From WOMAN 19… in 2026

I am excited to curate and present four exhibitions, complete with artist receptions, to Celebrate Women and Their Art—“From WOMAN 19, in 2026… Art created by women, for women and about women.” What started out as a small presentation by local and regional artists in 2008 has grown impressively to a series of four exhibitions throughout Northeast Ohio in 2026—exhibitions that include artworks from artists in Ohio and across the country.

I am now a Nomadic Curator … have show, will travel! This year I have the honor and privilege to present four separate exhibitions, in January, February, and March, featuring art created by women.

The John J. McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown State University; BK Smith Gallery, Lake Erie College in Painesville; The Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery, Lorain County Community College in Elyria; and UNDERSTORY Gallery at the 78th Street Studios, graciously invited me to be a guest curator.

Each venue will feature works representing a diverse variety of media and visual interpretations, created in oil, acrylic, drawing, collage, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, assemblage art, jewelry, photography, printmaking and mixed media. The exhibition at The McDonough Museum of Art (January 20 through February 28) will feature a mélange of techniques and visual storytelling. The artworks included at BK Smith Gallery (February 6 through March 26) are “inspired by nature.” The works at The Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery (February 19 through March 15) are “figurative.” UNDERSTORY will feature works by “emerging and re-emerging artists” (March 18 through March 20).

Celebrate women and their art with a directory that includes a comprehensive list of women-themed exhibitions:

I will be collaborating again this year with Susan Snipes, artist/owner and founder of UNDERSTORY at 78th Street Studios in Cleveland. We are producing a directory of venues that are showing art created by women and those who identify as women, and will include art openings, open studio events and artist talks. Our mission: To provide a platform for women artists and underrepresented voices, creating a dynamic and inclusive artistic experience for the Northeast Ohio community. We invite artists and galleries to submit information to fromwoman.art. There will be a link to submit information.

EVENTS:

CELEBRATE Women and Their Art: From WOMAN 19, in 2026. Art created by women, of women & about women, curated by Mary Urbas

The McDonough Museum of Art
January 20–February 28, 2026. Closing reception 2-4pm Saturday, February 28
Youngstown State University campus, 525 Wick Avenue, Youngstown. ysu.edu

The BK Smith Gallery
February 6–March 26, 2026. Gallery talk 12:30-1:30pm Thursday, March 12. Closing reception 1-3pm Sunday, March 26
Lake Erie College campus, 391 West Washington Street, Painesville. lec.edu

The Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery
February 19–March 15, 2026 Closing reception 1-3pm Saturday, March 15
Lorain Community College campus, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria. lorainccc.edu

CELEBRATE Women and Their Art: From WOMAN 19, in 2026. Art created by women, of women & about women, curated by Mary Urbas and Susan Snipes, at UNDERSTORY Gallery
March 18–April 17, 2026. Opening reception 5-8pm Wednesday, March 18
78th Street Studios, 1305 West 89th Street, Suite 019, RAMP level, Cleveland. understory.art