Cynthia Groya
Jackson, MS
267.738.1592
Contemplating historical social constructs of racism and inequality mirrored in contemporary culture, I endeavor to create intimate openings of light into dark corners of a past permeated with injustice and inequity.
My work reflects this objective. Layers including mirrors, light, historical documents and barbed wire, transparent surfaces and broken glass, reflect history pouring into present. Short documentary videos concerning mass incarceration and housing inequality are small glimpses of historic discrimination embedded in the present restrictive covenants. In mixed media work, synthetic polymers and mediums and acrylic skins are imbedded with the dust and ash of broken covenants. Viewed through surfaces of inscribed and framed plexiglass, they are windows into the past-cum-present.
Sometimes dark and disconcerting, these landscapes reflect light, the spark of possibility, of hope. Below the surface, objects appear obscured, hinting at significance traveling back and forward in time. The un-concealed 'then' offering clues to the 'now'. Light into dark.
Groya has participated in over 50 group/juried exhibitions and 5 solo exhibitions,
Partial List of Exhibitions and Video Productions (See Links)
2019
Art Against Racism, Multiple Venues Princeton NJ (September)
https://www.rustincenter.org/calendar/2019/9/20/art-against-racism
2018
Lang Auditorium Hunter College, Eddie Baker: Coming Home Documentary Screening
Mother, Bethel, Harlem, USA group exhibition, Hunter East Harlem Gallery, New York, NY
https://www.huntereastharlemgallery.org/mother-bethel
Interwoven Stories International, Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, Princeton, NJ
Outsider Art Fair, Onward Exhibiion, Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., New York, NY
2017
NRG Energy Sustainable Headquarters, 104 Carnegie Ctr., Princeton, NJ
Interwoven Stories, Universidad de los Andes and Centro de Memoria Paz y ReconciliaciónBogotá, Colombia (traveling exhibition)
SVA Open Studio, 133 W 21st New York, NY
Princeton Arts Council 50th Anniversary Invitational, Princeton, NJ
2016
150 Years After the Civil War, Solo Exhibition, Nassau Club, Princeton, NJ
E-Money Advisors, Four Commissioned Paintings for HQ, 1001 E Hector St, Conshohocken, PA 19428
What About Gettysburg? Educational script development, video design, direction
Trenton Soup Kitchen client collaboration
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RGe7hBU-lZE
Generation Next, Invitational, West Windsor Arts Center, Princeton Junction, NJ
Tangled Roots, Solo Exhibition, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015
Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, Semi-Finalist Exhibition, Rush Gallery, NYC
Mass MoCA Assets for Artists Residency, North Adams, MA
Out Of Line Solo Exhibition, MUSE Gallery, 52 North Second Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Red Show, Cheryl Hazan Contemporary, New York City, NY
Mill One Open Studio, One N. Johnson Ave., Hamilton, NJ
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ
HomeFront, Benefit Exhibition, Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
2014
Snowflake Salon Invitational, 110 Church Street, Philadelphia, PA
Pinot to Picasso, Technology Center of Princeton, 330 Carter Road, New Jersey
Indigo Gallery, 45 Palmer Square West, Princeton, New Jersey
Bucks Beautiful, Invitational Art Exhibit, Bucks County, PA
ArtSpace, Princeton, New Jersey
MUSE Gallery Members' Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
2013
Indigo Gallery, 45 Palmer Square West, Princeton, New Jersey
Pinot to Picasso, 104 Witherspoon, Princeton, New Jersey
ArtJam, 75 Hulfish, Princeton, New Jersey
2012
Princeton Arts Council: Members Exhibition, 104 Witherspoon, Princeton, NJ
ArtJam, Princeton, New Jersey
Best of Bucks Juried Exhibition, Doylestown, PA
2011
Spheres & Foundations, Cynthia Groya & Cindy Besselaar, Silva Gallery, Pennington, NJ
Absolutely Abstract, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
Best of Bucks, Jurried Exhibition, Doylestown, PA
Make a Wish (Juror), Crossing Gallery, Washington Crossing, PA
Snowflake Salon, Church Street, Philadelphia, PA
2010
Pulling Paint Solo Exhibition, MUSE Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Absolutely Abstract Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia
New Members Show MUSE Gallery Philadelphia, PA
New Dimensions, Rafael Novoa Gallery, 36 W Bridge Street, New Hope, PA
Ellarslie Open Annual Juried Exhibition, Ellarslie Museum, Trenton, NJ
Salon at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton, NJ
Bucks County Community College, Hicks Art Center, Newtown PA
Elm Lowne Invitational, Women's Exhibition, Elm Lowne, Yardley, PA
2009
Anniversary Show MUSE Gallery, 52 North Second Street Old City, Philadelphia, PA
Picasso Gallery Juried Exhibition, Washington, D.C.
