Stone Ridge

Artist wins prestigious fellowship grant

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One of Marbletown’s own was recently named a USA Fellow by United States Artists (USA). Metalsmith and educator, Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, a contemporary artist from Stone Ridge was awarded a Fellowship Grant for Artistic Excellence in the amount of $50,000.

Mimlitsch-Gray grew up in South Jersey and spent some time in Philadelphia but moved to this area in 1993 when she accepted a position at SUNY New Paltz as Assistant Professor in Metal. She and her husband moved to Stone Ridge in 1995 and she still teaches at SUNY New Paltz but is now Professor of the Metal Program in the Art Department. Mimlitsch-Gray holds a BFA from Philadelphia College of Art and an MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan.

Mimlitsch-Gray has lectured internationally and her work has been exhibited broadly in such distinctive galleries as the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh; the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum to name but a few. She is also the recipient of many distinguished fellowships, awards, and honors. She was awarded a Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in Teaching at the State University of New York in 1998.

As an artist, Mimlitsch-Gray is very well recognized in the field of metalwork. She uses a variety of metals when working and many of her sculptures are based on our preconceptions of everyday objects and what those objects are used for. Mimlitsch-Gray then alters those objects’ normal state of being and takes them to an entirely new place. Her metal works are contemporary but have a strong connection with history. She has been aptly described as a contemporary artist that revels in the blur zone existing between craft, art, and design.

Over the past seven years, United States Artists has allocated $17.5 million to this country’s most innovative artists. Mimlitsch-Gray was understandably excited to receive the prestigious award. “Regarding the grant itself, it is certainly a wonderful thing. Joy came with the honor of nomination,” she said, “A period of introspection ensued, and with it the sense that more work must be done. Then came the phone call that blew open the door, opening my mind to new possibilities. It is an exciting time.”

Mimlitsch-Gray hopes to use some of her USA Fellowship funds to travel to Europe, and to Scandinavia in particular. She is also interested in working with enamel and steel and would like to become more knowledgeable about working with them. In her spare time, Mimlitsch-Gray enjoys being outside and gardening.

You can find out more about Mimlitsch-Gray and see more of her work by visiting her website at mimlitschgray.com.





Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, art