Tag Archives: Art Show

Solo Art Exhibition Featuring Mary Ahern – Ceres Gallery, Chelsea, NYC

Mary Ahern Artist

Centering in the Midst of Chaos

Multi-Media Exhibition

November 3 – 28, 2026

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 5, 6:00–8:00 PM
Meet the Artist Reception: Saturday, November 7, 1:00–3:00 PM
Closing Reception: Saturday, November 28, 1:00–3:00 PM

Ceres Gallery

547 West 27th St
Suite 201
New York, NY 10001

Website: CeresGallery.org

Gallery Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday 12 pm – 6 pm 

NEW YORK, NY — Ceres Gallery is pleased to present Centering in the Midst of Chaos, an exhibition of oil paintings, digital artwork, and an immersive installation by artist Mary Ahern.

This exhibition is a multidisciplinary work by Ahern, using paint, pixels, sound, and soil to explore the counterbalance between centering and chaos. It brings together lifelong threads of Ahern’s creative practice, including philosophy, symbolism, and the tension between what can be touched and what can only be seen.

In her oil paintings, Ahern layers magnified florals from her own garden with abstractions drawn from images of the galaxy, inviting contemplation of harmony and balance across both the microcosm and macrocosm of existence. Circles and spheres run through the work and carry many meanings, among them the circle of life, meditation, and safety.

At the center of the exhibition is an immersive installation, A Space for Centering, which recreates on an intimate scale the calming effect of time spent close to plants and flowers, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

About Mary Ahern

Mary Ahern is a multidisciplinary artist based in Northport, New York, working across oil painting, digital media, video, and installation. She earned dual degrees in fine arts and horticulture, and spent decades working in computer graphics and technology, combining the eye of an artist with the insight of a scientist.

Ahern’s work has been on view at multiple museums and arboretums, and is held in collections throughout the United States and internationally. She is represented by Ceres Gallery in Chelsea, New York, and her work is featured on Artsy and Bloomberg Connects.

Ceres Gallery is a feminist, not-for-profit alternative space in New York City dedicated to promoting contemporary women in the arts. Founded to expand opportunities for women artists, Ceres provides an inclusive exhibition space that raises public awareness and challenges the limited access women often face in commercial galleries.

This Week in the Studio – August 31-September 6, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

Weekly Wrap-Up: Studio Glimpses

This week the installation for Centering in the Midst of Chaos started to become real. The custom-printed fabric arrived, and after a nervous day of not opening the package, I finally cut into it. The colors are bright, just as I’d hoped, printed from the centers of my oil and digital paintings. White doesn’t print, so a few petals will need some imagination to complete, but I’m not letting that small miss slow me down.

By Saturday I was up on the stepstool pinning the panels to the front of the installation to test my idea. It worked. The two panels match in size and position, and they’ll form the circle of circles at the entry just as I designed it. Next comes measuring and hemming, and I’m deciding whether to try iron-on tape myself or hand the job to a seamstress. Sewing has never been my thing, and I’ve made peace with that. We can’t be good at everything.

I also spent a full day recording the statements for each of the oil paintings in the show. It turned out to be harder than I expected, closer to acting or narrating an audiobook than writing. I wrote each statement first, then read it aloud maybe ten times before I felt ready, and it still took several tries per recording to get one I liked. Sitting up straight and breathing from the diaphragm made all the difference, something I hadn’t thought about since I played the trumpet.

In between, I spent a day at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum filming dahlias for the installation video, bees included. And my article for Sanctuary Magazine, on slow looking as a counterbalance to chaos, was published, which feels like it’s speaking directly to the work happening in the studio right now.

Scroll down to see all the Studio Glimpses for a behind the scenes view of how an exhibition comes together.

I began this daily journal in February, 2026 as I prepared for three exhibitions. My solo exhibition, “Portraits From My Garden” at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 12, 2026, and my work for the group show, “Raising Women’s Voices” in Chelsea, NYC which was on view until July 18, 2026.

My next solo exhibition titled “Centering in the Midst of Chaos” will be at the Ceres Gallery in Chelsea, New York City, November 3 – 28, 2026.

