Mary Palmer is an Oregon based artist and art educator. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Studio Art from Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL. She has a Masters in Teaching Visual Arts Education from Columbia College Chicago and a professional educator's license with an endorsement in Visual Arts for K-12. She is AP College Board certified to teach AP Studio Art. She has taught a myriad of classes including Introduction to Art, Art Foundations, 2D Studio, 3D Studio, Ceramics, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Yearbook, and AP Studio Art. She currently teaches Introduction to Art, Art II, Independent Study, Yearbook and advises Art Club full-time at Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon.
Palmer has exhibited at Lakes of Fire, New Zone Gallery, NYCH Gallery, Arcade Gallery, Chicago Art Department, Igloo Collective, Morpho Gallery, Elmhurst University, Columbia College Chicago and Lacuna Artist Lofts. Palmer live paints, teaches workshops and enjoys participating in collaborative and interactive art. She works primarily in fiber arts, drawing, painting, sculpture and art installations. She has also served as the artist in residence at The Garden of Wonders Community Garden.
Palmer founded, directed and curated Three Seeds Gallery in Chicago, Illinois. She received a grant from Great Lakes Experimental Art in 2020 for Ancient Earth Altar, an interactive outdoor art installation in honor of the Summer Solstice and the theory of panspermia. She was the recipient of an art grant from Precipitation Northwest in 2024 for Bee One With the Flowers, a fiber art based installation using natural pigments, paper, wool and cotton to create giant flower sculptures. She creates surreal and fantastical portraits, dreamscapes and sculptures that focus on the theme of interconnection with nature. She often depicts solitary women in natural scenes in a philosophical attempt to reconcile them with their estranged environment. More of Palmer’s art and a documentation of her artistic process can be viewed at her instagram @marypalmer336
The artist is currently taking commissions and her art is for sale. Contact at marypalmer@springfield.k12.or.us