Artist Statement

My paintings are love notes to color. Color serves as a language to signify feeling, a system for navigating the interstitial distance between line and the space it inhabits, a bridge that links the expansion of gesture and the contraction of the material. This act of painting embodies notions of the sacred through repetition coupled with the surprise of spontaneity as I seek the moment in my paintings and balance it within the space that holds it. The works link my lived experiences to my ancestral memory, which connects to sites and objects beyond familiarity.

This belies an attempted truce between intentionality and spontaneity; between the mindful and the subconscious; the material and the ethereal; and representation and abstraction. My paintings are negotiations between expanding and contracting dialectics which serve as evidence of internal struggles and dialogues composed of layers, marks, gestures, and of course, color.  

My practice cycles between research, revision, ritual, and instinct, remaining rooted in history, memory, place and time. The marks reference a multitude of systems, both Western and Eastern in origin. I seek to meet the viewer where they are, aspiring not towards truths or falsehoods but rather a momentary shared experience.

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Artist Biography

Erin Elman was born in Brooklyn, NY where she was raised by two remarkable New York City public school teachers who exposed their daughters to all of the great art and culture of New York City. She received a BFA in Art from Carnegie Mellon University and also studied in Rome where she fell in love with Etruscan art and ruins. She received an MA in Art Education and an MFA in Book Arts/Printmaking, both from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Elman is the dean of Graduate & Professional Studies at the University of the Arts. She has artwork in numerous public and private collections, including the Tate London. Elman lives in a stone cottage in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

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Education

2008
The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Fine Arts, Book Arts/Printmaking

1997
The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Fine Arts, Art Education

1989
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art

1988
Temple University, Rome, Italy
Study Abroad

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Awards & Honors

2015
Community Arts in Education Leadership Institute(CAELI) Fellowship

2010
Art Education Ambassador, Delegation to South Africa, People to People International

National Arts Strategies Fellowship

Strategies, Executive Education with Harvard University Business School

Faculty, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

1997
Sylvia Wexler Memorial Award for Academic Research in Art Education

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Bibliography

1997
A Stitch in the Canon: The Feminist Art Movement of the 1970’s Influence on Contemporary Art

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Collections

The Tate Gallery, London, England
Free Library of Philadelphia: Fine & Rare Book Collection, Philadelphia, PA
University of the Arts: Fine & Rare Book Collection, Philadelphia, PA
Library Humanities Joc Secund Artist Books, Romania
Numerous Private Collections

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Professional Experience

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Academic Leadership Positions

The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2020 - Present
Dean, Graduate & Professional Studies

2020-2022
Interim Dean, School of Art

2019 - 2020
Dean, School of Critical & Professional Studies & Center for Engagement

2018 - 2019
Founding Dean, College of Critical & Professional Studies and the Center for Engagement

2008 - 2018
Founding Dean, Division of Continuing Studies

1990 - 2008
Director, Pre-College Programs and Outreach

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Lectures, Presentations, Collaborations, and Fellowships

2019
Consultant, Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Consultant for External Review on Adult & Youth Outreach Programs

2018
Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD), Annual Conference, SAIC, Chicago
Presenter: Cultivating Citizen-Artists

2016
Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD), Annual Conference, College of Art, Ringling, Sarasota, FL
Presenter: Continuing Studies Intersects & Interacts

2015
National Arts Education Association, Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
Presenter: Identity through Photography, Teaching with Primary Sources through the Arts

2014
College Art Association, Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
Presenter: The Impact of Out of School Arts Experience on High School Students

Spotlight on Arts Education: Equity-Access-Empowerment co-sponsored by Washington, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Library of Congress

2012
National Arts Education Association, Annual Conference, New York, NY
Presenter: Examining Murals as Socio-political Mechanism and Aesthetic Movement Across Two Cultures: South Africa and Philadelphia

2011
National Arts Education Association, Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
Presenter: Teaching the Arts with Primary Resources

2007, 2008
University of the Arts in London, London, England
Consultant on building sustainable outreach programs

1998
National Art Education Association Conference, New York, NY
Presenter: Feminism and Contemporary Art

1996
Pennsylvania Art Education Association Annual Conference, Harrisburg, PA
Presenter: A Stitch in the Canon: Feminism in Contemporary Art

1994
Pennsylvania Art Education Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Presenter: Womanhouse and the Dinner Party: Judy Chicago’s Influence on the Feminist Art of the 1970s

