MARY EARLY (b. 1975, Washington, DC)
Mary Early lives and works in Washington, DC. She studied visual art, film, and video at Bennington College, and her work has been exhibited at the United States Botanic Garden, Washington Project for the Arts, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Second Street Gallery (Charlottesville, VA), Hemphill Fine Arts (Washington DC,) Gallery 2112 (Washington DC), the Austrian Cultural Forum (Washington DC), Galerie Im Ersten (Vienna, Austria), Kloster Schloss Salem (Salem, Germany), Kunstlerbund Tubingen (Tubingen, Germany), the American University Museum (Washington DC), the Sun Valley Museum of Art (Ketchum, ID), and the Delaware Contemporary Art Center, among other regional and national galleries.
Her early work incorporated formed concrete, tarpaper and paraffin wax, fabricated wood structures, and, over the last two decades, surfaces coated with wax as a method of preserving or concealing an object within. Recent works have relied solely on solid forms cast in wax, abandoning the use of any permanent armature. Temporary installations are guided by schematic drawings and plans, which then serve as a permanent record.
In 2014 she exhibited her first large-scale installation of wax lines at Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville, VA, followed by temporary installations in response to various historical sites in Salem, Germany (2016) and Tubingen Germany (2017). In 2017 she participated in the exhibition “Twist-Layer-Pour” at the American University Museum, which included Untitled [Curve], an installation of thousands of beeswax lines assembled on the floor of the museum. In 2018 she was commissioned to create a temporary installation at the Sun Valley Museum of Art, Sun Valley Idaho. This work took the form of two intersecting curtains of hanging beeswax lines bisecting a 12’ foot x 18’ foot room, providing an immersive and enclosed viewing space. Recent exhibitions include Līnea XI at ArtEnables, Washington DC (2021) and Līnea Studies, a survey of recent works on paper accompanying a site-specific installation at Gallery 2112, Washington DC (2022). In Fall 2024 she exhibited at WAS Gallery Project Space in Washington DC, and in Summer 2025, the installation Līnea XIV was included in Radius: Land Form at the Delaware Contemporary Art Center.
Early’s work is included in the collections of the US Department of State/Embassy of Panama and Embassy of Jordan, the District of Columbia Art Bank, the District of Columbia Wilson Building Art Collection, the American University Museum (Corcoran Collection) among other public and private collections. She is a recipient of the Artist Fellowship Grant from the DC Commission on Arts & Humanities, Washington DC (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2007).
Early is the director of HEMPHILL Artworks, Washington, DC, and serves on the board of Washington Sculptors Group (2006 – present), the DC Public Library Arts Advsiory Council (2022-present), and has served on the board of Hamiltonian Artists (2015-2024). She handles the work of contemporary artists including Otho Branson, Colby Caldwell, Steven Cushner, Robin Rose, Renée Stout, Julie Wolfe, Workingman Collective, and The Mingering Mike Collection, among others, as well as specializing in the work of Leon Berkowitz, William Christenberry (Estate), Jacob Kainen (Estate), Willem de Looper (Estate), Alma Woodsey Thomas, and the artists of the Washington Color School. She works with living artists and artists’ heirs on long-range planning, and with private and institutional collectors to build and manage significant collections. She has a special interest in public art and community engagement, career development for emerging artists, and the materials and processes of contemporary sculpture.
