During the month of November, the Heartland Artists Gallery will be showcasing the pastel works of accomplished South Bend artist, Mary Meehan Firtl, in an exhibit titled, A Look Back, Moving Forward: A Retrospective in Pastels. Mary’s exhibit comes on the heels of the Gallery’s 32nd Annual Juried Regional Art Exhibit that ended on October 24th and is the final solo featured artist for the 2020 calendar. The public is invited to view her timeless landscapes, still lifes, and more at the Gallery or on the Gallery’s website.
Mary Meehan Firtl, an award-winning pastel artist, received her BFA in painting in 1978 from the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis, Indiana. With a minor in printmaking she was able to find an easy transition into production work at several advertising agencies. While raising her family she kept busy with freelance clients and commissioned portraits. Later she was employed at WSBT and trained on a Mac and expanded her talent as a graphic designer — while also working as the radio station’s promotion coordinator. For over 18 years she served as the station’s courtroom sketch artist — a fast-paced skill set she still continues with today, working quickly, capturing the essence of the scenery experienced on her travels via walking, biking, or hiking.
Since 2006 Mary has worked as a Senior Graphic Designer at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana in the Integrated Marketing Communications department and is the art director of the College magazine, the Courier. She became a charter member of the Northern Indiana Pastel Society in 2006 and continues to work in the medium. Her focus in this show reflects the transition and transformation of her work and the documentation of her travels and love of nature. With COVID, she has found that being outside among the trees and byways of the countryside has brought her to a calmness needed during these trying times. Hopefully you too can enjoy the journey of growth through the subject matter captured along the way.
Mary’s work will be on display at the Heartland Artists Gallery and on its website at www.heartlandartgallery.com through November 21st, 2020. Those interested in purchasing her work or would like to inquire further can call or email the Heartland Artists Gallery in Downtown Plymouth. The works of Heartland’s member artists are also on display and available for purchase during the Gallery’s open hours of Tuesday – Saturday, 10AM – 4PM.
The Gallery’s mission is to support area artists, and to bring and to teach the arts to our community. Our not-for-profit Gallery gives area artists a venue to show and sell their artwork. Activities are made possible in part by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.heartlandgallery.com and find us on Facebook and Instagram. For more information contact the Gallery at 574-316-0264. The Gallery is located at 101 N. Michigan Street in downtown Plymouth.
