WILSON, N.C. — January 26, 2018 — “Interior Veils,” an exhibition featuring the latest works in pastels by artist Maureen O’Neill will be on view in the Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery at Tarboro’s historic Blount-Bridgers House from February 1 until March 16. Hosted by Edgecombe County Arts Council, the exhibition will open with a reception in the gallery on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.
O’Neill, assistant professor of art in the School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts and director of exhibitions and educational programming for the Barton Art Galleries, shares that her newest series of works has been inspired by the Celtic tradition and belief in “thin places,” or spaces where the distance between heaven and earth is close. Her interpretation is that in these spaces, the veil is momentarily lifted, and one sees “God shaped space.”
“Increasingly I am aware that my spiritual life, my mediation and prayer, is not separate from my studio practice, but rather part of it,” she further explains. “It is in this space of making that I feel most connected to living.”
In addition to the exhibition, O’Neill plans to offer a Saturday workshop in pastel. Details regarding this opportunity will be posted on the Edgecombe Arts website.
About the artist —
O’Neill received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Massachusetts and her Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. While at RISD, she received the Award of Excellence for outstanding work as a graduate student and the Brown University Teaching Fellowship. As a practicing studio artist, O’Neill has exhibited throughout the Northeast and Southeast.
Her extensive experience in galleries, museums, and educational programming has provided a strong foundation for the Barton Art Galleries, which includes the Lula E. Rackley Gallery and the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery, two Exhibition Halls, and the Permanent Collection Gallery. The Barton Art Galleries serve as a teaching resource for Barton’s students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.
O’Neill served as an assistant to the chief curator at Holyoke Museum in Holyoke, Mass., from 1988 – 1990, and, in 1997, she served as an assistant to the director of Objects D’Art Gallery in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Later in 1997, she was named an assistant professor of art at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., and later served the college as the gallery director of Carrera Gallery.
O’Neill moved with her family to Tarboro in 2006. She joined Barton College as a part-time instructor in 2007 and added assistant to the gallery director status during the 2012-2013 academic year. She also has served on the Gallery Committee of the Edgecombe County Arts Council as an independent curator for “Southern Exposures,” a photography exhibition featuring the works of Demetrious Noble. Prior to accepting her post at Barton College, O’Neill taught part time as an art instructor for Wesleyan College, Edgecombe Community College, and Edgecombe County Arts Council.
A native of Holyoke, Mass., O’Neill is the daughter of Ruth O’Neill. She is married to Farrar Martin of Tarboro, and they have one daughter, Mary Marshall.
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