Marisa Yow
Marisa Yow
b. Jacksonville, FL
Artist Statement
"It was mine; art was the only place I felt I had a voice. I continued because I loved the act, creating something from nothing, and the feeling of fulfillment that I made this, this is mine."
Communication, and the ability to evoke an emotional connection with another person, is at the center of my work. I am interested in creating a shared thought or feeling for the viewer to connect with and find commonality in. Through I consider myself a painter at my core, I find myself constantly being drawn into the possibilities of difference media. However despite the divergent media's, painting, drawing, mixed media, and installation, I use the figure to explore vulnerability, familiarity, memory, and emotion.
My paintings are mainly large-scale figurative works marked by instinctual, bold, and lush gestures, artifacts of which frequently make their way to the surface. My drawings and mixed media works are often smaller in scale, offering intimacy and warmth. In ongoing work such as Anthropology of a Girl, I find myself returning to images of girlhood and identity, using drawing and installation to consider how the body is seen, remembered, and questioned over time.
I employ unconventional compositions and implied narratives to trigger the viewer’s imagination.I want the work to create a dialogue that does not simply confirm what is observed, but allows space for questioning what is not presented. I feel it is a metaphor for our humanity—so much of what we don’t see shapes what we do see. Creating compositions' that are cropped, partially obscured, or held within familiar but uneasy spaces, inviting the viewer to move between recognition and the uncertainty of not knowing.
I draw from my perspective, felt or perceived, of vulnerabilities, familiarities, memories, images, emotions, ideas, and thoughts. As my experiences expand, my thoughts evolve. I hope to continue creating with an authentic visual voice that others find they connect with.
Biography
Marisa Yow is a Jacksonville, Florida-based artist working in figurative painting, drawing, mixed media, and installation. Her work explores communication and emotional connection through images that move between intimacy and ambiguity, often drawing from memory, vulnerability, and personal experience.
She grew up in the Jacksonville Beaches area and earned a BA in Art History and a BFA in Painting from Florida State University, followed by an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Yow maintains a studio in Jacksonville’s CoRK Arts District and teaches at the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and has been recognized as one of Jacksonville’s top painting and drawing instructors for three consecutive years.
Selected Press & Featured In
Eric Fiscal: The Process of Painting Documentary: Available on Prime Video
In this 38 minute documentary, viewers Dive deep into Eric Fischl's complex process of painting, with interviews in Fischl's New York and Long Island studios, visits to the Rodin Museum and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the live creation of a watercolor.
www.imdb.com/title/tt2675376/
Interview with Ben Thompson Deputy Director of MOCA Jacksonville
mocajacksonville.unf.edu/blog/Marisa-Yow-reflects-everyday-life-in-her-spontaneous-paintings/
Expertise Top 10 Art Instructors in Jacksonville
www.expertise.com/fl/jacksonville/painting-and-drawing-classes
Arbus: Art and Business Magazine
arbus.com/beloved-beaches-fine-arts-series-turns-50/
Beaches Fine Arts Series 50th Anniversary Publication
The Cummer Museum Art and Gardens Spotlight: One of the 9 Chosen Artist's to Honor Winslow Homer https://blog.cummermuseum.org/about-the-artist-marisa-yow/
Cork Arts District: Marisa Yow
corkartsdistrict.com/marisa-yow
Jacksonville Magazine: The arts community in Jax is being challenged, changed and led by women.
www.jacksonvillemag.com/2019/03/08/women-in-arts-jax/
Bold Bean Special Projects : Curated by Crystal Floyd
www.crystalfloyd.com/bold-bean-coffee-roasters-art-curation-installation
St Johns County Friends of the Library
folpvbfl.org
WJXT News For Jax Survive to Thrive : Curator Shawana Banks speaks about the Centerpiece of the Exhibit painting Lone Sparrow artist Marisa Yow
news.wjct.org/first-coast/2017-08-01/sexual-violence-exhibit-at-jacksonville-library-meant-to-help-victims-educate-public
listen to interview 2:00 mins.
