Artist Statement

I am a sculptor who does public art installations, gallery work, and commissions.

I work in a wide variety of media, including bronze, steel, wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, neon, adobe, and poetry.

My goal is to nudge people out of their routines so they become more conscious of moments of variety and richness in daily life.

Much of my work is site specific. The appearance of the site, its function, and the people who use it all have a huge influence in determining the nature of the art. For this reason, I welcome collaboration with local communities, developers, and with other artists.

Click here for a pdf version of the resume

Exhibitions

  • The Commonwealth Club. Art Inspired by Travel. Curator Robert Melton. San Francisco CA. Sept 30, 2022- February 17, 2023.
  • Pence Gallery. Slice. Juror Chris Daubert. Davis CA. June 21, 2022-August 17, 2022.
  • Gallerium Art Exhibitions. Migration 2021. An International Juried Visual Arts Show. December 18, 2021- January 18, 2022.
  • The Commonwealth Club. Sculpture of the Pacific Rim. Curator Robert Melton. San Francisco, CA. September 17, 2021-June 2022.
  • De Young Museum. The De Young Open. Open submissions from nine Bay Area counties. 900 were accepted for a 'salon-style exhibition from 11,000 submissions. San Francisco, CA. 2020.
  • Artworks downtown, San Rafael. 100 Years of Freedom. Honors the centennial of women's right to vote. Explores the concept of freedom. Juror Christine Koppes. San Rafael, CA. March 6 – April 10. 2020.
  • Epperson Gallery of Ceramic Arts. What Lies Beneath. A National Call for Surrealist. Sculpture. Juror Lisa Clague. February 14 – March 15, 2020.
  • Epperson Gallery of Ceramic Arts. Vessel. Crockett, CA. January 10 -February 9, 2020.
  • Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Dog Park. Installation conceived, installed, and curated by Maru Hoeber and Ruby Wolfman. Albany, CA. September 4 – 30, 2019.
  • Epperson Gallery, Clay Matters. Juror Beth Ann Gerstein. First annual Ceramic Art Competition. Crockett, CA. March 22 – May 5, 2019.
  • Shoh Gallery, Matter of Form. Presented by Pacific Rim Sculptors. Juror Christine Koppes, curator, director of San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. Berkeley, CA. April 17 – May 11, 2019.
  • Peninsula Museum of Art, Sculpture Now. Pacific Rim Sculpture show. Juror Brigitte Mikmacker of Sculpturesite Gallery. Burlingame, CA. January 31 – March 31, 2019.
  • Berkeley Art Center, Here. Juror Walter Maciel. Berkeley, CA. December 15 – January 11, 2019
  • Arc Gallery, Liberty.  Juror Donna Seager. San Francisco, CA. November 10 – December 8, 2018.
  • Jack Fischer Gallery, Room for Thought. PRS juried exhibition. Juror Jack Fischer. San Francisco, CA. March 17 - April 28, 2018.
  • Blue Line Arts, By Hand. A national juried crafts competition. Juror Marianne Bland. Roseville, CA.
  • Arc Gallery, Liberty.  Juror Donna Seager. San Francisco, CA. Roseville, CA. January 19 – March 3, 2018.
  • Blue Line Arts, Off Center: An international ceramic art competition. Jurors Sandy Simon and Bob Brady. Roseville, CA. April 14 – May 27, 2017.
  • St Mary's College, Museum of Art. Social Justice: It Happens to One, It Happens to All. Moraga, CA. September18 – December 11, 2016.
  • Blue Line Arts, Politically Charged. Jurors Phil and Marilyn Isenberg. Roseville, CA. August 26 – October 1, 2016.
  • Pence Gallery, Slice, A Cross Section of Regional Art. Juror DeWitt Cheng. Davis, CA. July 8 – August 21, 2016.
  • Blue Line Arts, By Hand. A national juried crafts exhibition. Juror Elizabeth R. Argo. Roseville, CA. January 15-February 27, 2016.
  • Grounds for Sculpture, Disruption. Hamilton, NJ. October 23, 2015 – April 3, 2016.
  • Arts Benicia, Gems III. Benicia, CA. December 2-20, 2015.
  • Ekfrasi-Yianna Grammatopoulou Gallery. Magic Carpet Ride. San Francisco Pacific Rim Sculptors meet 12 Athenian Sculptors. Athens, Greece. September – October 17, 2015.
  • Richmond Art Center. California Now, Clay, Glass, & Enamel. Richmond, CA. June 13-August 21, 2015.
  • Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Preview. Albany, CA. April 11- May 10, 2015.
  • Vessel Gallery, Artists; Women. Oakland, CA. February19 - March 28, 2015.
  • Richmond Art Center. Pacific Rim Sculptors. Sculpture! Juror John Toki. Richmond, CA. June 14 – August 22, 2014
  • Berkeley Art Center. Soapbox. Jurors Boots Riley and Stephen Wolf. Berkeley, CA. June 28 – August 10, 2014.
  • Epperson Gallery. Eccentric. Jurors Maru Hoeber and Ruby Wolfman. Crockett, CA. July 7- 20, 2014.
  • The Atrium. Solo Journey. San Francisco, CA. January 23 - March 20, 2014.
  • Blue Line Gallery and Art League of Lincoln. America's Clayfest. Juror Richard Shaw. Roseville, CA. May 2013.