This Week in the Studio – August 24-30, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

Weekly Wrap-Up: Studio Glimpses

This week the installation moved from idea to something I could actually see working. I placed the order for my artwork to be printed on sheer curtain fabric that I’m planning to hang on the frame of the installation. I made myself press “Place the order” despite every voice in my head insisting I wasn’t ready yet. A large part of my week was trading iMovie for CapCut. The new video editor is so feature rich that I watched a lot of tutorials to find what I needed. Learning a new set of tools mid-project because the new editor is more versatile with horizontal and vertical aspect ratios added many additional hours to my work week that I hadn’t expected. Editing is its own craft, full of decisions. Sorting through many years worth of image and video content, writing captions and storylines, deciding on music for the background ambiance, and selecting the right transitions to use between clips. By the end of the week, the video draft for the display monitor in the installation was live on the Raspberry Pi. Headphones were connected and working as expected. The monitor booted up and automatically displayed the video draft I created. A power strip was mounted safely in a basket underneath the table, and all the electronics are controlled with the flick of one switch, including the water fountain. By the end of the week, I finished editing My New World – Anemone Redux, a video following one painting from 2018 to its 2024 revision. I hosted it on Vimeo rather than YouTube, which I’ll use for all the videos I create for the exhibition since it has no distracting advertising. Having a working system was a huge step to reducing the stress I’ve felt about bringing my ideas to fruition.

Scroll down to see all the Studio Glimpses for a behind the scenes view of how an exhibition comes together.

I began this daily journal in February, 2026 as I prepared for three exhibitions. My solo exhibition, “Portraits From My Garden” at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 12, 2026, and my work for the group show, “Raising Women’s Voices” in Chelsea, NYC which was on view until July 18, 2026.

My next solo exhibition titled “Centering in the Midst of Chaos” will be at the Ceres Gallery in Chelsea, New York City, November 3 – 28, 2026.

This Week in the Studio – August 17-23, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

Weekly Wrap-Up: Studio Glimpses: Week in Review
Week in Review August 17-23,  2026

This week I worked on the entry curtains for my November installation, Centering in the Midst of Chaos. After a meeting with Printree, the fabric printer, I had the fabric specs I needed and built a circular grid in Photoshop of some of my artwork to make an entry statement into the installation. Partway through, I realized I’d made this shape before, over 20 years ago, drawing the Compositae family for my Botanical Illustration Certificate. Circles within circles, decades apart. Different tools, same center.

Sharing the project with my Techspressionism group led me somewhere new too. A member connected my work to the Healing Arts movement, and I’ve been reading the book she recommended, Your Brain on Art, ever since. Slowing down and looking closely has always been at the heart of what I make, in paintings and in my garden alike. I also spent a day sorting out Vimeo versus YouTube, deciding to keep YouTube for my regular videos and host exhibition work on Vimeo instead. I finished the week masking the centers of my artwork in thin transparent layers so they will print on the sheer fabric hanging on the installation. I’m chasing that same sense of transparency in pixels that I’ve always worked toward in paint and also my life.

Scroll down to see all the Studio Glimpses for a behind the scenes view of how an exhibition comes together.

I began this daily journal in February, 2026 as I prepared for three exhibitions. My solo exhibition, “Portraits From My Garden” at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 12, 2026, and my work for the group show, “Raising Women’s Voices” in Chelsea, NYC which was on view until July 18, 2026.

My next solo exhibition titled “Centering in the Midst of Chaos” will be at the Ceres Gallery in Chelsea, New York City, November 3 – 28, 2026.

June 27, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

Once I block in the outline of the drawing of a new oil painting, I then reshape the entire piece to conform to my knowledge of how the flower actually looks in nature. It’s a tightrope walk between my background in botanical illustration and my desire to incorporate abstraction intertwined with the flower. My tendency is always to go for complete accuracy but my artistic side pushes back demanding a different vision. Each painting lands on one side or another of this vision.