Sexual Violence Exhibit At Jacksonville Library Meant To Help Victims, Educate Public by Ryan Bank
news.wjct.org/first-coast/2017-08-01/sexual-violence-exhibit-at-jacksonville-library-meant-to-help-victims-educate-public
W.A.V.E. Women Artist Visual Experience Haskell Gallery Jacksonville International Airport
www.elenaohlander.com/media/2020/3/3/wave-women-artists-visual-experiences
CV
Education
2012 – MFA, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2007 – BFA, Painting and Drawing – Magna Cum Laude, Florida State University
2007 – BA, Art History – Cum Laude, Florida State University
2003 – AA, With Honors, Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ)
Selected Teaching and Academic Experience
2025 Visiting Professor, Drawing and Painting, UNF, Jacksonville, FL
2023 Present - Adjunct Professor, Drawing and Painting, UNF, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Present - Adjunct Professor, Drawing, Painting Art History Humanities, FSCJ, Jacksonville, FL
2014–2015 – Ceramics, 3-D Instructor, Bartram Trail High School, FL
2012 High School Figure Instructor, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2009–2010 – Drawing Instructor, Reddi Arts, Jacksonville, FL
2008–Present – Private Instructor & Owner, Marisa Yow Art
2005–2007 – Drawing & Painting Instructor, LeMoyne Art Center, Tallahassee, FL
Selected Curatorial Work
2026 Inch X Inch : A Small Works Show - CoRK Arts District
2026 UNF UN-CoRK'ed : 1st Annul Juried Student Art Show - CoRK Arts District
2025 Native Species of Florida, Museum of Science and History (UNF Juried Exhibition) – Curatorial Team Member
2019 Celebration of the First Coast, PVCC – Co-Curator
2007 Remembering the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit, FL Dept. of Education – Exhibition Designer
2004–2007 – First Fridays, Red Door Gallery – Director/Curator/Co-Curator (33 shows in total)
2007 Students United, Against Violence towards Women Red Door Gallery – Co-Curator
2006 Wild Nature, Red Door Gallery – Curator
2006 Exit: Cesar Biojo, Red Door Gallery – Curator
2005 Kapow! Comic Book Heroes, Red Door Gallery – Head Designer & Co-Curator
*catalog available
Recent Honors
2025 Finalist for Adjunct of the Year at University of North Florida
2024 Nominated Outstanding Adjunct Florida State college of Jacksonville
2019 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
2018 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
2017 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
Selected Speaking Engagements
Guest Lecturer Graduate Artist Program Jacksonville Univeristy
Panelist How I Learned to Drive, Yellow House, Jacksonville, FL
Panelist Survive to Thrive, JMS Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
Speaker Intimate and Exceptional, Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, FL
Featured Artist JMOCA at CoRK, Jacksonville, FL
Selected Recent Exhibitions
International
2019 – ACQR Art, Group Exhibition, London, UK
Solo
2023 Fragments, St. Johns Library, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2023 Beaches Fine Artist Series Featured Artist 50th Anniversary, Jacksonville Beach, FL
2018 How I Learned to Drive, Yellow House, Jacksonville, FL
2016 Pieces, Bold Bean, Riverside, FL
2006 Present : (solo show) The Yves Piccu Collection, Miami, FL
Selected *Juried, *Invitational Group Shows
2026 Unclear Narrative: The Visual Excerpts from Women Illustrators, Deerwood Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2025 *Heavyweights, Florida Mining Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2024 *Elysium, Untitled Art Space, Jacksonville, FL
2024 Faculty Exhibition Florida State College of Jacksonville, Wilson Gallery Jacksonville , FL
2023 Faculty Exhibition, University of North Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Faculty Exhibition Florida State College of Jacksonville, Wilson Gallery Jacksonville , FL
2021 CoRK Open Studios ( group show) Riverside, FL
2020 *W.A.V.E. Women Artists Visual Experience : (group show) Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville, FL
2020 *ACQR Art, ( group show), London, UK
2019 CoRK Arts Open Studios ( group show) Riverside, FL
2019 *Musing Women: An Invitational, Wilson Center for the Arts (group show) , Jacksonville. FL
2017 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show), Jacksonville, FL
2017 *Survive to Thrive: JMS Gallery ( featured artist ) Jacksonville,FL
2017 *Intimate and Exceptional: (featured artist, group show) Cultural Center for the Arts, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2016 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show), Jacksonville, FL