  • Leslie Ceramics, Potters' Studio Show, Berkeley, CA. Oct. 13 – Dec. 8, 2012.
  • Falkirk Cultural Center, Bi-Annual Juried Exhibition. San Rafael, CA. September 14 – October 27, 2012
  • Vessel Gallery, Vessel 8. Charting the Waters. Berkeley, CA. May 1- June 30, 2012.
  • Korea Ceramic Foundation (KOCEF) GICB Biennale 2011 International Competition. Sept. 22 – Nov. 22, 2011.
  • Liberty Arts Gallery, Pacific Rim Sculptors Group. Yreka, CA. Sept.16 – Oct 22, 2011
  • Gladding, McBean Factory. Feats of Clay XXIV. Lincoln, CA. April 23 – May 29, 2011
  • Vessel Gallery, Sculpture. Oakland, CA. Nov. 2-27, 1010
  • Art at the Cheese Factory. Point Reyes, CA. March 12 – May 31, 2010
  • Cricket Engine Gallery, Earthy Pleasures. March 6 – 31, 2010
  • Art Foundry Gallery, Ten-Year Celebration. Sacramento, CA. Nov. 8 –Dec. 6, 2008
  • City of Berkeley, Addison Street Window Gallery. Potters’ Studio Show. Berkeley, CA. Nov. 2-30, 2008
  • Potters’ Studio Gallery. Critters, Crocks and Crates. Berkeley, CA. Sept. 25-Nov. 30, 2008
  • City of Berkeley, Addison Street Windows Gallery. Berkeley, CA. Nov. 2 – 30, 2008
  • ACCI, National Fine Crafts Exhibition. Juried by Carol Beadle and Virginia Breier. Berkeley, CA. July 13 – August 18, 2007
  • Pacific Rim Sculptors Group. Sixteen Years at Townsend. Juried by Bob Brady, Atrium Gallery, San Francisco, CA. July 27 – Sept. 8, 2006
  • Axis Gallery, Invitational. Sacramento, CA. April 1 – 30, 2006
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Art as Environment. Sacramento, CA. July 7-Aug. 6, 2005
  • San Jose Museum of Art. Pacific Rim Sculptors Group. Obedient Nature. Juried by JoAnne Northrup, Senior Curator at the Atrium Gallery in San Francisco. San Jose, CA. July 28 –
  • Sept. 23, 2005
  • Falkirk Cultural Center, Wit and Wisdom. Curated by Beth Goldberg and Nancy Legge, San Rafael, CA. Jan. 27 - March 5, 2005
  • Grounds for Sculpture, Sculpture Park. Off the Rim. Hamilton, NJ. May-Sept. 2004.
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Maru Hoeber: Life as a Boat, One-Person Show. Sacramento, CA. Feb. 2004
  • U. C. Davis, Design Museum, Walker Hall. The Art of Healing Breast Cancer, A Union of Science and Design. Oct.1 7 – Nov.19, 2004.
  • Art Gallery Foundry. Anniversary Show. Sacramento, CA. 2003.
  • Pacific Rim Sculptors Group, California Dreaming. Juried by John Toki. San Francisco, CA. Feb. 2003
  • Pacific Rim Sculptors Group, Pacific Rim Outdoor Show. Juried by Brigitte Micmacker & John Denning of New Leaf Gallery). San Francisco, CA. Aug. 2003
  • Exploding Head Gallery, Inside Out. Sacramento, CA. July 10-August 2, 22003
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery. Maru Hoeber: Dog Park. Installation, One-Person Show. Sacramento, CA. Feb.2002.
  • Exploding Head Gallery, CONCEAL / REVEAL. Sacramento, CA. Dec.14 – Jan. 4, 2002.
  • The Sculpture Group. Annual Juried Sculpture Exhibition. Danville, CA. Nov. 2001.
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery. Modern Tea Party. Sacramento, CA. December 2001
  • Art Foundry Gallery. The Exquisite Corpse. Sacramento, CA. Oct.14-Nov 4, 2000.
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery. Maru Hoeber: Momentary Fleets. One-Person Show. Sacramento, CA. April 2000.
  • The Art Foundry Gallery. The Foundry Fifty. Sacramento, CA. January 1999.
  • The Sculpture Group. Annual Juried Sculpture Exhibition. Danville, CA. September 1998.
  • 750 Gallery. Art for Tibet: Witness. Sacramento, CA. August 1998.
  • Center for Contemporary Art. Death and Desire. Sacramento, CA. September 1998.
  • Solomon Dubnick Gallery. Self-Expressions. Sacramento, CA. June 1998.
  • Barton Gallery. Artists’ Art that is N.F.S. Sacramento, CA.
  • Brockman Gallery. Time and Light. One-Person Show. Los Angeles, CA. December 1990.
  • Kondos Gallery. Sacramento City College. Art and Artists. Sacramento, CA. Nov. 1989.
  • Himovitz at Brownie's. Maru Hoeber and Stephen Fleming. Sacramento, CA. May 1989.
  • Himovitz Gallery Pavilions. Alchemy of the Book.  Sacramento, CA. March 1991.
  • Institute for Design and Experimental Art. Public Art Concepts, Collaborations with Alonzo Davis. Sacramento, CA. September 1990.
  • Michael Himovitz Gallery, Windows for Windowless Walls, One-Person Show. Sacramento, CA. June 1989.
  • Sierra College. What a Group! Artists Teaching in Rocklin, Rocklin, CA. September 1988.
  • Pence Gallery. Visions of Peace. Davis, CA. December 1988.
  • Sierra College. The Bench Show. Rocklin, CA. October 1987.
  • Shackelford and Sears, Manifestation. Davis, CA. December 1985.
  • Artists Contemporary Gallery, Landscape Perspective, Two-Person Show. Sacramento, CA. October 1985.
  • Matrix Gallery, Curator for Three Dimensions Eight Ways. Sacramento, CA. October 1985.

