Artist Statement
Using symbolism, figuration, and layers of detail, I create oil paintings and multi-media illustrations to construct surreal narratives of the natural world. Drawing from personal observations, dreams, and emotional landscapes, I explore themes of mental health, community, environmental interdependence, and spirituality. Through layered imagery and invented environments, my work invites viewers into spaces where inner and outer worlds merge, encouraging self-exploration, curiosity, and a sense of collective connection. In a time of increasing disconnection—from each other, ourselves, and the environment—my work seeks to reimagine intimacy with nature as a pathway toward healing and shared understanding.
Bio
Maria Uhase is a painter and illustrator based in Northeast Ohio. She earned a BA in Studio Emphasis, with minors in Painting and Drawing, from the University of Akron in 2019. Working in oil, graphite, and mixed media, her figurative, surreal practice explores narrative themes of environmentalism, emotional expression, and metamodernism. Her work is informed by close observation of natural environments and everyday experiences, reflecting an ongoing interest in transformation and interconnectedness. Uhase has participated in national artist residencies, and has exhibited in both group and solo exhibitions throughout Northeast Ohio.
CV
Education:
2015-2019 BA-Studio Emphasis, Minor in Painting, Minor in Drawing, Magna Cum Laude,
Myers School of Art, Honors College, The University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Solo Exhibitions:
Sep 2023 The Last Garden, White Rabbit Galleries, Barberton (OH)
Aug 2022 Ethereal Effigies, Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center, Kent (OH)
Aug 2020 Maria Uhase, Manic on Main Gallery, Wadsworth (OH)
May 2019 Desciscendum, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Mar 2019 The Basics of Horticulture, Bath Nature Preserve, Akron (OH)
Nov 2018 The Basics of Horticulture Honors Thesis, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Group Exhibitions:
2026 Together, Here, Akron Soul Train, Akron (OH)
2025 From WOMAN 19, Lake Erie College, Painesville (OH)
2nd Annual Online Exhibition, ActLoCLE, Cleveland (OH)
Groundhog Show, 21 N. Main St, Akron (OH)
Botanical Show, Lakewood Art Supply, Cleveland (OH)
Mini Swap, This Gallery On 4th, Barberton (OH)
54th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls (OH)
My Hand Was Yours To Hold, Akron Soul Train, Akron (OH)
80th Annual May Show, Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield (OH)
Flora, White Rabbit Gallery, Barberton (OH)
2024 A Trip To The Moon - Soiree & Art Event, Highland Universal Gathering Place, Akron (OH)
Skull and Bones, Emily Davis Gallery, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Chroma Juried Exhibition, White Rabbit Galleries, Barberton (OH)
Groundhog Show, Outside the Box, Akron (OH)
Subtractica, TROPPUS Projects, Kent (OH)
Life Out Of Balance, Emily Davis Gallery, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
2023 It's an Honor to Be Here: Ohio Nature Artists in Their Natural State, Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, Lancaster (OH)
Exquisite Creatures, Troppus Projects Gallery, Kent (OH)
Bazaarbeque Vol. 10, KINK Contemporary Gallery, Cleveland (OH)
Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
2022 Resident Group Show, WMCI Open AIR Program, Gallery 79, Missoula (MT)
EARTH: Our One and Only, Doubting Thomas Gallery, Cleveland (OH)
Artists of Rubber City 33rd Annual Juried Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
2022 Mutual Realms, KINK Contemporary, Cleveland (OH)
Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
Sketchbook Creative - Casual Creations, FJKluth Art Gallery, Kent (OH)
Cabinet of Curiosities: Natural History Mysteries, Institute for Human Science and Culture, Akron (OH)
Surreal by Nature, Akron Soul Train Gallery, Akron (OH)
2021 Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
2020 Creativity in a Crisis, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
She, Her, Hers, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Boschian: Beautifully Bizarre, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Artists of Wadsworth, Manic on Main Gallery, Wadsworth (OH)
2019 Poe’s Garden, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Bounce Innovation Hub Grand Opening, Avant Garden, Akron (OH)
E.J. Thomas Display, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron (OH)
Spring Advanced Painting Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Artists of Rubber City 29th Annual Juried Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
83rd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2nd Annual Myers Sketchbook Show, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Artist Residencies:
Oct 2022 WMCI Open AIR MT, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Polson (MT)
Nov 2021 Akron Soul Train, Akron (OH)
Selected Commissions:
Aug 2023 Ensemble Mural, LAND Studio, Cleveland Public Library - Woodland Branch, Cleveland (OH)
Jun 2021 Fly Trap Painting, University of Akron President’s Office, Akron (OH)
Dec 2020 Holiday Nutcracker Design, Curated Storefront, Akron (OH)
May 2018 Pillars of Character Mural, Lincoln Elementary School, Wadsworth (OH)
Jun 2017 Map of the World Mural, Canton Country Day School, Canton (OH)
Awards, Press & Interviews:
2025 First Place Award, 54th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls (OH)
First Place Award, Flora Exhibition, White Rabbit Galleries, Barberton (OH)
2024 First Place Award, Groundhog Show, Outside the Box, Akron (OH)
Featured Artist for "Life Out of Balance" Exhibition, CAN Journal: Article
2022 Featured Artist, Akron Beacon Journal: Article
2020 Featured Artist, Akron Beacon Journal: Article
Featured Artist, The Devil Strip Magazine: Article
Honorable Mention Award, She, Her, Hers Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Award, Boschian: Beautifully Bizarre Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
2018 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Gillette Study of the Arts Abroad Scholarship (Paris), Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Outstanding Student Gillette Academic Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Third Place Award, 82nd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2017 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Studio Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2016 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Studio Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2015 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)