Newman Gallery, 1625 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Sketch Club Juried Exhibition of Small Paintings, Philadelphia, PA
Ellarslie Open Annual Juried Exhibition Trenton, NJ
2008
Synergy of Interior Design & Fine Art Rafael Novoa Gallery, New Hope, PA
Points of Reference ARTWORKS Gallery, Trenton, NJ
Absolutely Abstract Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia
AOY Juried Exhibition , Laceworks Gallery, Lambertville, NJ
79th Annual Phillips Mill Juried Exhibition , Phillips Mill, New Jersey
2007
Sizable & Significant Jason Craighead, Cynthia Groya, Luis Bujalance Bucks Gallery of Fine Art, Newtown, PA
Messages: Spoken & Unspoken Silva Gallery of Fine Art, Pennington, NJ
Seasons, Delaware River Gallery, Yardley, PA
2006 and Earlier
Group Show, Gallery of Fine Art, Newtown, PA 2006
CAPS! Faculty Exhibition Yardley, PA 1996 - 2006 annually
Abstract Realities Crittenden Gallery, St. Louis, MO 1993
Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 1992, 1991, 1990
Prints, Drawings & Pastels, St. Louis Artists Guild, Webster Groves, MO 1991
EXPERIENCE
VIDEGRAPHER/CONTENT CREATOR/PRODUCER
- Videography Constultant/Content Creator: (Current) Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, MS Document landmark exhibition and other events for museum website, podcasts, livestream.
- Chief Videographer/Producer: (2019-2021) Art Against Racism, Princeton, NJ (Remote) Created, curated, and prodced video content for national website and livestream event
- Mural Project Manager: (2016 - 2018) Gregory Elementary School, Trenton, NJ. Initiated educational arts project collaborating with Principal, teachers, students and local graffiti artists, to create mural program for school to reflect history of notable African Americans, to inspire and motivate students in poor, underserved neighborhood.
- Documentary Writer/Videographer/Producer: (2016 - Present) Concept, interviews, create/record narration, videography and editing to create short documentary films (See Links)
GALA CO-CHAIR, MENTOR, PANEL SPEAKER 2012 -2015
- Gala Co-chair: (2014 - 2015) Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ. Collaborating with Museum Director, staff, volunteers and outside contractors, produced annual major fundraising event developing theme, keynote presentations, designing logo, invitations and collateral materials. Designed, contracted and directed interior and exterior museum decor and projections, interviewed and contracted talent/ entertainment and outside services, motivated and co-directed volunteer involvement. http://artmuseum.princeton.edu/visit/calendar/2015-02/city-dynamic
- Mentor/Arts Instructor: (2012 - 2015) ArtSpace, Lawrenceville, NJ. Working with clients of HomeFront New Jersey, a non-profit organization providing housing, education and counseling services to disenfranchised individuals, I created workshops for HomeFront clients, contributors and volunteers, curated and installed educational and fundraising exhibitions https://www.homefrontnj.org/artspace/
- Panel Speaker: (2013) Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ, addressing “The Creative Spirit” with Harry I. Naar, John Suler, Anne Sears in memorial exhibition program honoring artist John Sears. https://www.rider.edu/news/2017/12/31/rider-university-art- gallery-opens-season-works-john-sears
DISTRICT CAMPAIGN MANAGER, GALLERY DIRECTOR, MENTOR 2008 - 2012
- District Campaign Manager: (2011-2012) Morrisville, PA. Conducted campaign leadership training, established district campaign headquarters, developed core team to train and motivate volunteers, directed canvassing workshops, sponsored bi-weekly telephone and door-to-door canvassing, supervised 250 volunteers in week-end and election day “get-out-the-vote” canvassing. Sponsored election night event for all volunteers. Successfully flipped Lower Bucks Country, PA for President Barack Obama.
