Jessica Molnar

STATEMENT

Hi, I’m Jessica Molnar, a fine artist, textile designer, and bibliophile. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been drawn to books, patterns, and textures. As a fairly nerdy child, I enjoyed things like reading the dictionary or hanging out in the library during recess, devouring anything macabre and magical I could find. My introspective, loner self loved to pass the time watching clouds morph or zoom in to a bug's eye view to examine moss and lichens.

I enjoy contrasting meticulous, finely crafted elements with happy accidents. I see this interplay as a dynamic element of life; forging ahead with free will and yet accepting the unexpected... celebrating the messy art of living a happy life. As far as I can tell, living, learning and creating are utterly inseparable.

BIO

Jessica Molnar is a visual artist whose works incorporate printmaking, collage, surface design and assemblage. Her artwork has been exhibited in the San Francisco Bay Area, New Orleans, Seattle, Hawaii, New York, UK and Germany. Her work is held in the permanent collection at the Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts. She received a BFA in Textile Design from Academy of Art University, San Francisco and went on to study traditional bookbinding and restoration at Capricornus School of Bookbinding and apprenticed as a letterpress printer with with Peter Koch Printers. Jessica lives in rural Northwest WA with her husband, son and their assortment of critters.

EXHIBITIONS/SHOWS/COMMISSIONS

Selected Exhibitions

2021 - New Relics, Allied Arts, Bellingham, WA
2021 - Powerful Little Things, Roaring Artist Gallery, virtual
2020 - Hear us ROAR, Roaring Artist Gallery, virtual
2019 - Regeneration: Making Sense of it All, Make.Shift Gallery, Bellingham, WA
2015 - Mail Me Art, London, U.K.
2014 - Brotkatze Neo Dada Collaboration, Berlin, Germany
2013 - 6x6 2013, Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Rochester, NY
2112 - 6x6 2012, Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Rochester, NY
2011 - Ghost Gallery Benefit Show, Seattle, WA
2010 - City of Hope Benefit, Stylus, Seattle, WA
2010 - Miniature Art Extravaganza VI, Ghost Gallery, Seattle, WA
2010 - Grand Opening “Best Of”, Ghost Gallery, Seattle, WA
2010 - New Year Show, Stylus, Seattle, WA
2009 - Port Townsend Artist Studio Tour, Odd Duck Press, Port Townsend, WA
2009 - Miniature Art Extravaganza IV, Ghost Gallery, Seattle, WA
2009 - 6x6 2009, Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Rochester NY
2009 - Trioka 7 Small Art Open Exhibition, Norfolk, U.K.
2008 - Artistic Alchemy, Hui No èau Visual Arts Center, Makawao, HI
2008 - Playing With a Full Deck, Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts, Columbus, OH
2008 - Fourth Annual National Fiber Arts Festival, Sixth Street Gallery, Vancouver, WA
2007 - Steamworks, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA
2006 - Spring Show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2005 - Cell Space Benefit show, San Francisco, CA
2004 - FANA, Oakland Art Museum, Oakland, CA
2004 - Caffe Centro, San Francisco, CA
2003 - Bookworks, PCBA Exhibition, Main Library, San Francisco, CA
2002 - Caffe Centro, San Francisco, CA
2001 - Conceptually Bound, Butte College, Oroville, CA
2001 - SomArts Benefit show, San Francisco, CA
2000 - Babylon Lexicon, Zeitgeist Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2000 - Assemblage, Barristers Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2000 - Recycle for the Arts Fashion show, The Ark, New Orleans, LA
1999 - Yackety Yack Coffee House, San Francisco, CA
1999 - Valentine’s Day Show Balazo Gallery, San Francisco, CA


Publications

THRIVE Talks Podcast, I was mentioned in episodes 6 & 7
Offbeat Home and Life Blog, 2018, Personal Essay
Being Boss Blog, 2016, Personal Essay
Mail Me Art, 2015, Art Feature
Art Creations Magazine, 2009, Art Feature
ARTLIFE, 2000, Art Feature

Collections

Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts, Columbus, OH

EDUCATION

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, BFA 2006, Textile Design
Capricornus, Berkeley, CA, 2003-2005, Bookbinding and Restoration
Laney College, Oakland, CA, 2005, Graphic Arts

AWARDS

2007 - CC-Match Business Development Grant
2004 - 1st Prize, FANA Fan Design Competition

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Clairmont Rug Company, Berkeley, CA 2007-2009; Antique textile restoration artist
Peter Koch Printers, Berkeley, CA 2006 - 2007, Apprentice; Assist in printing and production of fine letterpress books
San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2002 - 2005, Volunteer; Various office and studio duties

TAGS

home decor, surface design, furniture, mixed media, printmaking, assemblage