Biography
Diane Collins 2021
Born 1964, Biloxi, Mississippi
EDUCATION
1997 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1996 University of Sienna Summer Architecture, Sienna, Italy
1984-1989 Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
1985 Hussian School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
SOLO EXHIBITS
2019 Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Crane Arts Building Studio 214, Philadelphia, PA
2006 Kendrick Mill Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Artist’s House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2001 Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
2001 Artist’s House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2000-2003 Open Studios Tour, Philadelphia, PA
2000 Artists’ House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1999 Artists’ House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
GROUP SHOWS
2018 Cerulean Arts Gallery Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
2018 The Barnes Foundation “Let’s Connect Exhibition” Top 20, Philadelphia PA
2017 Cerulean Arts 4th Annual Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Stanek Gallery Invitational “Animal I Become,” Philadelphia, PA
2017 InLIquid Benefit Exhibition, The IceBox, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Rosenfeld Gallery, “Art Alibi and the Anonymous We” Invitational, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Artist’s of the Redwoods, Mateel Gallery, Garberville, CA
2006-2009 PAFA Faculty Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2006 Wayne Art Center, Faculty Exhibit, Wayne, PA
2006 Chestnut Hill Garden Show, Philadelphia, PA
2005 Allen’s Lane Art Center, Mount Airy, PA
2005 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art Faculty Exhibit, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Main Line Art Center Faculty Show, Havorford, PA
2000 J. Funk Fine Art Gallery, Toledo, OH
1998 Artist’s House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1996-1997 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts ASE, Philadelphia, PA
1994 Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
1982 Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford, PA
AWARDS, HONORS AND PRIVATE EDUCATION
William Emlen Cresson Memorial Travel Scholarship (1996), The scholarship afforded 4 months travel and independent study abroad.
Ward Prize in Sculpture (1996)
Philadelphia Water Color Club (1984)
Pennsylvania Federation of Women’s Club (1981)
Connections Magazine with Cover Art (April 2006), Interview
Scott Robinson PHD, TSSF (February 2016), Interview
Work in private collections in the US, London, Tokyo, Barcelona, Sidney and Indonesia.
Studied under Gerald Hoepfner, Painting Conservator (2004-2008)
Studied under Cesar Rufo, Numismatist (1986-1989)
INSTRUCTION
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (2005 – present)
Fleisher Art Memorial (2017 – present)
Wayne Art Center (2006 – 2008)
Main Line Art Center (2004 – 2006)
Allen’s Lane Art Center (2005)
Mount Airy Learning Tree (2003 – 2005)
Private Instruction (2004 – present)
INDEPENDENT WORK AND WORKSHOPS
2018, 2021 Monumental Figure Modeling Assistant to Zenos Frudakis, Glenside, PA
2017 Philadelphia Flower Show; Figurative Contributor to Award Winning Display, Philadelphia, PA
2016, Robert Schwoebel Commission: “African Nymph”, Swarthmore, PA
2007 “Art, Nature, Spirit” lecture and workshop, Ring Lake Ranch, Dubois, WY
SPECIAL SKILLS
Welding and Metal Work
Mold Making
Foundry
Direct Wax Construction
Landscape Design
Wildlife Rescue and Animal Behavioral Guidance
INSPIRATION
In 2008, I purged my belongings to 15 boxes and traveled the U.S. solo in an old RV, then later in an 1983 Chevy Suburban I converted to a camper. I settled in northern California off the grid with only 15 watts of energy managing 40 pristine acres of land, horses and other animals. I sketched, sculpted, worked the garden, and collected and split wood to stay warm. While there I strengthened my intuitive skills and had safe, close encounters with wildlife thanks to that intuition. My only companion was my 127lb well trained dog. The experience capitalized on my previous trip with my Navajo teacher (2003) when I did a two-week vision quest out west that was the rebirth of my childhood intuition after 12 years of being closed off. I reconnected with my organic origins and deep ties to nature and strengthened my personal voice and clarified my creative vision.