Patricia Zinsmeister Parker's career spans four decades, and her work is best described as narrative abstract expressionism. Her painting methodology is based on a well honed sense of intuition acted upon with random gestures, which eventually suggest the content of the paintings and prints. The subject matter (iconic shapes, symbols and color tonalities) comes together in the ‘’soup’’ of pigment, collage and ideas which evolve with the flow of physical activity.
Parker was an adjunct professor at the University of Akron in the School of Art from 1978-1998, During the same time she was establishing an impressive exhibition schedule. She was the first female painter to exhibit work in the Cleveland Museum’s “The Invitational: Artists of Northeast Ohio,” an exhibition honoring regional artists. “Cleveland Collects Contemporary Art,” a major exhibition at the museum, showcased a large painting “Art” from the collection of the Jones Day law firm. She has had solo shows at major museums and universities throughout Ohio, including a major retrospective at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown. In 2005, the University of Akron hosted a solo exhibition of her paintings, prints and drawings. Cleveland State University held a solo show of paintings in 2007, and in 2010 Parker was invited to participate in the “18th Annual Women’s Invitational” at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. The Canton Museum held an exhibition of her paintings (“Director’s Choice”) in 2011. Other venues include Washington, D.C., Chicago and Xiamen University in southern China and Xian University in central China. Parker’s paintings are included in numerous corporate collections such as Kaiser Permanente, B.P. America, The Ritz Carlton, Forest City Inc., The City Club of Cleveland and the law firm of Baker & Mc Kenzie (Chicago, Illinois). Her work is also represented in the collections of Cleveland law firms Jones Day, Hahn Loeser & Parks, Benesch Friedlander and Squires Sanders and Dempsey.
Parker’s paintings are represented in the collections of the Akron Art Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, the Canton Museum of Art, Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, Archives of American Art (Smithsonian Institution) and Artists Archives of the Western Reserve. Parker was recognized by the Senate of the State of Ohio for induction into the Hall of Fame for contributions and achievements in Art. She is represented by The Harris-Stanton Gallery in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio, and is a Founding Member and Archived Artist in the Artists Archive of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.
Parker holds B.F.A., M.A. and M.F.A. degrees from Kent State University, and pursued independent study from 2004-2008 at the Instituto de Allende, Mexico.
Resume of Patricia Zinsmeister Parker
EDUCATION / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2009 University of Akron, School of Art (Independent Study, Printmaking)
2001-2008 Instituto de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Independent Study
1981 M.F.A. Degree: Kent State University
1978-2000 Adjunct Professor University of Akron, School of Art, Akron, Ohio
1975 M.A. Degree: Kent State University
1973 B.F.A. Degree in Painting: Kent State University, Kent, OH
1953 Attended Ohio University (Academic Scholarship )
1944-1949 Attended the Cleveland Institute of Art (Gifted Children’s Program)
1934 Born in Cleveland, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1956 Fashion Illustrator for Polsky’s Department Store, Akron, Ohio
1955 Designer for American Greetings Corp.
Selected COLLECTIONS (Corporate & Private)
Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland, Ohio)
Akron Art Museum (Akron, Ohio)
Gloria Getty (San Francisco, CA)
The Federal Reserve Bank (Cleveland, Ohio)
Ann Gund (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
Jones Day, Reaves & Pogue Law Firm (Cleveland, Ohio)
Hahn, Loeser & Parks Law Firm (Cleveland, Ohio)
Ronald McDonald House (Cleveland, Ohio)
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Art Collection (Cleveland, Ohio)
University Hospitals (Cleveland, Ohio)
Artist Archives of the Western Reserve (Cleveland, Ohio)
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)
Butler Institute of American Art (Youngstown, Ohio)
Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management (Cleveland, Ohio)
Canton Museum of Art (Canton, Ohio)
City Club of Cleveland
Massillon Museum Permanent Collection
Kent State University (Kent, Ohio)
Selected EXHIBITIONS & AWARDS
The May Show, Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland, Ohio); 1990, 1989, 1987, 1985, 1982, 1981,
1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976.
