Mary Coss

Mary Coss is an Interdisciplinary Visual Artist born in Detroit and currently working in Seattle. Raised in an environment of politics, creative problem solving and mysticism creates a foundation that unfolds in her love of nuance, allusion, and metaphor and inspires an art practice centered in the critical social issues of our time. She has lived throughout the US, and traveled abroad extensively, collecting stories to tell through her artwork. Mary received an MFA from Syracuse University in Experimental Studios, an alternative sculpture and media department. Her allegorical sculpture and installation explores the intersection between nature and contemporary society, integrating sound and light to weave issues of social relevance.

Coss’s graduate work garnered her a University Fellowship and two Ford Foundation Grants. She has received Grant support from NEA, Puffin Foundation, Artist Trust, 4Culture and Seattle Art and Culture. Travel has been integral to her practice, including a cultural exchange and exhibit at Candyland Arts in Stockholm. Residencies include a 3-year installation residence at San Juan Museum & Sculpture Park, Centrum, James Washington Foundation, Willapa Bay, and Playa.

Coss’s extensive exhibition recor...

Master of Fine Arts- Syracuse University, Department of Experimental Studios; College of Visual Art; Syracuse, N.Y (1980);
Graduate Research Grant (1979); Graduate University Fellowship (1979); Ford Foundation Grant (1978 & 1979); Graduate Teaching Fellowship (1978)
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cum Laude - Eastern Michigan University (1977)
Dean’s List (1974-77); Major: Visuals Arts; Minor in Art History and Sociology
Studies in Florence Italy; Drawing and Art History; through EMU (1976)
Continuing Education
Edge Artist Development; Artist Trust; Seattle, WA (2007)
Pratt Fine Arts Center; welding, bronze casting, cast glass (2000-06)
Public Arts Certificate Program- Bellevue Community College (2001)
Secondary Teaching Credential- University of California, Irvine (1983)

Selected Recent Exhibits
2017
“2nd Amendment BookClub” Solo; artEAST Issaquah, WA
2016
KISS FEAR; BONFIRE Gallery; Seattle, WA
The Contemporary Figure; Sculpture Northwest; Bellingham, WA
Public Debt to the Suffragette; Artprize; Grand Rapids, MI
Surge; An exhibit on c/limate Change; Museum of Northwest Art; LaConner, WA
2015
“Traces”; Solo; METHOD Gallery; Seattle, WA
Consume her Demand; Agent C Gallery; Vancouver, BC, 3 person show
NEW YORK NOW! 15; Frieze New York; Factory Art Projects: London/NewYork/Berlin; juried
Interstate Show where I-90 meets I-82; Sarah Spurgeon Gallery,  Central Washington University 
Contemporary Women Artists XVII - Reimagining Femmage; Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles MO
Voices: An Artist's Perspective; WCA; McLoughlin Gallery, San Francisco and gallery nine5, NYC; Online and Catalogue
2014
“Public Debt to the Suffragette”; Solo; METHOD Gallery; Seattle, WA
Arte Laguna Artprize finalist; 8th Annual at the Venice Arsenale; Venice, Italy
Under My Skin: Race in the 21st Century; The Wing Luke Museum, Seattle, WA
“Three Graces”; Outdoor Installation Tollefson Square sponsored by Tacoma Arts Commission; WA
Heaven and Earth; Outdoor Installation at Carkeek Park; Center on Contempora...