Education:          
New York University, New York, New York.   M.A. degree, 1979
Study in Venice, Italy; studio art and art history program of New York University, Palazzo Grassi, 1977-78
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York.  B.F.A. degree with honors, 1974

Distinction:                        
Visiting Artist, American Academy in Rome, 2016
 
Awards:
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, 1985
National Scholastic Art Scholarship, Pratt Institute, 1970
 
Sculpture
Commissions:  
Trinity, 2024, thermoset polymer on aluminum,

84"h X 36"W x 36"D

Commissioned by Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC, Washington, D.C.


Sculpture Garden V, 2021, thermoset polymer on aluminum,
144"H x 48"W x 48"D
Commissioned by Delhi Township, Holt, Michigan.  Business district, exterior.
 
Longest Stream, 2002, polished stainless steel, 14’H x 6’W x 5’D
Commissioned by the City of Grandville, Michigan.  Business district, exterior.
 
Kalamazoo, 2002, etched painted glass, granite, water jets, fiber optic lights,
153”H x 132” W x 132”D
Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Lobby installation.
 
World Map, 2001, powder-coated steel, 16’H x 28’W
Central Wesleyan Church, Holland, Michigan.  Grand Hall installation.
 
Vessel of Life, 1999, painted steel, 120” x 48” x 48"
 Women & Children’s Center; Pathfinder Resources, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
 
Ascent to Victory, 1998, painted steel, 126” x 60” x 48"
RDV Sportsplex (practice facility, etc., for Orlando Magic NBA basketball team, WNBA team and Solar Bears hockey team) Orlando, Florida.  Main entrance hallway installation.
 
Flow Chart I, Flow Chart II, 1997, painted aluminum wall sculptures, 32” x 96" ea.
Baan, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.  Lobby installation.
                             
Sculpture Garden IV, 1996, painted steel, 66” x 27” x 24"
McDermott Will & Emery, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY.  Lobby installation.


Sculpture Garden V, 2021, painted aluminum, 13' x 4' x 4'

Commissioned by Delhi Township, Holt, MI


Exhibitions:

2024

Oliver Art Center, Frankfort, Michigan

Transfiguration (upcycled and repurposed)