Public Commissions and Site-Specific Installations

  • Treasure Hunt. Site-Specific art for Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Swimming Pool Complex. Completion: Summer 2002.
  • The Violent Tenor of Life. Installation at Fairfield Civic Arts. In Conjunction with Where is Fair-field, Ca. September 1997.
  • Landmark Forest. Sculpture for lobby of Landmark Building at Howe and Arden in Sacra-mento. August 1995.
  • Picnic, Crossword and Lab Coat. Three bronze works installed at University of California Davis Medical Center. Sacramento. February 1994.
  • Bannon Barn. Permanent site-specific installation in a Sacramento city park. October 1993.
  • Art on the Boulevard. Organized and participated in installation of 19 painted doors (38 sides) on boulevard median in north Sacramento. Directed work by community, local artists and students from sculpture class at Sacramento City College. 1993-94.
  • In Lak'Esh: Collaboration of Vision and Voice. Founder, coordinator, and participant in a collaboration between 30 poets and 30 visual artists. Southern Pacific Railroad Warehouse, Sacramento. October 1991.
  • Bosque. Site-specific installation at Institute for Design and Experimental Art, Sacramento. October 1991.
  • I Believe in Yesterday. Bronze sculpture for a children's park (Natomas Station), Folsom, California. September 1990.
  • Sculpture Sacramento. Permanent installation in Sacramento City Hall. February 1987.
  • Sculpture Sacramento. Site-specific installation afloat on the Sacramento River. September 1982.

