Priscilla DeVantier Bowen (1940-2015) is a fourth generation Western New York Native. Previously an art educator, graphic designer and horticultural technician, she is now currently living as an artist. She attended Buffalo State College for her BS and MS in art education. She is a visual artist whose work focuses on representing the mystery and beauty of nature, and is primarily known for her collages, paintings and drawings. Her work has been exhibited widely throughout Western New York.
Chronology:
2007- May 21-June 25, Exhibited, group show, “38th Annual Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit (NFAE)”, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY.
2008- January, exhibited, group show, “Works by Tom Annear, Pragna Wood, Priscilla Bowen, Robert John Holland and Georgia Trimper”, Studio Hart, Buffalo, NY. Exhibited, group show, “Sticks & Stones”, “Tangle”, pastel on Japanese paper, Olean Public Library, Olean, NY.
2009- August 7, exhibited, “Priscilla Bowen and Gary L. Wolfe”, collaborated on a painting for the ERIE Project (Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange), UB Center for the Arts, “Streams of Thought”, which they spent six months working on and after the artists’ reception the work was hung in the ERIE office, 202 Jarvis Hall on UB’s North Campus, Buffalo, NY. August 14-October 11, exhibited, group show, “Pastel Perfect: A Survey of Western New York Pastel Artists”, guest curated by Gerald Mead, former curator at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. Exhibited, group show, “2009 Area Artists Show”, Albright Art Gallery, Collector’s Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
2011- August 29-November 7, exhibited, group show, “Women Artists in Western New York: Selections from the Gerald Mead Collection”, Nichols School, Buffalo, NY.
2012- May 11-August 26, exhibited, group show, “The Artists Among Us II: The Burchfield Penney's Members' Exhibition”, Presented by Cannon Design, East Gallery, The Project Space, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo, NY. June 23, exhibited, juried show, “Artists, Authors and the Architect: A Cultural Collaboration to benefit the Fontana Boathouse”, exhibit of 30 works from members of the Buffalo Society of Artists, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fontana Boathouse, Buffalo, NY. July 20-August 31, exhibited, group show (Honorable Mention), “Biennial Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit (NFAE)”, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY.
2013- Through September 13, exhibited, group show, “Collation: A Regional Collage Survey”, Meridian West Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
2015- May 30-July 18, exhibition, group show, “The Ridge: Benefit Exhibition for the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy” (CRC), which supports the restoration and preservation of the rich natural, recreational and historic resources of Chestnut Ridge Park, Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY. September 3, Priscilla died at her home from cancer at the age of seventy-five. November 28, there was a memorial service and celebration of life for Priscilla at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY.
Exhibited Other: Group show, Indigo Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
Memberships/Associations: Buffalo Society of Artists, Buffalo, NY.
Awards: 2009 Esprit De Corp Award, from the Burchfield Penney Art Center, which honor friends, patrons and artists who have served the Burchfield with their commitment, camaraderie and good will, Buffalo, NY; Honorable Mention, “2012 Biennial Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit (NFAE)”, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY.
Collections: Permanent Collection of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, “Prayers for the Earth—Water” 2011, pastel and conté crayon on handmade paper, 16-5/8” x 20-3/8”, (Gift of the artist), Buffalo, NY.
(Compiled & written chronologically by Mark Strong of Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc., East Aurora, NY, meibohmfinearts.com)