- Gallery Director: (2010-2012) Silva Gallery, The Pennington School, Pennington, NJ. Surveyed teachers and administrators to establish gallery goals and objectives, researched, interviewed and contracted professional artists for exhibitions in private school gallery, developed workshops for students/artists, designed exhibition materials, developed mailing lists, all publicity materials and press contacts, managed gallery personnel. Directed installation of all artist exhibitions. https://www.pennington.org/arts/ silva-gallery-of-art
- Mentor: (2008 - 2011) SHARE, Trenton, NJ, Soup Kitchen (TASK) , coached disenfranchised clients to develop positive self-image, speaking, presentation and spoken word/poetry skills. Collaborated with clients, TASK staff and volunteers to create and direct development of national Hunger video award winner (RED) https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFUEw4yNdeE
FOUNDING DIRECTOR, MUSEUM EDUCATOR, CREATIVE DIRECTOR 1986-2006
- Founding Director: 1996- 2006 Cultural Arts in Progress! (CAPS!) Yardley, PA. Founded, directed, served as lead teacher for 501(C)3 non-profit interdisciplinary arts school based on indigenous, national and international cultures, art forms, techniques and philosophies forming fine arts/art history curriculums/programming for ages 5-adult, with the objective of developing awareness, appreciation and consideration of diverse cultures through interactive art experiences. Developed age-appropriate teaching methods, trained teachers, created community partnerships with local and national organizations serving homeless populations, developed family workshops, hosted poetry/writing groups, sponsored monthly Jazz Jam, collaborated with community members to design and create educational murals, produced collateral, educational, and promotional materials. Hosted monthly gallery exhibitions of local, regional and student artists.
- Museum Educator: St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM) 1989-93 St. Louis, MO. Researched museum archives, permanent and contemporary exhibitions, collaborating with museum staff and school teachers to develop instructional materials for 4th-8th grade inner city, suburban, private and public school students, for the museums educational program Art in the Basis Curriculum (ABC). Created family workshops. Developed collateral materials for inclusion in ABC Teaching Collateral delivered to US art museums and schools.
Education & Residencies:
MFA Hunter College 2021 (Integrated Media Arts)
Harvard University Graduate Certificate Visual Arts 2018
Mass MoCA Assets for Artists Residency 2017
SVA Residency in Contemporary Practices 2017
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Assets for Artists Residency 2015
Experimental Acrylic Workshops with Csilla Sadloch 2010
Printmaking, Parsons The New School, NYC 2006 - 2010
BFA Drake University, Des Moines, IA
SACI, Studio Art Center International, Florence, Italy
Hanover Colleege, Hanover, IN
Bibliography:
"Through Plexiglass, Darkly" Artist Cynthia Groya's New Work in Princeton Views Civil War Through Abstract Art" Jan. 29, 2016
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/life-style/local-feature/cynthia-...
The Sly Fox Film Reviews: Tangled Roots - kamwilliams.com
"Reflecting on War Through Art" by Anthony Stoeckert, Princeton Packet (centraljersey.com)
Gallery Gameplan: It’s First Friday, people SEPTEMBER 02, 2016
MIKALA JAMISON http://www.phillyvoice.com/gallery-gameplan-its-first-friday-people/
Shrift, Gwen "Spirit of the Age" PhillyBurbs.com March 28, 2010 "A Morrisville artist interprets contemporary culture... "
Valerie Reed “Celebrating creativity, culture” Philadelphia Inquirer, 2002