EDUCATION
Bennington College, Bennington, VT, 1997
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Līnea XIII, WAS Gallery, Washington DC, September 22 – October 27, 2024
2022
Mary Early: Līnea Studies, Gallery 2112, Washington DC
2021
Mary Early, LĪNEA XI, Art Enables, Washington DC
2020
Mary Early: LĪNEA X, Freight Gallery, Washington DC
2017
Mary Early: LĪNEA, Kunstlerbund Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Lines/Rain, AmeSen (雨線), Anaba Project Space, Bethesda, MD
2014
Mary Early: Wax Lines, Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA
2010
Mary Early: Sculpture, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC
2008
Mary Early: Sculpture, 1275 Sculpture Series, 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
Mary Early: Sculpture, Gallery 101 Walsh, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
2005
Mary Early: Sculpture, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC
TWO and THREE PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2017
Twist – Layer – Pour: Sondra Arkin, Joan Belmar, & Mary Early, American University Museum, Washington, DC (catalogue)
2006
I Walk The Line: Mary Early, Linn Meyers, Douglas Witmer, Union Gallery, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
Radius: Land Form, Curated by Abbey McLain and Leslie Shaffer, The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE, June 6 – August 24, 2025
Women Artists of the DMV: A Survey Exhibition, Presented by the Alper Initiative for Washington Art, American University Museum, Washington DC, September 6 – December 7, 2025 (catalogue)
2024
The Collaborative: The DMV Collects the DMV, The Kreeger Museum, Washington DC, October 26, 2024 - February 1, 2025 (catalogue)
2023
The Barlow/Gilotty Collection, American University Art Museum, Washington DC (catalogue)
2022
Looks Good on Paper, National Paper Arts Exhibition, Pyramid Atlantic Gallery, Hyattsville, MD
Allloy Project, Tephra ICA, Reston, VA
2019
BTP Art Fair, presented by Monochrome Collective & By the People, Washington, DC
Carte Blanche: Adah Rose Comes Home to Studio Gallery, Studio Gallery, Washington,DC
2018
Bees, Sun Valley Museum of Art, Sun Valley, Idaho
MORE or LESS, HEMPHILL Fine Arts, Washington, DC
Another Dimension, DCAC, Washington, DC
Trawick Prize Finalists Exhibition, Gallery B, Bethesda, MD
2017
Lending Library, Presented by Beltway Public Works at Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, DC (2017-2018)
Sondheim Award Semi-Finalist Exhibition, Decker & Meyerhoff Galleries, Baltimore, MD
Carte Blanche, Adah Rose Gallery, Bethesda, MD
Sculpture NOW 2017, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
Alchemical Vessels, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Washington, DC (catalogue)
2016
Salem2Salem 2016 Fellows Exhibition, Historische Bibliothek, Kloster Schloss Salem, Salem, Germany
Hope Chest, Galerie Im Ersten, Vienna, Austria
A Consideration of Bees, Chroma Projects, Charlottesville, VA and Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville, VA
2015
Hope Chest, Austrian Cultural Forum, Washington, DC, and Eastside International, Los Angeles, CA
Flock, Revolve, Asheville, NC
AFP15 Visual Arts Fellows Exhibition, Gallery at 200 I Street SE, DC Commission on the
Arts & Humanities, Washington, DC
Select 2015, Washington Project for the Arts at Artisphere, Arlington, VA
2014
Sculpture NOW 2014, American University Museum, Washington, DC (catalogue)
Give & Take, Point of View Exhibition Series, Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville, NC
Artist Fellowship Grant Applicant Exhibition, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Washington, DC
Shelf Works, Petworth Citizen, Washington, DC
2013
Salem2Salem 2013 Fellows Exhibition, Salem Art Works, Salem NY
REPRESENT, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC
Alchemical Vessels, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Washington, DC (catalogue)
2012
Signals: Art from a New Washington School, District of Columbia Art Center, Washington, DC
Wax Works, The Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
Salem2Salem 2012 Fellows Exhibition, Neuen Museum, Schloss Salem, Salem, Germany
BioLogical, Cary House Gallery, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY
Honey, Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, NC
Paperazzi, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2011
Modern & Contemporary Art Since 1945, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
An Uncommon Thread, Front Room Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Catalyst, WPA’s 35th Anniversary Exhibition, American University Museum, Washington, DC (catalogue)
Synergy, An exhibition of the 2011 Artist Fellows of the DC Commission on the Arts, Gallery 31, Corcoran College of Art, Washington, DC
2010
Informed Design, Longview Gallery, Washington, DC
Cream, Washington Project for the Arts at American University Museum, Washington, DC (catalogue)
On Points, The Front, New Orleans, LA
2009
Cross-Currents: Trends in Contemporary Art Media, Sarah Silberman Art Gallery, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
Flora: Growing Inspirations, U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, DC (catalogue)
The Sketchbook Project, Art House Co-Op, Atlanta, GA
2008
Quart Bag, Civilian Art Projects, Washington, DC
Full Circle, Rosenberg Gallery, Goucher College, Towson, MD
Once Again, Again, Rhythm and Repetition, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
2007
Botanica, Carroll Square Gallery, Washington, DC
Bethesda Trawick Prize Finalist Exhibition, Bethesda, MD
Hemphill Fine Arts at ArtDC, Washington, DC
Colorfield ReMix: Saturated, Heineman Meyers Contemporary Art, Bethesda, MD
Supple, Warehouse Gallery, Washington, DC
5 + 5, Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, DCJCC, Washington, DC
2006
Sculpture Unbound, Edison Gallery, Washington, DC
2 x 10, Salve Regina Gallery, Catholic University, Washington, DC
2005
Seven, Warehouse Gallery, WPA/Corcoran, Washington, DC
2004
Opening on 14th, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC
Hot Damn Fresh Art, presented by DOT Projects & Sightline, Washington, DC
Summer Group Show, Signal 66, Washington, DC
ANONYMOUS, presented by WPA/Corcoran at Flashpoint, Washington, DC
2003
Summer Group Show, Signal 66, Washington, DC
SELECT, WPA/Corcoran, Washington, DC (catalogue)
2001
practice makes perfect, DCAC, Washington, DC
futur skulpture, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
2000
Art-O-Matic 2000, Presented by the Cultural Development Corporation, Washington, DC
1997
No Artificial Flavors, No. B.I.A.S., North Bennington, VT
Thesis Exhibition: Sculpture and Prints, Usdan Gallery, Bennington College, Bennington, VT
1996
No Sanitary Facilities, No.B.I.A.S., North Bennington, VT
Forecast: Clear Skies Ahead, The Rock Creek Gallery, Washington, DC
1995
Echo Structures, MassMOCA, North Adams, MA
CITATIONS / PUBLICATIONS
Jenkins, Mark, In the galleries: Artists deliver unique perspectives on found objects, The Washington Post Sunday Arts, June 5, 2022, page E11
Celarier, Eric, Reviews: Mary Early Līnea Studies, East City Art, June 2, 2022
Jenkins, Mark, In the Galleries: Līnea XI Exhibition Review, The Washington Post, January 14, 2022
Cohen, Jean Lawlor, Interfering with Space: A Conversation with Mary Early, Sculpture Magazine, December 2018, p. 54-59
Jenkins, Mark, In the galleries: Turning the commonplace into uncommonly fine art, The Washington Post, September 21, 2018
Rousseau, Claudia, The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, East City Art Reviews, September 13, 2018
Tanguy, Sarah, Twist-Layer-Pour, American University Museum, exhibition catalogue, published 2017
Sculpture Now 2014, American University Art Museum, exhibition catalogue, published 2014
Alchemical Vessels, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, exhibition catalogue, published 2013, p. 77 Hunsinger, Susan, Collect Call, DC Magazine, December 2011
Moyer, Twylene, Complexity In Simplicity, Sculpture Magazine, Jan/Feb 2011, Vol. 30, No. 1, p 54-57
Nathan, Emily, Brooklyn Local, Artnet.com, January 25, 2011
Mahoney, J.W., Catalyst, Exhibition Catalogue, November, 2010
Capps, Kriston, Critic’s Picks: Mary Early, Artforum online, July, 2010
O’Steen, Danielle, Hive Queen: Mary Early’s Beeswax Sculptures at Hemphill Fine Arts,
Washington Post Express, July 8, 2010, page E3
Collection Catalogue, Embassy of Panama, US Department of State, 2010
Flora: Growing Inspirations, 2009, US Botanic Garden (Exhibition Catalogue)
