Teddy bears and stuffed decorative objects made by my mee-maw and great aunt line the shelves of my mom’s hutches, and throughout my childhood stuffed animals were my source of inspiration and play. Into adulthood, my history and connection with soft objects has become a way for me to express my concerns and ideas through soft sculpture, plush, and site-specific installations. My work bridges my childhood and adulthood experiences, often citing architecture as a metaphor for the expected rigidness of adulthood, and the soft work as the assumed pliability of childhood. By using materials associated with comfort and innocence to explore presented concepts, I aim to simultaneously create a sense of familiarity and of introspection.
THECOLORG (b. 1991, Central PA) is a millennial feminine queer interdisciplinary artist and professional arts administrator based in Philadelphia, PA. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a BFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She has attended artist residencies at the Studios at MASS MoCA, Chautauqua Visual Arts, and the Walkaway House in North Adams, MA. Her work has been exhibited at many museums, galleries, and institutions across the country, including Banana Factory Arts Center, InLiquid Gallery, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (SmithsonianInstitution), Moravian University, Lycoming College Gallery, Atelier FAS Gallery, PAFA, Cherry Street Pier, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, the Erie Art Museum, and many more. Ash has built a handmade plush brand/entity – THECOLORG - focused on creating unique and custom plush for people of all ages which can be found for adoption at The Fabric Workshop & Museum, Philadelphia, PA. Her current project "MOO-D" has been generously funded by The Puffin Foundation through their 2022 artist grant cycle. Ash serves as the Program Coordinator of Continuing Education at Moore College of Art & Design where she supports arts programming for youth and adults – centering inclusivity and accessibility in her approach to all parts of the role.
2020
Master of Fine Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), Philadelphia, PA
2014
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
2024
Bishoff Inn, Artist Scholarship, Micro-Residency, Tamaqua, PA
Center of Gravity, Artist Residency, North Adams, MA
2023
Tend Residency at The Walkaway House, North Adams, MA
2022
The Puffin Foundation, Artist Grant to fund project MOO-D, Teaneck, NJ
Wind Fellowship Nomination, InLiquid, Philadelphia, PA
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (In Association with the Smithsonian Institution), Funded Residency Offer, Solomons, MD
2021
Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program, Full Scholarship, Chautauqua, NY
MASS MoCA, Studios at MASS MoCA Artist Residency, PAFA Fellowship, North Adams, MA
2019
Dedalus Foundation Fellowship Nomination, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2018
MFA Artistic Excellence Scholarship, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2023
Program Coordinator of Continuing Education, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibitions Committee Member, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), Philadelphia, PA
2022
Visitor Service - Exhibitions Department, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Museum Assistant, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Artist Assistant to Kris Rumman, Chautauqua, NY
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Museum Assistant, Philadelphia, PA
Intern, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA
2020
Project Manager, Operating System Exhibitions, online exhibition platform
Gallery 8 Manager/Curatorial Lead, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
PAFA ASE Committee, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Student Exhibitions Committee, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Student Activities Committee, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Teaching Assistant, PAFA After School Program, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Spillway Collective member, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Student Exhibitions Committee, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Student Activities Committee, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
PAFA Fourth Wall Representative, Assistant to Eileen Neff, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Teaching Assistant for Neysa Grassi, Painting in the Dark, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Teaching Assistant, PAFA After School Program, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Gallery 8 Interim Curator, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
PAFA Orientation Leader, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Radiant Hall Alumni, Pittsburgh, PA2018 Painting Instructor, South Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
Member, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP), Pittsburgh, PA
Member, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Pittsburgh, PA
Radiant Hall Alumni, Pittsburgh, PA2017 Painting Instructor, South Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
Member, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP), Pittsburgh, PA
Member, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Pittsburgh, PA
Radiant Hall Alumni, Pittsburgh, PA2016 Painting Instructor, South Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP), Pittsburgh, PA
Radiant Hall Alumni, Pittsburgh, PA
2024
Bear In Mind, Banana Factory/ArtsQuest, Artist Talk, Bethlehem, PA
Materials in Art, Artist Talk, Yant Studio, Forest Hills, NY
Memory Bear Making Workshop, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Memory Bear Making Workshop, Everyday Futures Fest, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Memory Bear Making Workshop, Yant Studio, Forest Hills, NY
Bear Making Workshop, Bear in Mind, Banana Factory/ArtsQuest, Bethlehem, PA
2023
Visiting Artist Talk, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam
Memory Bear Making Workshop, CosciaMoos, Philadelphia, PA
Memory Bear Making Workshop, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
2022
WORK+SHOP+WORK, Payne Gallery, Moravian University, Bethlehem, PA
Personal Trophy making and short voluntary performance with THECOLORG
2024
Sparber, Pete. The Current, February 22nd, 2024.
Gamiz, April. "Bear In Mind opens at The Banana Factory," The Morning Call, January 30th, 2024.
LoConte, Jennifer. "ArtsQuest's Newest Interactive And Sensory Friendly Art Exhibit, Bear In Mind,Opening At The Banana Factory,” The Valley Ledger, January 26th, 2024.
Lehigh Valley Happenings. "Bear In Mind," Lehigh Valley News, February 5th, 2024.
"Bear In Mind | THECOLORG," Banana Factory Arts Center Current Exhibitions, January 26th, 2024.
DiMarco, Christa R. "Elusive Meaning & Precarious Boundaries in beLONGING," InLiquid Magazine, February 7th, 2024.
