Artist Statement

 

Lily was born and raised in Northern Michigan and attributes much of her creative inspirations to the adventures of her childhood growing up on a small island there. It is an island sacred to its native people—a place where the spiritual and natural worlds seem to be separated only by a thin veil. This landscape formed her artistic identity and led her to a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design where she graduated in 2012. Lily’s award-winning work has been in numerous juried exhibitions, invitationals, and permanent public displays. She is now a freelance painter in Lincoln Square, Chicago and her work explores concepts of the spiritual, the natural, and moments of their interaction.

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION
University of Michigan School of Art and Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2012
Studio Art Centers International, Study Abroad, Florence, Italy 2010

EXHIBITIONS
2019    Mackinac Moments, Solo Exhibit, Mackinac Island Public Library, Mackinac Island, MI

2018    Arise, Solo Exhibit, Appellation, Chicago, IL

2016    State of the Art, McGarryBowen Chicago, IL

2016    Art Pop at 5438, Andersonville Arts Weekend, Chicago, IL

2015    Peaceful Mackinac, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island, MI
2015    Puzzles, Riddles, and Enigmas, Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
2014    Places of Mackinac, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island, MI
2012    Artworks by Lily Porter and Kelly Dorman, Sunsets at Stonecliffe, Mackinac Island, MI
2012    Mackinac’s Grand Hotel, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island, MI
2012    Mackinac Island, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, MI
2012    Synthesis, Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
2011    Mackinac Photography, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island, MI
2011    International Exhibition, Slusser Gallery, MI
2010    Invitational Museum Opening, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island, MI
2010    2D Student Art Show, Studio Art Centers International, Florence, Italy
2010    People and Place, Duderstadt Gallery, MI
2009    Collection Connection, Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI

FAIRS
2017    Andersonville Arts Week, Chicago, IL
2017    Crafters and Musicians, Chicago, IL

2017    Women Who Make, Lillstreet Loft, Chicago, IL

2016    Andersonville Arts Week, Chicago, IL

 

PUBLICATIONS
2017    Colorful Mackinac, Contributing Illustrator, Adult Coloring Book with Mackinac State Historic Parks and Mackinac Memories, LLC

2016    Water Beyond the Bridge, Cover Illustration, Novel by Susan Allen
2015    A Grand Adventure, Children’s Book Illustration, Text by Mary Jane Barnwell
2014    Goodnight, Mackinac Island, Children’s Book Illustration, Text by Mary Jane Barnwell

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fortino, Stephanie: “Paintings by Local Artist Bring Light, Water to Space”, Mackinac Island Town Crier, vol. 62, no. 20, September 2015, p. 15-16
Bennett, Macaela: “Artists Capture Places of Mackinac”, Mackinac Island Town Crier, vol. 61, no. 10, July 2014, p. 11-12

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Chippewa Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

Mission Point Resort, Main Lobby, Mackinac Island, MI
Palmer Commons, Ann Arbor, MI
Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy

TEACHING
2019    Workshop Instructor, Plein Air Oil Pastels, Watercolor Cafe, Mackinac Island, MI

2012    Workshop Instructor, Soft Pastels, Mackinac Arts Council, Mackinac Island, MI
2012    Assistant Instructor for Visually Impaired Children, Detroit Institute of Art

CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2010    People and Place, Duderstadt Gallery, Co-Curator

AWARDS & GRANTS
2015    Peaceful Mackinac, Honorable Mention
2014    Places of Mackinac, 2nd Place
2012    The University of Michigan Integrative Project Grant

 

COMMUNITY
Board of Directors, Mackinac Arts Council, 2015-present