2016 Holiday Pop Up: Hillary Whittaker Gallery, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2016 *JMOCA at CoRK curated by Ben Thompson ( featured artist) Jacksonville, FL
2015 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show) Jacksonville, FL
2014 *Alumni Invitational :(group show) Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts Jacksonville, FL
2014 *The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens honoring Turner (group show) Jacksonville, FL
2013 *Art House : (group show) Riverside Preservation Society Jacksonville, FL
2012 MFA Thesis Exhibition: (group show) Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Installation Anthropology of the Girl : (solo show) Gallery 8 P.A.F.A, Philadelphia,PA
2009 *Juried Figure Drawing Exposition : Arts Center Jacksonville, FL
2005 - 2007 First Friday's at the BFA Warehouse: (participated in 27 group shows) Red Door Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2007 The Last Supper : (graduation show) FSU Museum of Fine Arts, Tallahassee, FL
2006 *The Collective : (group show) Gallery 621, Tallahassee, FL
2006 ASL Invitational :The Nan Boyton Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2006 *Support the Arts 25th Annual Auction: Gallery 621, Tallahassee, FL
2005 *Rolling’s Juried Show: Olglesby Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2005 Self Existent with Cesar Biojo: Olglesby Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2004 *She Works : Red Door Gallery , Tallahassee, FL
2003 Student Exhibition : Wilson Center for the Arts, Jacksonville, FL
Notable Collections Private and Public:
Private Collection of Lieth ter Meulen : Officer/board member MOMA New York
Private Collection of Yves Piccu : Miami Florida
Florida State University’s Permanent Collection
Florida State College of Jacksonville’s Permanent Collection
Notable Private collections in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Florida, New York, Colombia, Barcelona, Germany and U.K.
b. Jacksonville, FL
Artist Statement
"It was mine; art was the only place I felt I had a voice. I continued because I loved the act, creating something from nothing, and the feeling of fulfillment that I made this, this is mine."
Communication, and the ability to evoke an emotional connection with another person, is at the center of my work. I am interested in creating a shared thought or feeling for the viewer to connect with and find commonality in. Through I consider myself a painter at my core, I find myself constantly being drawn into the possibilities of difference media. However despite the divergent media's, painting, drawing, mixed media, and installation, I use the figure to explore vulnerability, familiarity, memory, and emotion.
My paintings are mainly large-scale figurative works marked by instinctual, bold, and lush gestures, artifacts of which frequently make their way to the surface. My drawings and mixed media works are often smaller in scale, offering intimacy and warmth. In ongoing work such as Anthropology of a Girl, I find myself returning to images of girlhood and identity, using drawing and installation to consider how the body is seen, remembered, and questioned over time.
I employ unconventional compositions and implied narratives to trigger the viewer’s imagination.I want the work to create a dialogue that does not simply confirm what is observed, but allows space for questioning what is not presented. I feel it is a metaphor for our humanity—so much of what we don’t see shapes what we do see. Creating compositions' that are cropped, partially obscured, or held within familiar but uneasy spaces, inviting the viewer to move between recognition and the uncertainty of not knowing.
I draw from my perspective, felt or perceived, of vulnerabilities, familiarities, memories, images, emotions, ideas, and thoughts. As my experiences expand, my thoughts evolve. I hope to continue creating with an authentic visual voice that others find they connect with.
Biography
Marisa Yow is a Jacksonville, Florida-based artist working in figurative painting, drawing, mixed media, and installation. Her work explores communication and emotional connection through images that move between intimacy and ambiguity, often drawing from memory, vulnerability, and personal experience.
She grew up in the Jacksonville Beaches area and earned a BA in Art History and a BFA in Painting from Florida State University, followed by an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Yow maintains a studio in Jacksonville’s CoRK Arts District and teaches at the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and has been recognized as one of Jacksonville’s top painting and drawing instructors for three consecutive years.