Compendio, Chris. "New art installation at North Philly's InLiquid Gallery explores queer identities," PhillyVoice, December 29th, 2023.
Given, Molly. "InLiquid Gallery opens 'beLONGING' in celebration of past impactful exhibit," Metro Philadelphia, January 3rd, 2024.
Stories From PAFA, Ash Garner (MFA '20) Uses Mass MoCA Residency to Challenge Perceptions, online article, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA.
2021
Artist Residency Panel Discussion, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA.
2020
Delach, Mel, “Ashley Garner '20: Expanding Creative Horizons,” interview and online article, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, April 17th, 2020.
Pafa Pours – A Toast to the ASE, interview and discussion, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA.
2019
Yarsinsky, Adam, “Ashley Garner | TheColorG,” 500 Artists Magazine/Downtown 500, October 23rd, 2019.
2017
Ashley Garner, Studio Visit Magazine Open Studios Press, 2017-2018 Winter Issue.
AAP New Members Exhibition “Speak For Yourself,” The Pittsburgh City Paper, September 6th, 2017.
2016
After Happy Hour Review, Issue 6-Fall 2016, Pittsburgh, PA, November 17th, 2016.
After Happy Hour Review, Issue 5-Spring 2016, Pittsburgh, PA, May 18th, 2016.
The Downtowner, Pittsburgh, PA, Spring 2016.
2023
Green Wave, Artist Interview, 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Project on Crisis, Dubai
2024
Bear In Mind, Crayola Gallery, Banana Factory Arts Center/Arts Quest, Bethlehem, PA
2023
MOO-D, Pop-up Exhibition, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), Philadelphia, PA
2024
New Now VII, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
National Juried Exhibition, The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick, MD
2024 Benefit Exhibition, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Bear In Mind, Crayola Gallery, Banana Factory Arts Center/ArtsQuest Bethlehem, PA
beLONGING, (RE) Focus 2024, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Shinrabansho, Yant Studio, Forest Hills, NY
Inside Out, Upside Down & Sideways, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), Philadelphia, PA
2023
CFEVA Secret Fundraiser, Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Project on Crisis Part II-CLIMATLOG, Green Wave Pop-up Exhibition, New York City, NY
MOO-D, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), Philadelphia, PA
Cell Phone Library: MOO-D, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA
Extracurricular Pursuits, Memory Bears, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
When The Light Comes In, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), Philadelphia, PA
Small Favors, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Insider Art, Handmade By, Anne Bryan Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2022
Reflected Existence, Payne Gallery + Manifold Global, Moravian University, Bethlehem, PA
Hands Off!! Women’s Bodies Women’s Rights, iMPeRFeCT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
PRIDE, Lycoming College Art Gallery, Williamsport, PA
Barnstorm, Punch Projects, Thorp, WA
Resilience, University City Arts League, t-art magazine, Philadelphia, PA
Insider Art VIII, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Historic Landmark Building, Philadelphia, PA
Adorned: Inspired by Fabric and Fashion, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons, MD
2021
CVA School of Art Exhibition, Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, Chautauqua, NY
2020
Annual Student Exhibition (Thesis), Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Historic Landmark Building, Philadelphia, PA
Zeitgeist 2020, Manifold Global, online exhibition\Now More Than Ever, Wassaic Project, Wassaic, NY
Jump Into The Fire, Atelier FAS Gallery, Philadelphia, PAIntimate Explorations, Clark Hill Law Offices, Philadelphia, PA
The Future of Art Tour, The Maas Building, 500 Artists Magazine, Philadelphia, PA
Now More Than Ever, Wassaic Project, Wassaic, NY
Jump Into The Fire, Atelier FAS Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Intimate Explorations, Clark Hill Law Offices, Philadelphia, PA
The Future of Art Tour, The Maas Building, 500 Artists Magazine, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Permutations: Threads of Momentum, Orion Pop-Up Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Reflections, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Anne Bryan Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Secret Haunts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Divergent Directions, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Gallery 8, Philadelphia, PA
2SoulPuff, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Broad Street Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Small Scale Big Color, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Anne Bryan Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Cherry Street Pier: The Garage, Homage to the Kid in Me, Cherry Street Pier: The Garage, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Hot and Cold, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Gallery 8, Philadelphia, PA
Freedom on a SeeSaw, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Gallery 8, Philadelphia, PA
Texture, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Gallery 8, Philadelphia, PA
Images 2018, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA
Heatwave, Blick Art Materials, Pittsburgh, PA
It’s Been Real, The Schoolhouse Arts Center, Bethel Park, PA
Art for Change, Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2017
The Color of Being, Point Park University, Tomayko Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
The Dynamic Duo, Fusion Atelier, Brookville, PA
5 Year Anniversary Exhibition, Radiant Hall, Pittsburgh, PAElectric Kool-Aid, The Brew House Association, Pittsburgh, PA
Artist of the Month, Blick Art Materials, Pittsburgh, PA
Speak for Yourself, Framehouse & Jask Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Artist Corner, Fusion Atelier, Brookville, PA
2024
THECOLORG Pop-up, Fabric Workshop & Museum, Philadelphia, PA
2023
PAFAxTHECOLORG, PAFA Museum Store, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Custom Limited Edition Teddy Bear Project Collaboration
2022
5into1, Philadelphia Sculptors, Philadelphia, PA
2020
Operating System (online Platform), Alternatives ’20: Art House
Atelier FAS Gallery, Jump Into The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
Intuitive Play, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Gallery 8, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Shape, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Anne Bryan Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Daydream, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Summer Love, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Secret Haunts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
