Old In Art School
Exhibition Dates: May 4 - June 22, 2025
Opening Reception: May 4, 1-4:30pm
Panel Discussion: Last Artist Standing, moderated by Sharon Louden May 4, 3:00–4:30 PM
The Ely Center of Contemporary Art Presents a Groundbreaking Exhibition Celebrating Artists Who Reimagined Their Creative Paths Later in Life
The Ely Center of Contemporary Art is proud to present Old in Art School, a vibrant and thought-provoking exhibition inspired by the acclaimed memoir of the same name by historian and artist Nell Painter—who will also exhibit her own work in the show.
Featuring twelve artists who pursued or redefined their artistic careers later in life, the exhibition challenges ageist assumptions and celebrates the enduring power of creative reinvention. Each of these artists attended art or graduate school between the ages of 40 and 79, bringing a wealth of life experience, persistence, and unique perspectives to their practices. The exhibition includes painting, sculpture, printmaking, and interdisciplinary works that expand the conversation around what it means to be an artist—and when an artistic journey can begin.
Old in Art School invites viewers to reflect on themes of identity, transformation, and the audacious decision to follow creative passions at any stage of life. The exhibition is co-curated by Aimée Burg and Deborah Hesse
Featured Artists:
Colleen Coleman (MFA, Art Institute of Chicago, age 50s) – Coleman’s work deals with identity, reflecting personal, historical, environmental themes.
Howard el-Yasin (MFA, Maryland Institute College of Art, age 50s) – El-Yasin’s mixed media practice engages with abstraction, materiality, and layered historical narratives.
Sarah Heinemann ( MFA, Hunter College, age 47)- Known for her bold abstract paintings that explore the relationship between subjectivity and the external world.
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. (MFA, University of Wisconsin, age 47) – Known for his bold typographic letterpress prints, Kennedy centers Black culture and challenges social norms.
Mary Lesser (MFA, Lesley University School of Art at age 79) – Lesser’s work examines contemporary concerns such as global commerce and climate change through colorful, expressive paintings.
Susan Luss (MFA, School of Visual Arts, age 50) – Luss creates immersive installations that transform the viewer’s sensory and spatial experience.
Barbara Marks (MFA, Brooklyn College, age 50s) – A former graphic designer, Marks creates abstract paintings, textiles, and ceramics rooted in memory and color.
Barbara Owen (MFA, School of Visual Art, age 55)- Owen creates abstract painted objects propelled by the optical power of color.
Nell Painter (MFA, Rhode Island School of Design, age 64) – A renowned historian and retired Princeton professor turned artist, Painter uses printmaking to explore race, identity, and history through dynamic combinations of text and image.
Gina Palacios (MFA, Rhode Island School of Design, age 40s) – Palacios’s paintings, shaped by her Mexican American heritage, explore themes of identity, migration, and place.
Carl Patow (MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University, age 60s) – Patow’s digital prints explore themes of aging, memory, and personal transformation.
Allison Pasquesi (MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, age 62) – A multidisciplinary artist, Pasquesi explores material culture and the politics of clothing through sculpture and wearable forms.
Special Event: Last Artist Standing Book Launch & Panel Discussion
(release date of May 20, 2025, but available for pre-order now)
To kick off the exhibition, the Ely Center will host the first stop of Sharon Louden’s national book tour for Last Artist Standing. A passionate advocate for sustaining creative careers, Louden will moderate a panel discussion featuring Colleen Coleman and Susan Luss, from both the exhibition and the book, alongside emerging voices. The panel will explore the realities of maintaining an artistic practice over time—highlighting perseverance, reinvention, and community.