On my deck in the morning, the sun catches the brilliance of the Cordyline fruticosa, otherwise called a Ti plant. These changing colors throughout the day always make my heart sing.

To the left of the Cordyline is the squirrel proof bird feeder which gives me endless pleasure watching the feasting and singing of the birds in my garden. The only downside is the chipmunks who also enjoy emptying the feeder since they don’t weigh enough to bring down the metal grid which closes the seed access windows.

I began this daily journal in February, 2026 as I prepared for my solo exhibition, “Portraits From My Garden” at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 15, 2026, my work for the group show, “Hearing Women’s Voices” at the Ceres Gallery in from June 23. to July 18, 2026, and my upcoming November 2026, solo exhibition titled, “Centering in the Midst of Chaos” in Chelsea, New York City

June 25, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

Tonight was the Opening Reception of the group show, “Raising Women’s Voices” at the Ceres Gallery in Chelsea, NY. I went into the city, that’s what Long Islanders call Manhattan, and then walked along the Highline to the gallery. Getting there earlier than the beginning of the reception was my goal since I wanted to take video of all the artists’ work. I made it in time and then stayed for the actual reception, which was from 6-8 pm. We had a steady flow of visitors, most of whom were very interested in speaking with the artists who were there. I was asked by a few of the visitors what the thematic thread was to my work and the philosophical underpinnings. Some were probably artists themselves and asked specific questions about process. It was an amazing evening engaging with an audience that was able to have higher-level conversations about art. This makes all the efforts we artists put into our work so very worthwhile. The door-to-door round trip to the gallery and home is between 4 ½ and five hours for me, depending on traffic and catching the right train.

My Cosmic Phalaenopsis oil painting was on view along with the work of the other gallery artists. It’s so great to be showing in a gallery in Chelsea, the heart of the art scene in NYC. A fifty-year dream come true.
So many people were spending time looking and talking about the art. It was so uplifting.
Walking along the Highline back to Penn Station for the trip home was such a welcome, relaxing mix of nature and New York City.

I began this daily journal in February, 2026 as I prepared for my solo exhibition at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 15, 2026, my work for the group show at the Ceres Gallery in from June 23. to July 18, 2026, and my upcoming November 2026, solo exhibition in Chelsea, New York City

June 15, 2026

Mary Ahern Artist

My solo exhibition, in Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie had an opening reception last weekend. That reception was attended by Myrna Haskell, Founder and Executive Editor of Sanctuary Magazine. In this month’s edition of Sanctuary, Myrna featured a column titled, Event Hop. She wrote about one of the pieces in the exhibition that drew her eye repeatedly. This is what she wrote:

“I attended the opening reception for Mary Ahern’s solo exhibition at Locust Grove Historic Site titled “Portraits From My Garden.” I hadn’t viewed so many of Mary’s works together in one space before, and it was a delight. The vibrant colors and attention to light and texture drew me in.

I asked Mary about her piece ‘We Are Sisters.’ She shares, ‘All of my works tell a story. This painting is about two sisters, and it demonstrates how one outshines the other. An inspiration was Bette Midler’s song ‘Wind Beneath My Wings.’ Who is the vocal one? Who shies away from attention? You’ll notice that the warmer reds are used in the flower in the foreground, while the other is slightly faded.’ 

Click here to read the entire article on the free online Sanctuary Magazine, Event Hop

This is a daily journal of my solo exhibition at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY, from June 5 – September 15, 2026, my work in the group show at the Ceres Gallery in June, and my upcoming November solo exhibition in Chelsea, New York City.

