Artisans. Their current exhibition “XX – Celebrating Twenty Years in Del Ray!” includes a variety of artwork depicting all kinds of subject matter. My “Gorilla” collage is in the exhibit and the picture above shows it hanging in this group show.

And now I’m off to gather inspiration for more animal collages as well as a few landscape/cityscape pieces. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

March ARTreach

Polar Bear by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Polar Bear. ” Collage on panel. 10″x10″
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March 3rd – 18th, 2012
Target Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Art Party: Friday, March 16th
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

Megan’s “Polar Bear” collage was on display in her first-ever fundraiser art show, “March ARTreach.” The group exhibit was run by the Target Gallery and the March of Dimes, who teamed up to raise money for both organizations. All artwork on display was made on 10″x10″ wood panels. All proceeds from the show benefitted the Target Gallery’s 2012 outreach programming and the March of Dimes.

About March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that is working to insure every baby is born healthy. It focuses on understanding genetic disorders, birth defects, and other concerns regarding the health of mothers and babies.

About Target Gallery

The Target Gallery is located inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Alexandria. The gallery hosts nine exhibits annually featuring a variety of themes and artists.