Capps, Kriston, Washington, DC: 36 Artists in 36 Hours, Art In America, December 18, 2009, web publication
Magner, Jim, Art & The City: Artist Profile, The Hill Rag, July 2009, p. 112-113
Washington Post Express: Weekend Pass, November 13, 2008, p. 76
Strouse, Jean, Functional Aesthetics, Architectural Digest, October 2008
Mahoney, J.W., Report from Washington, DC, Art In America, May 2008
Capps, Kriston, Arts|Gallery, Washington City Paper, February 1, 2008, p. 46-47
Around Town Art, WETA/PBS, February 2008
Gayer, John, 5+5, Washington, ArtPapers, July/August 2007, p. 75-76
9 News Now, Interview by Becky Diamond, April 27, 2007
O'Sullivan, Michael, 5+5: The Equation Works Only In Theory, The Washington Post, March 23, 2007
Tierney, Robin, 5+5=Great, The Examiner, March 5, 2007
Gallery Notes Interview, March 2007
Tanguy, Sarah, Reviews, Washington, DC: Mary Early, Sculpture, July-August, 2006, p. 71-72
Capps, Kriston, Top Ten Gallery Shows From 2005, dcist.com, December 30, 2005
O'Sullivan, Michael, When is a Gallery Visit of Value?, The Washington Post, December 2, 2005
Jenkins, Mark, Artifacts: Guess Works, Washington City Paper, May 21, 2004
Dawson, Jessica, Sweet Sixteen: Summer at Signal 66, The Washington Post, August 21, 2003
O'Sullivan, Michael, Dog Days Get Some Bite at Signal 66 Show, The Washington Post, August 8, 2003
Flanagan, Faith, Before The Paint Dries, Columns, www.cultureflux.com, November
2002
Dawson, Jessica, No Longer Cast In Bronze: Sculptors Melt Art’s Traditional Boundaries, The Washington Post, June 28, 2001
Bennington Alumni Magazine, ed. Godwin, Rebecca T., Fall 2001
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS AND RESIDENCIES
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2025
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2024
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2022
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2020
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2019
Visiting Artist, Salem2Salem Residency, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY, 2019
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2018
Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2018
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2017
Semi-Finalist, Sondheim Award, 2017
Salem2Salem 2016 Artist Residency, Kulturamt Bodenseekreis, Salem, Germany, 2016
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2016
Semi-Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2016
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2015
Semi-Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2015
Salem2Salem 2013 Artist Residency, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY, 2013
Semi-Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2013
Salem2Salem 2012 Artist Residency, Kulturamt Bodenseekreis, Salem, Germany, 2012
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2011
Group Iron Residency, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY, 2010
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2009
Semi-Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2008
Finalist, Bethesda Trawick Prize, 2007
Artist Fellowship, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2007
Residency and Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT, 1997
LECTURES / TALKS / PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The Art Clinic Online (ACO), Guest of Cory Oberndorfer, Hosted by J Jordan Bruns, sponsored by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Maryland State Arts Council, and Montgomery Art Association, August 9, 2025
Artist Studio Critique & Conversation at Brentwood Arts Exchange & Otis Street Art Projects, Sponsored by Gateway CDC, June 25 and 30, 2025
The Collaborative | The DMV Collects the DMV, Panel Discussion, Presented by The Washington Print Club at The Kreeger Museum, December 7, 2025
Mary Early in conversation with art historian Maja Dujakovic, PhD, WAS Gallery, October 27, 2024
Professional Practices Workshop: Pricing Your Work, Hamiltonian Fellows, February 17, 2024
Professional Practices Workshop: Pricing Your Work, Hamiltonian Fellows, May 13, 2023
A Conversation with Di and Lou Stovall, and Will Stovall, with Mary Early, Director, HEMPHILL, Washington Print Club, June 23, 2021
