About
Donna Collins grew up outside Philadelphia and her interest in painting and drawing dates from her early teenage years. She attended Yale College where she received a BA in Art. From 1980 to 1983 she attended the Graduate School of Fine Art at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1983 with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. Donna presently lives with her husband Art, in Darien, Connecticut.
Artist Statement
My art comes from my love of Nature. The forms of plants and flowers, the shapes of landscape, the sounds of birds, the sparkle of light on water --- all have a part in my inspiration. Above all is color. For me, colors have such energy and beauty that they are an endless source of exhilaration.
My goal as an artist is to stir appreciation, and ultimately joy. I find that making and viewing art keeps me grounded, and connected to the creative spirit which I see manifest everywhere-- in nature, in people and in art.
Awards
2018
Rowayton Arts Center “ Abstraction,” Rowayton, CT, Honorable Mention
2008
Darien Art Show, Darien CT, First Place Painting
Solo Exhibitions
2016
“Paintings of Landscape and Nature,” Darien Nature Center, Darien, CT
“Landlines,” Sotheby’s, Rowayton, CT
Selected Group Shows
2022 "Common Threads", Museum of Darien, Darien, CT
2022 "Abstractions", Art Annex, Norwalk, CT
2021 “It’s a Mod Mod World,” Museum of Darien, Darien, CT
2020 “Time and Again”, Darien Historical Society, Darien, CT
“Virtually Yours”, Darien Nature Center, Darien, CT
“Silvermine Guild New Members Show,” Silvermine Arts Center,
New Canaan, CT
2019 “Creativity is the Key,” Artspace City-wide Open Studios, Yale West Campus, Orange, CT
“Student-Teacher Show,” Rowayton Art Center, Rowayton, CT
2018 “In Conversation,” Darien Historical Society, Darien, CT
“Painted Poetry,” Darien Nature Center, Darien, CT
2017 “Small Tidings,” Darien Nature Center, Darien, CT
“Winter Wonder,” Darien Nature Center, Darien, CT
2014 “Three Artists- Friendships and Discoveries,” Goodfit, Darien, CT
2013 Darien Art Show, Darien, CT
2012 Darien Art Show, Darien, CT
2011 Guest Artists Show, ArtPlace, Fairfield, CT
2009 Plein Air Show, Darien Historical Society, Darien, CT
“A New Chapter,” Darien Library, Darien, CT
2008 “12=One,” Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, CT
“Waterlines,” Soundwaters, Stamford, CT
2007 “Holly Pond,” Darien Library, Darien, CT
“Points of View,” Soundwaters, Stamford, CT
2006 “Cove Island,” Soundwaters, Stamford, CT
2005 “Reflections,” Soundwaters, Stamford, CT
2004 “Other Side of Artists,” Darien Town Hall, Darien, CT
“Saltmarshes,” Soundwaters, Stamford, CT
2002 Holly Pond Painters at Bistro du Soleil, Norwalk, CT
Murals, Darien Nature Center, Darien CT
(commissioned with Holly Pond Painters)
Exhibiting Member:
Silvermine Guild of Artists
Rowayton Arts Center
Founding Member:
The Concepts Group
A group of 12 artists who meet regularly and at times show together.
Holly Pond Painters 1998- 2010
A group of 8 landscape painters who met regularly, exhibited together
and executed a large mural commission.
Experience
Gallery Coordinator, Darien Nature Center, Darien CT Volunteer Position
2017- present
In this capacity I organize and curate art shows in the Gallery of the Darien Nature Center. ( Awarded Volunteer of the Year 2019 by Town of Darien).
Education
BA Art, Yale College, New Haven, CT
MLA Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA
Art Studies
Student of Constance Kiermaier 2006- 2016
Website: donnacollinsart.net
Instagram: Donnacollins_art​
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