Holly Wach

Holly Wach received her BFA in 1996 from the University of North Florida and her MFA from New York Academy of Art in 2001. From 2008 to 2015 she was the Art Education Manager of Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA where she was responsible for bringing over 1000 art classes and workshops annually to Oakland’s most underserved schools. Since moving to Rhode Island she has returned to the studio to create large-scale multifigural pastels and oil paintings.

Holly has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in New York City, Florida, and Northern California. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, most notably the juror’s pick from Pro Arts’ critically acclaimed Juried Annual ’09 and was recently chosen to represent Rhode Island in Figure 50 (2016), a juried online gallery highlighting the top figurative artists in each state.

Holly’s work centers around feminine figures interwoven with powerful forces of nature. We are invited into an intimate paradox of vulnerability and strength, revealed in sensitive arrangement, bold mark-making, and life-size formats.

Holly is currently preparing for several local shows and a solo exhibition at the Morris Gallery of Contemporary Art, Marshall, MO.

2004 The Art Students League, New York, NY
Figure Drawing and Painting
2002 Drawing Marathon, New York Studio School
Studied with Graham Nixon
2001 New York Academy of Fine Arts, New York, NY
Master of Fine Arts, Painting, Suma Cum Laude
1996 University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, Suma Cum Laude

2014: Firehouse Art Center, Black on White, Curated By: Julie S. Finegan, Pleasanton, CA
2013: Walrus, Oakland, CA
2012: Bacchinai, Zza’s. Curator By: Obi Kaufman Oakland, CA
2012: The One’s, Wilkinson Gallery. New York, NY
2011: Solo Exhibition, Zza’s. Curator By: Obi Kaufman Oakland, CA
2009: Juror’s Pick, Juried Annual 2009
Juror: Ali Sobotnik, Pro Arts, Oakland, CA
2009: Auto Body Gallery, Mid Winter’s Dream, Curator: Jacqueline Cooper Alameda, CA
2008: Auto Body Gallery Alameda, CA
2004: Select Student Works, Art Students League New York, NY