Awarded Two Juror’s Awards in Painting, 1989
Awarded Two Juror’s Awards in Painting, 1985
Awarded Best in Show Award in Painting, 1982
Awarded Juror’s Award for Painting, 1980
Awarded Juror’s Award for Painting, 1979
Awarded Juror’s Award for Painting, 1978
Awarded Two Juror’s Awards in Painting, 1976
Tables for Two Two person Exhibit, Huntington Civic Center of Cleveland, Ohio 2019
Stark County Artists Exhibition, Massillon Museum (Massillon, Ohio) 2019
Solo Exhibition of Cave Paintings and Paintings on Canvas, The School House Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio) 2019. Curated by Herb Ascherman
Invitational Alumni Exhibition, Kent State University Downtown Gallery (Kent, Ohio) 2018. Curated by Anderson Turner
Parallax Contemporary Juried Exhibition, (Akron Ohio) 2018. In conjunction with Front International Triennial
Received Cleveland Arts Prize Nomination, 2018
Exhibition of Small Works, John Strauss Gallery (Canton, Ohio) 2018
Invitational Group Exhibition, The Painting Center, (New York City) Chain Reaction. 2018
Heights Arts Gallery Inaugural Members Show, (Cleveland, Ohio) 2018
Member’s Exhibition, Summit Artspace Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio) 2018
Chain Reaction Invitational Exhibition, The Painting Center, New York, NY 2018.
82nd Midyear Invitational Exhibit, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, 2018.
Art Box Projects. Selected to participate in the New York Art Week in March of 2018. ARTBOX Gallery was founded in
Switzerland in 2017
Invitational Group Exhibition, Zygote Press (Cleveland, Ohio) 2017
Group Invitational Exhibition, ArtNeo (Cleveland, Ohio), 2017
The New Now Invitational Exhibition, Cuyahoga Community College (Artists Archives of the Western Reserve), 2016
Group Exhibition (Drawing Invitational), Kent State University Stark Campus (Canton Ohio) 2016.
Invitational Exhibition, Kent State University Residence of the President, 2015
Balance, Two Artist Exhibition of Paintings, Bonfoey Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio), 2015
The Archives Speak, Insights and Images of Ohio Artists Exhibition on the occasion of the landmark publication of the book
Archives Speak. Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (Cleveland, Ohio), 2015
The New Now Invitational, Cuyahoga Community College Gallery East (East Campus, Highland Hills, Ohio) 2015.
Lemons acquired by The Cleveland Foundation for its permanent collection, 2014
Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Intown Club (Cleveland, Ohio) 2014
Parker’s Playground, Solo Exhibition, Shaker Historical Society (Shaker Heights, Ohio), 2014
100 Artists of the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Large-format art survey book;
E.Ashley Rooney, author. Schiffer Publishing, 2012
Abstract Allure, Two Artist exhibition, Kent State University Stark Campus (North Canton, Ohio) 2012
Painting in the Dark, Solo Exhibition and Catalog of Paintings on Canvas, Kent State University Downtown Gallery (Kent, Ohio), 2012
Women in Aprons, Two Artist exhibition of prints, Zygote Press Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio) 2011
Introspection, Two Artist exhibition, Harris Stanton Gallery (Akron, Ohio) 2011
Solo Exhibition of Paintings & Drawings, Arts Collinwood Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio) 2010
Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Installation, Kent State University Stark Campus, 2008
Eye Need Your Vote, Solo exhibition of paintings, drawings and installation piece. Show Catalog published. Artist Archives of the Western Reserve,
The Great Grid, Solo exhibition of new work, paintings and sculpture. Cleveland State University. Exhibition catalog published by C.S.U. 2007.
Two Artist Exhibition, Cleveland Artists Foundation, 2006.
Art in Medicine Exhibition, Highlights from the Cleveland Clinic Collection. Exhibition catalog featuring the painting
Blue Bones from the clinic collection, 2005.
A Piece of My Mind, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings, and Monoprints. Exhibition Catalog published. The University of Akron (Akron Ohio), 2005.
22nd Women Artists, a Celebration! Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, 2004.
Color Matters, Solo Exhibition at The Massillon Museum of Art (Massillon, Ohio); curated by John Klassen. 2001.
Venus de Milo Suite & Visage Suite, Solo Exhibition of paintings. Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (Oberlin, Ohio). 1999.
Solo Exhibition of Self-Portraits. The Bonfoey Co. Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio). 1998.
Awarded Educational Research & Development Grant. Funded by The University of Akron (Ohio). 1996.
Recognized by the Senate of the State of Ohio for Induction into the Hall of Fame for achievements and contributions to Art. 1994.
Solo Exhibition (Room Installation). William D. Ginn Gallery at the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art (Cleveland, Ohio). 1994.
Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings. Rike Center Fine Art Gallery, University of Dayton (Dayton, Ohio). 1990.
Solo Exhibition of Paintings. Akron Art Museum (Akron, Ohio). 1990.