Hooked: The Art of Fishing

Summer Exhibition
Gladden Space, Lansing, Michigan
Mary Gillis: Studio Views

2018                     
K.Oss Contemporary Art, Detroit, Michigan
Metalscapes
2016-18               
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Lansing, Michigan
Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2016                     
Wheaton’s Gallery, Mason, Michigan
Paintings, Sculpture, Mixed Media
2013-14               
Maurer Gallery, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
American in Cabo Series, Paintings on aluminum
2014                     
The Runway, Lansing, Michigan
Paintings, Mixed Media
2013                     
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Mason, Michigan
Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2012                     
Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, Lansing, Michigan
Painting, Sculpture, Prints
2011                     
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Williamston, Michigan
Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2009                     
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
ArtPrize,Great Lakes Series, paintings on aluminum
2007, 06               
Cameron Scott Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Paintings and Sculpture
2006                     
Cameron Scott Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Rolls Royce and Bentley, a Celebration of Art and Auto
2004                     
District Arts Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Mary Gillis and Ellen Firestone
2002                     
Gensler, New York, New York
Paintings on Aluminum, Monotypes
2001                     
Burnaby Gallery, Hamilton, Bermuda
New Works Featuring Mary Gillis & Paul Doughty
Paintings on Aluminum and Monotypes
2000                     
Hill Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan 
Particular Vision; Mary Gillis, Carol Hepper, Heather McGill, Michael Flomen,Dennis Oppenheim, Katy Schimert, G. Goldberg, Donald Lipski
1998                     
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan
Regional; Invitational
1997                     
Posner Gallery, Birmingham,Michigan                                                                                          Gallery Artists
1997                     
Yeary von Tol Designers, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures
1996                     
Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dinosaur Sculptures
1996                     
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon Michigan
Tornado Watch!; Invitational
1996                     
Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters; dinosaur sculptures
1996                     
Van Andel Museum Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Yikes!!! They're Back; dinosaur sculptures
1996                     
Posner Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Sculptures and works on paper
1996                     
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mardigian Library, Dearborn, Michigan
Selected Works; Mary Gillis, Karen Klein, Jennifer Reeves
1995                     
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan
Regional 68
1995                     
Alexa Lee Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sculptures and Paintings
1995                     
The Edge Gallery, Pontiac, Michigan
The Vitrier Series
1995                     
E III Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Paintings, Sculptures, Mixed Media
1994                     
Alexa Lee Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sculptures and Paintings
1994, 95, 96        
Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
Sculptures and Paintings
1994                     
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mardigian Library, Dearborn, Michigan
Contemporary American Works of Art on Paper; Mary Gillis, Ida Applebroog, Jennifer Bartlett, Vija Celmins, Leslie Dill, Jim Dine, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Robert Stackhouse, Frank Stella, William Wegman
1993                     
Cilla Scott Design, Royal Oak, Michigan
Selected Works
1992, 93               
R.H. Love Contemporary, Chicago, Illinois
Gallery Artists, 3-Dimensional Collage
1991, 92               
Lemberg Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Gallery Artists, 3-Dimensional Collage
1988, 89               
Shea & Beker Gallery, New York, New York
Invitational, Works on Paper; Mary Gillis, Sol Lewitt, John Walker, etc.
1988                     
Germans van Eck Gallery, New York, New York
Gallery Artists; Mary Gillis, Bard Breivik, Broto, Chris Costan, Heide Fasnacht, Jan Hafstrom, Michael Hardesty, Susan Laufer, Donald Lipski, Clinton Storm
1988                     
Germans van Eck Gallery, New York, New York
Paintings
1988                     
Chicago International Art Exposition, Chicago, Illinois
German van Eck Gallery Artists, Paintings and Drawings
1981                     
Semaphore Gallery, New York, New York
Gallery Artists, Paintings
1979                     
O.K. Harris Works of Art, New York, New York
Invitational; Mary Gillis, Audry Hirsch, Bruce Brooks, Robert MacBride, James Beatman, Christian DeBoschnek, Marjorie Orlando, Gerald Wolfe, Kunie Sugiura
1978                     
Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy
New York University Painting, Drawing and Sculpture Exhibition
1977                     
Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy
New York University Painting, Drawing and Sculpture Exhibition
1978                     
Segno Grafico, Venice, Italy
Lithographs
1975                     
2719 Gallery, Dallas, Texas
Mary Gillis and Gary Barnett, Paintings
1973                     
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas, Texas
North Texas Painting and Sculpture Exhibition
1973                     
Pratt Manhattan Center, New York, New York
Paintings
 
Art in the following Corporate and Public Collections:
Accident Fund National Headquarters, Michigan                   
Baan International, Inc., Illinois
Bank of America, Michigan              
Central Wesleyan Church, Michigan
City of Grandville, Michigan
DaimlerChrysler, Michigan
Davis Polk and Wardwell, New York
Delhi Township, Holt, Michigan 
D. P. Fox Ventures, Michigan
Dykema Gossett, Michigan
Genesys Medsports Complex, Michigan
Grand Valley State University, Michigan
Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Okemos, Michigan
Lansing Board of Water and Light, Lansing, Michigan
Mayco Plastics, Inc., Michigan
McCabe & Co., New York
McDermott Will & Emery, New York
Pathfinder Resources, Michigan
Power Process Piping, Inc., Michigan
Raymond Terry & Assoc., Sussex, England
RDV Sportsplex, Florida
Technimetrics, New York
Triangle Productions, Michigan
X-Rite, Inc., Michigan
Young & Rubicam Detroit, Michigan
 
Selected Reviews and Publications:

  • Erickson, Anne: “Art is ‘Intellectual, Sensual’, Artist Profile, Greater Lansing Woman Magazine, March 2011, p. 46, illustrated.
  • Martin, Ken: “D’art Next Door, A look at local mixed-media artists,” cover photo of Mary Gillis and feature article, Signature Magazine, December 2006/January 2007, p. 32, 33, cover, illustrated.
  • Breithaupt, Christy: “The Art of Politics,” feature article, Hour Detroit Magazine, November 2006, p. 41, 42, illustrated.
  • Swoyer, Megan: “wherefore art,” feature article, Style Magazine, p. 22, July/August, 2006, illustrated.
  • Essenburg, Keith: “City Council approves sculpture,” Community News, The Grand Rapids Press, June 27, 2002, illustrated.
  • Holder, Robin; “Modern Minimalism at Burnaby Show,” review, Bermuda Sun, November 23, 2001, illustrated.
  • Holder, Robin; “Eclectic new show at Burnaby Gallery,” review, Bermuda Sun, p. 37, October 16, 2001, illustrated.
  • “On the Arts Scene,” review, The Royal Gazette, Bermuda, Lifestyle section, October 18, 2001, illustrated.
  • Roach Quarterly, Pam; “Mary Gillis,” feature article, Preview Bermuda Magazine, Arts & Culture, p. 29, October 2001, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Interpretive Art, New sculpture at Women and Children’s Center takes on various forms," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, May 27, 1999, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Sportsplex blends athletics, medicine, art," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday Entertainment section, July 19, 1998, illustrated.
  • Yee, Roger; "Legal Restraint," article about the design of the law offices of McDermott, Will & Emery, New York, featuring photograph of sculpture by Mary Gillis, Contract Design Magazine, May 1998.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Regional exhibit provides bold exposure," review of 70th annual West Michigan Art Competition at the Muskegon Museum of Art, The Grand Rapids Press, Local A&E section, June 23, 1998.
  • Provenzano, Frank; "Posner Gallery offers works that comfort us," review of group show/gallery artists, Detroit Free Press, Sunday Entertainment section, December 22, 1996.
  • Colborn, Marge; "Tree Options," review of metal table-top trees, The Detroit News, Homestyle, Welcome Mat section, November 30, 1996, illustrated.
  • Chargot, Patricia; "You can really dig dinos at these gardens," review of Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters exhibition at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, Detroit Free Press, YAK!, July 1, 1996.
  • Hamilton, Terry Finch; "Monster Veggies," review of Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters exhibition at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, The Grand Rapids Press, front page and Flair section, June 27, 1996, illustrated.
  • Chesley, C.L.; "Selected Works: Mary Gillis, Karen Klein, Jennifer Reeves," exhibition catalogue, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library, February 1996, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Design studio presents rooms with a view," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, Flair Weekend section, October 20, 1995, illustrated.
  • Cantu, John Carlos; "At Alexa Lee, art that rewards a 2nd glance," review, The Ann Arbor News, Sunday entertainment section, August 13, 1995, illustrated.
  • Convissor, Kate; "Mary Gillis," article, Grand Rapids Magazine, Preview, p. 48, August 1995, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Parade home is gallery for works by area artist; Contemporary paintings are successfully integrated into traditional interior," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, entertainment section, May 29, 1995, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Looks can be deceiving," review, The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday entertainment section, January 29, 1995, illustrated.
  • DeVries, Cherilyn; "Local artist's work communicates in many ways," article, East Grand Rapids Cadence, Advance Newspapers, entertainment section, January 11, 1995, illustrated.
  • Krissoff, Sylvia; "Abstractionist opens EIII studio and gallery," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, entertainment section, December 29, 1994, illustrated.
  • Cantu, John Carlos; "New York artist's show 'a purist's delight'," review, The Ann Arbor News, November 27, 1994, illustrated.
  • Bolling, G. Fredric; "Mary Gillis, New Paintings and Sculptures," exhibition catalogue, Alexa Lee Gallery, November 1994, illustrated.
  • Bolling, G. Fredric; "Contemporary American Works of Art on Paper," exhibition catalogue, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library, November 1994, illustrated.
 
_______________