Selected Press & Featured In
Eric Fiscal: The Process of Painting Documentary: Available on Prime Video
In this 38 minute documentary, viewers Dive deep into Eric Fischl's complex process of painting, with interviews in Fischl's New York and Long Island studios, visits to the Rodin Museum and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the live creation of a watercolor.
www.imdb.com/title/tt2675376/
Interview with Ben Thompson Deputy Director of MOCA Jacksonville
mocajacksonville.unf.edu/blog/Marisa-Yow-reflects-everyday-life-in-her-spontaneous-paintings/
Expertise Top 10 Art Instructors in Jacksonville
www.expertise.com/fl/jacksonville/painting-and-drawing-classes
Arbus: Art and Business Magazine
arbus.com/beloved-beaches-fine-arts-series-turns-50/
Beaches Fine Arts Series 50th Anniversary Publication
The Cummer Museum Art and Gardens Spotlight: One of the 9 Chosen Artist's to Honor Winslow Homer https://blog.cummermuseum.org/about-the-artist-marisa-yow/
Cork Arts District: Marisa Yow
corkartsdistrict.com/marisa-yow
Jacksonville Magazine: The arts community in Jax is being challenged, changed and led by women.
www.jacksonvillemag.com/2019/03/08/women-in-arts-jax/
Bold Bean Special Projects : Curated by Crystal Floyd
www.crystalfloyd.com/bold-bean-coffee-roasters-art-curation-installation
St Johns County Friends of the Library
folpvbfl.org
WJXT News For Jax Survive to Thrive : Curator Shawana Banks speaks about the Centerpiece of the Exhibit painting Lone Sparrow artist Marisa Yow
news.wjct.org/first-coast/2017-08-01/sexual-violence-exhibit-at-jacksonville-library-meant-to-help-victims-educate-public
listen to interview 2:00 mins.
Sexual Violence Exhibit At Jacksonville Library Meant To Help Victims, Educate Public by Ryan Bank
news.wjct.org/first-coast/2017-08-01/sexual-violence-exhibit-at-jacksonville-library-meant-to-help-victims-educate-public
W.A.V.E. Women Artist Visual Experience Haskell Gallery Jacksonville International Airport
www.elenaohlander.com/media/2020/3/3/wave-women-artists-visual-experiences
CV
Education
2012 – MFA, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2007 – BFA, Painting and Drawing – Magna Cum Laude, Florida State University
2007 – BA, Art History – Cum Laude, Florida State University
2003 – AA, With Honors, Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ)
Selected Teaching and Academic Experience
2025 Visiting Professor, Drawing and Painting, UNF, Jacksonville, FL
2023 Present - Adjunct Professor, Drawing and Painting, UNF, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Present - Adjunct Professor, Drawing, Painting Art History Humanities, FSCJ, Jacksonville, FL
2014–2015 – Ceramics, 3-D Instructor, Bartram Trail High School, FL
2012 High School Figure Instructor, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2009–2010 – Drawing Instructor, Reddi Arts, Jacksonville, FL
2008–Present – Private Instructor & Owner, Marisa Yow Art
2005–2007 – Drawing & Painting Instructor, LeMoyne Art Center, Tallahassee, FL
Selected Curatorial Work
2026 Inch X Inch : A Small Works Show - CoRK Arts District
2026 UNF UN-CoRK'ed : 1st Annul Juried Student Art Show - CoRK Arts District
2025 Native Species of Florida, Museum of Science and History (UNF Juried Exhibition) – Curatorial Team Member
2019 Celebration of the First Coast, PVCC – Co-Curator
2007 Remembering the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit, FL Dept. of Education – Exhibition Designer
2004–2007 – First Fridays, Red Door Gallery – Director/Curator/Co-Curator (33 shows in total)
2007 Students United, Against Violence towards Women Red Door Gallery – Co-Curator
2006 Wild Nature, Red Door Gallery – Curator
2006 Exit: Cesar Biojo, Red Door Gallery – Curator
2005 Kapow! Comic Book Heroes, Red Door Gallery – Head Designer & Co-Curator
*catalog available
Recent Honors
2025 Finalist for Adjunct of the Year at University of North Florida
2024 Nominated Outstanding Adjunct Florida State college of Jacksonville
2019 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
2018 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