Audiences for Art: Approaching a Gallery, Panel Discussion, Washington Sculptors Group, September 21, 2020
Visiting Artist, Salem2Salem, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY 2019
Gallery Talk: Twist-Layer-Pour, American University Museum, Moderated by Curator Sarah Tanguy, September 28, 2017
Visiting Artist, Student-Invited Lecture Series (SILS), Arizona State University, Herberger
Institute of the Arts, MFA Student Studio Visits / Lecture, 2012
Visiting Artist Talk, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, BFA Student Studio Visits/Lecture, 2011
Corcoran Contemporaries, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC, 2010
Artist Talk, American University Department of Art (Class: The Studio Experience, Instructor Tim Campbell), 2010
Friday Gallery Talks, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC, 2010
Panel Discussion: Cross-Currents, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, 2009
Art & Spirit Coffeehouse Series, St. Augustine’s Church, Washington, DC, 2009
Panel Discussion: 5+5, DCJCC, Moderated by Anne Ellegood, 2007
Gallery Lecture: Professional Practices Series, GWU Class, 2007
Panel Discussion: Sculpture Unbound, McLean Project for the Arts, Moderated by Glenn Harper, 2006
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Exhibition Juror & Curator, Inaugural Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, Washington DC, October 1, 2025 – March 27, 2026
Exhibition Committee: Looking Lack – Look Forward, Washington Sculptors Group 40th Anniversary Exhibition, Martin Jr. King Memorial Jr Library, DC Public Library, Washington DC, June 13 – September 7, 2025
Juror, Annual Open Call, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, 2024, City of Alexandria Office of the Arts, Spring 2024
Guest Speaker/Final Project Critique, Professional Practices, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, Washington DC, Spring 2024 Semester
Exhibition: “Checkin' Out Mingering Mike: D.C. 's Imaginary Soul Superstar,” DC Public Library Arts & Exhibitions, June 7-August 28, 2023
Exhibition Juror & Curator, Level Up, Brentwood Arts Exchange, Brentwood, MD, 2023
Exhibition Juror, Annual Members’ Exhibition, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 2022
Washington Award, S&R Foundation, Review Panelist, 2017 to 2021
Exhibition Juror, “Create/Change,” Hillyer Art Space, Washington, DC, 2017
BFA Student Portfolio Review, Shepherdstown University, 2016
Grant Review Panelist, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, 2015
Festival Judge, Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival/Greater Reston Art Center, 2013
Career Roundtable Panelist, ArtTable, March 23, 2013, Arlington Art Center
Grant Review Panelist: PABC Public Art Building Communities, DC Commission on the
Arts & Humanities, 2012
E8 Panelist: Sculpture, Transformer, Washington, DC, 2011
Fine Arts Department Exhibition Juror, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 2011
Curator, Art Scouts, Arlington Art Center, 2010
Grant Review Panelist: Folk Arts & Traditional Media, DC Commission on the Arts &
Humanities, 2009
Centerpiece Curator, WPA Art Auction and Gala, 2007
Juror, Department of Fine Arts, Georgetown University, 2005
Visiting Artist, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 2001
Guest Artist, Sculpture Department, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, 1999
ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, Washington Sculptors Group, 2006 - Present
Member, ArtTable, 2007 - Present
Arts Advisory Council, DC Public Library, 2022 - present
Board Member, Hamiltonian Artists, 2015 - 2024
Member, Bennington College Alumni Cooperative, 2015 - present, and Washington, DC Chapter Co-Chair
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Alston Bird, Washington, DC
American University Museum [Corcoran Gallery of Art Collection], Washington, DC
Dickstein Shapiro, Washington, DC
District of Columbia Art Bank, Washington, DC
District of Columbia Wilson Building Art Collection, Washington, DC
Polsinelli, Washington, DC
US Department of State, Arts in Embassies: Embassy of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
US Department of State, Arts in Embassies: Embassy of Panama, Panama City, Panama