Collis Marshall

Collis Marshall received a masters' degree in fine arts/studio art and creativity with a thesis exhibition in 2005. Her professional training also conferred a masters' degree in Expressive Arts Therapies through Allied Health (1998) both from the University of Louisville. She maintains a sewing studio and conducts art-making workshops throughout the region at libraries, hospitals and schools through VSA Arts KY and Arts Access programs. She participates in teacher training institutes as a creativity specialist. Community art projects include a 'Gallopalooza' horse for Kutz-Kleinert hand surgeons and a 300 square foot mural at the Louisville Nature Center.  In 2006 she was invited to exhibit at "Beadwork 21st Century Style" at Mt. Ida College in Massachusetts and to speak on a panel of eight contemporary bead artists.  The beadwork and mixed media textile work she creates is sculptural and sometimes wearable art. She has an experiential openness to materials and techniques and considers problem solving a great motivation. She searches for the unifying thread, which connects the expression of her inner emotional state to a palette. Over the past decade her work has been published often, sold to private collectors and exhibited consistently on a local level. She finds joy and humor through her labor-intensive process and has traveled extensively to participate in conferences with other bead artists. Perseverance with her primary art medium has taught her to value patience and delayed gratification.  The ability to coordinate academic, social and emotional learning is part of the path of wellness that she strives for. She works with many exceptional children on a regular basis, including working with at risk and traumatized children.