Mary Ahern Featured in Locust Grove Solo Art Exhibition

Mary Ahern Artist

Award-Winning Northport Artist, Mary Ahern, has been selected for a Solo Exhibition at the Locust Grove Historic Site in Poughkeepsie, NY

Portraits From My Garden

June 5, 2026 – September 12, 2026

Opening Reception: Sunday, June 7, 2026. 1-3 PM

Locust Grove Historic Site

2683 South Road

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

p. 845-454-4500

Website: lgny.org

Locust Grove Historic Site

Mary Ahern, the renowned Northport artist, has been invited to display her award-winning Flower Portraits at the historic Locust Manor Historic Site in Poughkeepsie, NY, for a two-and-a-half-month solo exhibition. With degrees in both Fine Art and Horticulture, Mary has discovered that cultivation and creation are inseparable — her garden serving as both muse and teacher, its cycles of growth, senescence, and rebirth informing everything that emerges in her studio. Working in bold scale and vivid detail, she layers pigments to capture not just what flowers look like, but what they feel like, blending abstraction and realism into luminous paintings that pulse with life and color. Her Flower Portraits are celebrations of beauty and resilience, love letters to the natural world that invite viewers to look beyond surface appearances and discover their own connection to the living world around them.

“Dance With Me – Calla Lily” 30×24″ Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas. $2,750
Mary Ahern Artist

November 20 – December 21, 2025
1200 NY-25A, Stony Brook, NY 11790


The Museum is open: Thursday: 11:30 am to 7:00 pm & Friday–Sunday: Noon to  5:00 pm

Reception: Thursday, November 20th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m

The Long Island Museum and LIMarts are thrilled to present Common Ground, celebrating the vibrant creativity of our region’s artists.

For generations, LIM  has served as a gathering place where people of all ages come together to experience the art, history, and culture that define our region. This year’s exhibition centers on the theme of Common Ground, an exploration of shared spaces, community, environment, and cultural connection.

Each artist was invited to reflect on what Common Ground means to them—whether it’s rooted in land, identity, gathering, or personal connection. The exhibition invites visitors to consider how we may share commonalities with one another and discover something new about ourselves along the way. While Long Island itself is our shared foundation, every artist brings their own story and perspective to life here.

LIMarts is a special initiative dedicated to supporting and showcasing the exceptional visual artists who call Long Island home—from Brooklyn to Montauk and beyond. This annual exhibition celebrates the diversity, creativity, and talent that make our community so extraordinary.

Cosmic Camellias. 24×36″ Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas. $3,000.

Cosmic Camellias Statement:

This artwork sparks a vital conversation that reflects the interconnectedness and delicate balance within both the microcosm of my garden and the macrocosm of the cosmos. These identifiable floral Images are glazed and intertwined with my abstract underpaintings inspired by the visuals of the universe.

By recognizing the delicate balance required for both terrestrial and celestial ecosystems to thrive, I aim to provide a visual context for understanding the essential balance necessary to sustain life’s intricate harmony across all scales – from the tiniest flower to the grandest galaxy.

Through this layered, evocative imagery, I invite viewers to pause, contemplate, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the fragile yet resilient web of life that sustains our world and cosmos.

Pigments of Your Imagination at the Art League of LI

Mary Ahern Artist

Juried into this dynamic exhibition by Joshua Ruff, Co-Director of the Long Island Museum of Art, is my oil painting, Phantasm – Coral Peony.

“Phantasm – Coral Sunset Peony”, a 36×36″ oil painting, is a vivid celebration of life’s vibrant energy inspired by the peonies that enchant my garden. Imagine a dynamic dance of colors—pink, yellow, and orange petals that swirl with a captivating grace, all harmoniously converging towards a lively green center. The energy in the petals encircling the center of the flower also represents the feeling humans have when they are moved by emotions. This piece is about celebrating movement and color, capturing the very essence of a flower in full bloom. It invites you to step into a world where every brushstroke is infused with the joy and wonder of nature’s beauty. I hope it inspires a moment of reflection and connection to the natural vibrancy all around us.

Phantasm – Coral Sunset. 36×36″ Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas.

Mary Ahern Artist

Imagination ’25 Exhibition at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James, NY

This is a very interesting show to see. Very unusual and perfect for the Halloween season.

My work was juried into this “Imagination” exhibition but the other work in this show is very, very different in style. There are many excellent and imaginative works for you to see. Give yourself a treat and go to see this fascinating show.

Mills Pond Gallery, 660 New York 25A, St James, NY. Gallery Open, Wed-Fri, 10-4pm. Sat & Sun, 12-4pm