2017 Voted Top Ten Best Art Instructor in Jacksonville by Expertise
Selected Speaking Engagements
Guest Lecturer Graduate Artist Program Jacksonville Univeristy
Panelist How I Learned to Drive, Yellow House, Jacksonville, FL
Panelist Survive to Thrive, JMS Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
Speaker Intimate and Exceptional, Ponte Vedra Cultural Center, FL
Featured Artist JMOCA at CoRK, Jacksonville, FL
Selected Recent Exhibitions
International
2019 – ACQR Art, Group Exhibition, London, UK
Solo
2023 Fragments, St. Johns Library, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2023 Beaches Fine Artist Series Featured Artist 50th Anniversary, Jacksonville Beach, FL
2018 How I Learned to Drive, Yellow House, Jacksonville, FL
2016 Pieces, Bold Bean, Riverside, FL
2006 Present : (solo show) The Yves Piccu Collection, Miami, FL
Selected *Juried, *Invitational Group Shows
2026 Unclear Narrative: The Visual Excerpts from Women Illustrators, Deerwood Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2025 *Heavyweights, Florida Mining Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2024 *Elysium, Untitled Art Space, Jacksonville, FL
2024 Faculty Exhibition Florida State College of Jacksonville, Wilson Gallery Jacksonville , FL
2023 Faculty Exhibition, University of North Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
2022 Faculty Exhibition Florida State College of Jacksonville, Wilson Gallery Jacksonville , FL
2021 CoRK Open Studios ( group show) Riverside, FL
2020 *W.A.V.E. Women Artists Visual Experience : (group show) Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville, FL
2020 *ACQR Art, ( group show), London, UK
2019 CoRK Arts Open Studios ( group show) Riverside, FL
2019 *Musing Women: An Invitational, Wilson Center for the Arts (group show) , Jacksonville. FL
2017 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show), Jacksonville, FL
2017 *Survive to Thrive: JMS Gallery ( featured artist ) Jacksonville,FL
2017 *Intimate and Exceptional: (featured artist, group show) Cultural Center for the Arts, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2016 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show), Jacksonville, FL
2016 Holiday Pop Up: Hillary Whittaker Gallery, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2016 *JMOCA at CoRK curated by Ben Thompson ( featured artist) Jacksonville, FL
2015 CoRK Open Studios Event (group show) Jacksonville, FL
2014 *Alumni Invitational :(group show) Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts Jacksonville, FL
2014 *The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens honoring Turner (group show) Jacksonville, FL
2013 *Art House : (group show) Riverside Preservation Society Jacksonville, FL
2012 MFA Thesis Exhibition: (group show) Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Installation Anthropology of the Girl : (solo show) Gallery 8 P.A.F.A, Philadelphia,PA
2009 *Juried Figure Drawing Exposition : Arts Center Jacksonville, FL
2005 - 2007 First Friday's at the BFA Warehouse: (participated in 27 group shows) Red Door Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2007 The Last Supper : (graduation show) FSU Museum of Fine Arts, Tallahassee, FL
2006 *The Collective : (group show) Gallery 621, Tallahassee, FL
2006 ASL Invitational :The Nan Boyton Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2006 *Support the Arts 25th Annual Auction: Gallery 621, Tallahassee, FL
2005 *Rolling’s Juried Show: Olglesby Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2005 Self Existent with Cesar Biojo: Olglesby Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2004 *She Works : Red Door Gallery , Tallahassee, FL
2003 Student Exhibition : Wilson Center for the Arts, Jacksonville, FL
Notable Collections Private and Public:
Private Collection of Lieth ter Meulen : Officer/board member MOMA New York
Private Collection of Yves Piccu : Miami Florida
Florida State University’s Permanent Collection
Florida State College of Jacksonville’s Permanent Collection
Notable Private collections in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Florida, New York, Colombia, Barcelona, Germany and U.K.