BIO
Ana Morales is a Roanoke-based artist who works primarily as a painter. She holds a BFA from James Madison University, where she studied studio art and art education. She works part time as an art educator and this summer she will receive her MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Morales has exhibited her work locally and nationally and in 2015 she was awarded 2nd place at the Roanoke College Biennial.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am one of those artists whose work is about bodies. It is very possible that one day I will just have parts of a body, but for now I have all my tingly limbs and digits. I have a made a broad range of work about diabetes over the past six years and I’ve learned a great deal about my personality, my body, and the disease that plagues it. I was three years old when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I usually see my early diagnosis as a blessing because I don’t remember my life without it. One thing that motivates me to continue this work is the importance of awareness: supporting others who deal with diseases, exploring the relationship between the body and the mind, and creating channels of communication between patients and medical professionals that specifically address the emotional side of living with a chronic illness. In my experience, doctors have rarely asked me about my mental state or treated my mental wellness as a priority. The main concern is keeping my blood glucose levels within range. While this is important, it’s hard to manage blood glucose levels under the weight of depression and stress. As an educator, I see great value in using art to spread information that fosters empathy and unity. As I continue to cope with my diabetes through art, I hope I can also positively influence others.
EDUCATION
2016
Master of Fine Arts, Studio Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
2013
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art: Painting and Drawing, Art Education Licensure, Cum Laude, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, Virginia.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2016
Low-Residency MFA Show, Sullivan Galleries, SAIC. Chicago, Illinois.
Monster Art Rally, Taubman Museum of Art. Roanoke, Virginia.
2015
The Gallery U Group Show, The Alternative Gallery. Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Against the Grains Group Show, Salem Museum. Salem, Virginia.
Interwoven Group Show, Throop Studio. Chicago, Illinois.
Display in Firefly Fare Restaurant, The Market Building. Roanoke, Virginia.
LRA Rotating Galleries, Hermitage Retirement Community. Roanoke, Virginia.
Monster Art Rally, Taubman Museum of Art. Roanoke, Virginia.
Precision and Reach, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.
Artist of the Month, Cups Coffee and Tea. Roanoke, Virginia.
Edna Curry / John Bower 1st Annual Exhibition, The Bower Art Center. Bedford, Virginia.
Juried Biennial Exhibition, Roanoke College. Salem, Virginia.
Star City Denim and Diamonds Gala Auction, Hotel Roanoke. Roanoke, Virginia.
2014
Medical Avatar: The Health Time Machine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.
Fall Home Show, Salem Civic Center. Salem, Virginia.
Annual League of Roanoke Artists Showcase, Jefferson Center. Roanoke, Virginia.
The Art of Science Spring 2014 Exhibition, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.
2013
Fall 2013 Art Exhibition, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Roanoke, Virginia.
Art in the City Silent Auction. Roanoke, Virginia.
Annual League of Roanoke Artists Showcase, Jefferson Center. Roanoke, Virginia.
Two-Person Exhibition, Wine-Riner Gallery, Larkin Arts. Harrisonburg, Virginia.
2012
Featured Artist, Duo Clothing Store. Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Group Show, ArtWorks Gallery, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Annual League of Roanoke Artists Showcase, Jefferson Center. Roanoke, Virginia.
Annual Undergraduate Art Exhibition, ArtWorks Gallery, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, Virginia.
2011
Annual League of Roanoke Artists Showcase, Jefferson Center. Roanoke, Virginia.
2009
Dessert with the Arts, Northside High School.
“Best in Show” SPCA Benefit, The Taubman Art Museum. Roanoke, Virginia.
Scholastic Art Awards Reception. Pulaski, Virginia.
Annual High School Art Exhibition, Center in the Square. Roanoke, Virginia.
2008
Dessert with the Arts, Northside High School.
2007
Dessert with the Arts, Northside High School.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2015
Second Place. Juried Biennial Exhibition. Roanoke College. Salem, Virginia.
2013
National League of American Pen Women of the Roanoke Valley Award. 32nd Annual LRA Showcase. Jefferson Center. Roanoke, Virginia
2012
Junior Art Achievement Award in Art Education. James Madison University. Roanoke, Virginia.
2009
Gold Key Award. Scholastic Art Awards. Pulaski, Virginia.
Silver Key Award. Scholastic Art Awards. Pulaski, Virginia.
Best of Show. Dessert with the Arts. Northside High School. Roanoke, Virginia.
First Place. Dessert with the Arts. Northside High School. Roanoke, Virginia.
Festival in the Park Art Scholarship. Roanoke, Virginia.
2008
Second Place. Dessert with the Arts. Northside High School. Roanoke, Virginia.
Laban Johnson Art Scholarship. Roanoke, Virginia.
First Place in Visual Arts. Reflections. Northside High School. Roanoke, Virginia.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2013
Martha Miller Johnson. “Diabetes Art Day,” Diabetic Living Magazine.
2012
Catherine Price. “The Sweet Arts,” The Diabetes Experience.
Amy Mercer. “Holiday Gift Guide,” The Diabetes Experience.
2011
Tracey Nelthercott. “Teamwork: Banding Together to Tackle Diabetes,” Diabetes Forecast Magazine.
Amy Mercer. “A Smart and Creative Woman Dress with Diabetes,” The Smart Woman’s Guide to Diabetes.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
The League of Roanoke Artists
The Taubman Museum of Art