Solo Exhibition of Paintings & Drawings. Cincinnati Artists Group Effort (C.A.G.E.). 1990.
Retrospective of Paintings. Butler Institute of American Art (Youngstown, Ohio). 1988.
Solo Exhibition (selected by statewide competition). Emily Davis Gallery at The University of Akron (Akron, Ohio). 1988
Solo Exhibition of Paintings & Drawings. Joyce Porcelli Gallery (Cleveland, Ohio). 1988.
Solo Exhibition of Paintings. Denison University (Granville, Ohio). 1987.
Kent Blossom Program Scholarship, Kent State University (Kent, Ohio) 1977
REVIEWS & ARTICLES
Visual Arts Showcase. Mark Keffer, Around Kent, Volume 14, 2017
“Emerging Stories” Exhibition at Harris Stanton Gallery. Kent State University Director of Galleries
Anderson Turner, Akron Beacon Journal Sunday Life edition, April 2, 2017
Akron Music, Art and Culture (cover photo of painting “Frieda”). The Devil Strip Magazine, Volume #3, March 2017
Canvases of the Unconventional. The Plain Dealer, December 23rd, 2016. Nikki Delamontte.
Art Talk. Cleveland.com Founders Day exhibit, AAWR, 2016. Review by Nikki Delamotte,
Arte Timeline. published in the Canton Museum of Art’s newsletter. April 20th, 2015. Mark Spanner.
A Righteous Left Hand. Review of the exhibit Heads or Tails at Translations Gallery (Canton, Ohio). Artwach Blog, January 8th, 2014. Tom Wachunas.
Kent State Downtown Art Gallery Opens Vibrant Exhibit by Alumna. Review of Painting in the Dark Exhibition,
Kent State University. Events and Developments Magazine, June 25th, 2012.
In Pursuit of Possibilities. Review of Director’s Choice Exhibition at the Canton Museum of Art. . Artwach Blog, May 21st, 2011. Tom Wachunas
Museum Puts Women Artists in Spotlight. Review of Director’s Choice exhibition at the Canton Museum of Art. The Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio), June 12th, 2011. Dorothy Shinn.
Five Women’s Artistic Perspectives. Review of Director’s Choice at the Canton Museum of Art. Canton Repository, May 20th, 2011. Dan Kane.
Review of The Great Grid exhibition at Cleveland State University. Angle Arts Journal, Vol. 31, 2007. Liz Bly.
Review of The Great Grid Exhibition at Cleveland State University. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 16, 2007. Steven Litt.
The Great Grid: Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On. Patricia Zinsmeister Parker’s very large paintings at C.S.U.
The Free Times Weekly, Volume 14, Issue January 24, 2007. Douglas Max Utter.
The Great Grid: Recent Works by Patricia Zinsmeister Parker. Angle Magazine, March-April Issue, 2007. Liz Bly.
Pieces of My Mind Review of exhibition of paintings. Connections: The University of Akron Newsletter. The University of Akron, 2006
.
Color Matters. Dialogue Arts Journal, July/August 2001. Review of exhibition Color Matters at the Massillon Museum. Jeanne Fryer-Kohles.
Art Honors Poetry. Akron Beacon Journal, April 22, 2001. Review of exhibition Color Matters at the Massillon Museum. Dorothy Shinn.
Nudes, Murals Illuminate Inward Journey. Columbus Dispatch, May 13, 2001. Review of exhibition Color Matters at the Massillon Museum. Jeanne Fryer-Kohles.
Powerful Messages Of Paintings Come From Unrefined Style. Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2001. Review of exhibition Color Matters at the Massillon Museum, by Dan Tranberg.
Creative Genius. Dialogue Arts Journal, January/February 2001. Jeanne Fryer-Kohles.
Color Matters. Review of the Exhibition. The Canton Repository, April 6, 2001. Dan Kane.
Exploring a World of Fantasy. Akron Beacon Journal, November 6, 1990. Dorothy Shinn.
Retrospective: Patricia Zinsmeister Parker. Butler Institute of American Art , The Plain Dealer, Friday, September 9th, 1988 Helen Cullinan.
Review of work in New Art Examiner. September 1988. John Bryum.
Review of work in Dialogue Arts Journal. March/April 1988.
Six Aspects of Reality Painting Exhibition Review. Dialogue Art Journal, May 1984.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Art, Washington, D.C. Vol. 20, No. 3, page 25, Dennis R. Barrie, Artists in Residence, 1980.
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