Penny McElroy MFA

Penny McElroy is an artist and teacher. After earning a bachelor's degree in social work and working as a counselor for five years, McElroy entered the graduate graphics program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since earning her M.F.A. in 1984, McElroy has taught graphic design, printmaking, and book arts — first at Bethany College in Kansas and, since 1986, at Redlands.

McElroy's artwork spans a broad range of media, from graphic design, drawing, painting, book arts, and printmaking to 3-D ceramic pieces. Recently she has been experimenting with printing and stitching on vintage textiles. McElroy's work has been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad, including recently at the Cal Poly Pomona exhibit Ink & Clay, where her work, el matrimonio de Archimedes, won the University President's Purchase award. Other recent art venues include Whitney Modern Gallery in Los Gatos, ARC Gallery in San Francisco, Skylight Gallery in New York, Gallery 825 in Los Angeles, Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi, India, Cali, Medellin, and Manizales, Colombia, as well as Quilmes, Argentina.

Learn more about Professor McElroy at pennymcelroy.art.

• M.F.A., graphics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• B.A., social work, Alma College

• University of Redlands, Art Department chair
• Bethany College, assistant professor
• Madison Art Supply Company, salesperson
• Hollins College, head resident
• Program for Alcohol and Substance Treatment, counselor

• Book arts
• Collage/mixed media
• Graphic design
• Printmaking

• "Evaluating the AP Portfolio in Studio Art," 2009
• Cover art and book design, Strange Toys by Patricia Geary, 2009
• "a turning night of stars" (solo exhibit), Klemm Gallery, Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan, 2008
• Residency, Siena Heights University, Studio Angelico, Adrian, Michigan, 2008
• "recovered mercies" (solo exhibit), Peppers Art Gallery, University of Redlands, 2007
• "Material Girls" (invitational exhibit), Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, California, 2007
• "Women's Work Is Never Done" (invitational exhibit), Fullerton College Art Gallery, Fullerton, California, 2007
• "East in Eden" (invitational exhibit), Kellogg Art Gallery, Cal Poly Pomona, 2007
• "Summer Stock" (juried exhibit), Gallery 825, Los Angeles, 2007
• Cover art, Camera Obscura by Rebecca Bednarz, 2007
• Lecture: "All This Singing One Song," School of the Visual Arts Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists, New York, 2007

• Elected to the Board of Directors, Redlands Art Association
• Outstanding Faculty Research Award, University of Redlands, 2007
• Juried Membership, Gallery 825, Los Angeles Art Association
• Chief Faculty Consultant, Advanced Placement Studio Art, Educational Testing Service
• Committee Member, Test Development Committee, Advanced Placement Studio Art
• Several Summer Research Grants, University of Redlands

• AIGA
• College Art Association
• Johnston Center for Integrative Studies
• Redlands Art Association
• Southern California Women's Caucus for Art