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Artist Residencies

2022
Sunship: Thesis, at Arts, Letters, Numers, Averill Park, NY

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Memberships, Honors, and Awards

2020 - Present
InLiquid Artist Member

2022 - Present
Center for Emerging Visual Arts, Member

2015
Community Arts in Education Leadership Institute (CAELI) Fellowship

2010
Art Education Ambassador, Delegation to South Africa, People to People International

National Arts Strategies Fellowship

Strategies, Executive Education with Harvard University Business School

Faculty, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

1997
Sylvia Wexler Memorial Award for Academic Research in Art Education

Exhibitions and Collections

2024
Art and Earth, Berkeley Art Works, Martinsburg, WV‍

9th Annual Benefit Auction, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

Arise & Away, Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art, Philadelphia, PA‍

(Un)Familiar, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA‍

InLiquid Annual Member Benefit, Ice Box Gallery, Crane Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA

2023
The Calm Before the Storm, Center for Emerging Visual Arts (CFEVA)Philadelphia, PA
Guest Curator: Chelsey Lusterm

2024
Wind Challenge (2nd Stage Semi Finalist), Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2022
215|610 CONTEMPORARY Juried Exhibition of Regional Emerging Artists, ICA Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College Art Gallery, Media, PA
Jurors: Alex Klein, Dorothy & Stephen Weber Senior Curator

Everyone Is A Collector, InLiquid Gallery at the Crane Building, Philadelphia, PA

New Now V, InLiquid Gallery at the Crane Building, Philadelphia, PA

Art Unleashed, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2021
Erin Elman: Studies & Affinities, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2015
Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Art Unleashed, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Bookartbookshop, Exhibition of artist books and sales, London, England

2010
Artists’ Delegation, (CAP) Community Arts Program, Cape Town, South Africa

2008
1st Biennial Footprint International, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

Juried Exhibition, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA

Offering, MFA Thesis Exhibition, The University of the Arts, Rosenwald Wolf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2007
Wish You Were Here 6, A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY

Love Notes, A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY

Book in Hand, Arts + Literature Laboratory (ALL) Gallery, New Haven, CT

The City of Philadelphia Lightner Challenge, Addition to the City’s Permanent Collection, Philadelphia, PA

Miss Viguer’s Home for Wayward Youth, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Jump Start: Launching an Artists’ Book Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia Main Branch, Philadelphia, PA

East/Midwest, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

East/Midwest, Columbia College, Chicago, IL

2006
Jump Start: Launching an Artists’ Book Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Book Arts, Penn State Abington Campus, Abington, PA

Arte Pagina, curated by Teresa Jaynes and Peter Schwartz, Kelly Writers’ House, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

2 x 2: An Exhibition of Small Books, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Turning Pages II, Whittier College, Whittier, CA

100% Centennial, Miller Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

2005
Artists’ Books from Philadelphia and Timisoara, Library Humanities Joc Secund, Romania

Artists’ Books from Philadelphia and Timisoara, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Excerpt, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Eat Paper, Drink Ink: The Sensuality of Books, Voices & Visions Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2004
Turning Pages II, Whittier College, Whittier, CA

Love Notes, A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY

2000
Stills: A Group Exhibition of Photography, La Colombe,Philadelphia, PA

1999
Invited Artists Exhibition, Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1998
Scavi, Window on Broad Street, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1997
Graduate Student Juried Exhibition, Arronson Gallery, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1996
Paper Prayers, Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

Vessels and Other Things Etruscan, Gallery 310, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1995
Graduate Student Juried Show, Arronson Gallery, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA‍

MA Student Exhibition, Gallery 310, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1992
Erin Elman: Receiving Libation, Solo Exhibition, Protean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

5 Plus 5, Protean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1991
CHOICE, A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY‍

A Show of Hands, Goldey-Paley Gallery, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA‍

Gems, Protean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

Group Show, Protean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

Group Show, Spring Garden Studios Open House, Philadelphia, PA‍

Artists’ Journals, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1990
Spring Garden Studios Open House, Philadelphia, PA‍

Voice of the Artist: Artists Cultural Exchange, Joy Berman Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1989
Vessels, Forbes Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA‍

Vessels and Amphorae: A Senior Thesis Exhibition, Forbes Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA‍

Juried Exhibition, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA
Curator: Annagreth Nill, Carnegie Museum of Art

Art for the Homeless, Juried Exhibition, Dunkin & Porter House, Pittsburgh, PA