MJ BENSON ARTIST
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ABOUT MJ BENSON

Behind the Scenes

“As an artist, I begin with the horizon, its ever steady line of delineation between the spaces of land, sky, sea.
In between are layers and layers of light and color, sprung from my memory but unbound by realism.
I use a framework, a few rules of composition or color, but it’s the tension between what I expect and what the piece is saying that dictates the flow and finish.
I work, and wait, until the profound shifting between place and memory stills itself harmoniously.”


REPRESENTATION
​
Portland Art Gallery


SELECTED EXHIBITS
Taking Up Space, Experiments in the Studio - May 2023
Living Systems - Fluid & Fragile - Governor’s Academy, MA - April - May 2023

Portland Art Gallery - Featured Artist - November 2022
Taking Up Space - experiments, online - May 2022
Stay At Home Gallery Warmth Exhibit - Paris, TN - January-March 2022
Archipelago Gallery - Recent Works - Rockland, ME - October 2021 - February 2022
Brush With Nature, Maine Audubon Society, Plein Air Event and Auction, September 2021
​Maine State House - Recent Work - Augusta, ME - September 2021-February 2022 (solo)
3S Art Space - Transitions & Meditations - Portsmouth, NH, July 2-August 22, 2021
Portland Art Gallery - Featured Artist - 2/2018, 3/2019, 11/2020
Boxed Art Gallery, Tufts University - June 2020
Down East Magazine Art of Giving Gala, Featured Artist - 2017/2018
The Francis, Maine - Recent Works - August-December 2018 (solo)
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Paint for Preservation - 2017/2018
Maine Home & Design Magazine - Ones to Watch - December 2017
School of the Museum of Fine Arts Art Sale - Medici Artist - 2015-2020 (painting)
Yarmouth Art Festival, Yarmouth, ME - October 2016 & 2017
Townsend Art Gallery - Summer 2017 (solo)
Engine Gallery Rumpus Show, Biddeford, ME - February-March 2017

AWARDS
Maine Arts Commission, Project Grant, 2022
Maine Arts Good Idea Grant, 2007


​COLLECTIONS
(photography & painting)
Fidelity
Corcoran Companies
Nancy & William Osgood, SMFA Medici Society
Dan Holland, Goldman Sachs
...numerous US and international collectors

EDUCATION
Harvard University - EdM, 2000 (Arts in Education)
School of the Museum of Fine Art/Tufts University - BFA, 1995 (Photography)
Courses - Haystack Mountain School (Drawing, Pastels, Blacksmithing), Maine College of Art (Painting)

PRESS

Radio Maine Interview #50 - MJ Benson - December 2021
MJ Benson Showing at the Maine State House - Portland Press Herald - 10/31/21
Maine Arts Journal - Members’ Showcase - spring 2021
Portland Art Gallery Artists Guide: Off The Wall, Volume I 2019
Portland Press Herald: Hotel Gets Into Art Game, MJ Benson at the Francis September 10, 2018

Behind the Scenes

Picture
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