Painter Liz Dwyer Opens the 2022-2023 Romano Gallery Season

From August 25 through September 16, painter Liz Dwyer opens the Romano Gallery season with an exhibit exploring the human condition, female identity and motherhood titled “Figures and Planes.” “Among all of my work,” she says, “these feel nearest to me. They are how I choose to work out and process difficult things and connect with others.” Combining modern abstraction, symbolism, cultural patterns and geographical influences, the exhibit showcases the artist’s use of a minimalist approach to capture the complexities of her subjects. 

Ms. Dwyer’s current paintings are latex on wood, a medium she began experimenting with after coming across a painted barn quilt hung high on a local barn. Struck by the colorful juxtaposition of geometric shapes competing against the raw backdrop of nature, she began exploring painting processes that allow wood grain to remain and become part of each finished piece. She often designs each composition around the spaces where they will hang, cutting and customizing her work to fit their settings. She describes her finished compositions as modern folk art. 

A graduate of Radford University in Radford, Virginia, with a BS in art, Ms. Dwyer went on to study special topics in art history at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom before completing graduate work at Montclair State University in New Jersey, earning her Baccalaureate Teaching Certification in art. Ms. Dwyer has facilitated many levels of art instruction, working in both public schools and private studios, while continuing to display her work in curated galleries and regional exhibitions. Her work was most recently displayed at the Atelier Rosal Curated Gallery Show in Rahway, New Jersey. Currently a small business owner and studio art teacher, Ms. Dwyer owns and operates The Makery studio in Hardwick, New Jersey.  

Ms. Dwyer will join the Blair community for an artist’s talk on September 15, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Romano Gallery. This opportunity for the artist to discuss her work, process and influences is open to the public and provides a terrific opportunity for Blair students to learn more about the creative process.