Awards

  • Berkeley Art Center Association. Membership Show, Honorable Mention. Dec. 2006
  • Juncture. First prize for site-specific sculpture made of recycled materials. In collaboration with Sacramento City College Students. City and County of Sacramento with Uptown Arts/Phantom Galleries, 1997.
  • Berkeley Art Center Association: 11th Annual National Juried Exhibition. Mixed Media Award. 1995.
  • Community Artist Fellowship. Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, 1995.
  • Innovating and Program Development Grant. Sacramento City College. 1992.
  • Alice S. Reynolds Memorial Award for Small Sculpture. Stockton Art League. June 1985.
  • Wltt Award California State University, Sacramento. May 1982.

Major Reviews, Articles & Publications

  • Social Justice: It Happens to One, It Happens to All. Gutfreund Cornett Art at St Mary's College Museum of Art. Sept 18-Dec.11, 2016.
  • Artists as Activists: Pursuing Social Justice. Amy Pleasant. Huffington Post September 6, 2016.
  • Disruption. ISC Chapter Groups at Grounds for Sculpture. Ilene Dube, Sculpture, May 2016.
  • The Art Collection of the U.C. Davis Health System. Susan Willoughby. 2012.
  • 2010 International Competition: Gyeonggi International Ceramix Biennale 2011. Catalogue. 2011
  • Metaphoric Vessels are Both Natural, Artful. Victoria Dalkey. Sacramento Bee. April 16, 2000.
  • Exhibit Drawing Attention to the Plight of Tibet. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee. August 2, 1998.
  • Death and Desire. Kimi Julian, Sacramento News & Review. September 17, 1998.
  • Nouvel Objet, Issue #3. Design House Inc. Seoul, Korea. 1997.
  • Artworks for Elementary Teachers. 8th edition. Don and Barbara Herberholz. McGraw Hill. October 1997.
  • Exhibit Lights up Downtown Gallery [Fairfield Civic Arts, where is Fairfield?] Amy Maginnis, “daily Republic.” September 19, 1997.
  • Watermarks: Cosumnes River Preserve Project at CCA [Center for Contemporary Art]. Cassandra Dearborne. "On the Town." March 18, 1997.
  • Interpretation of Tarot Cards at Thomas D. Oldham Gallery. Cassandra Dearborne, "On the Town." September 3, 1996.
  • 20O Artists Give Life to Phoenix. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee. February 12, 1995.
  • In the Tradition: The Next Generation. Allen Gordon, Artweek. August 5, 1993.
  • Maru, Art Guru. "Suttertown News." November 25, 1993.
  • Committing Life Through Art. One-hour documentary narrated by August Coppola. KVIE-TV. May 1992.
  • In Lak'Esh. Catalog. 1991.
  • Art in the Park. On the Wing. November 1990.
  • Personal and Public Expressions. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee. October 28, 1990.
  • Art in the Right Places. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee. June 7, 1987.
  • A Contemporary Christmas Scene Davis Enterprise. December 19, 1985.
  • How Green is the Grass. Alfred Kay. Sacramento Bee. October 27, 1985.
  • Local Artists Worth Watching For. Executive Place. November 1984.
  • Gloomy Art. Ellen Schlesinger, Sacramento Bee. September 18, 1993.
  • The Site-Specific Game. Jeff Kelley. Artweek. October 16, 1983.
  • Sculpture Sacramento. Catalog. September 1982.
  • Sculpture Sacramento. Sacramento Bee. September 15, 1982.
  • Art on the Public Faces. A.G. Block, "Sacramento Magazine." September 1982.
  • A Rare Bird, Pat Grizzel. Suttertown News. October 1981.

Visual Arts Employment

  • Ceramics Instructor. East Bay French American school. 2004-2007.
  • Instructor of Visual Arts and Language Arts Program. East Bay Public Schools. 1999-2005.
  • Artist in Residence Richmond Art Center, Richmond after-school program. 2002-2003
  • Instructor. Sacramento City College. Courses taught: Introduction to Art, Sculpture A, Sculpture B. 1989-1997.
  • Alice Aycock Mentor Program. One of two artists selected to facilitate fabrication and installation of a $300,000 Aycock piece in the Sacramento Convention Center. 1995-96.
  • Instructor. Sierra College. Courses taught: Gallery Management, Sculpture A, Sculpture B, Introduction to Art. 1986-89 & 1991
  • Visual Arts Consultant. City Life, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. 1987.
  • Substitute Teacher. Developmental Disabilities Service Organization (Short Center). Courses taught: Ceramics, Painting, & Crafts. 1986.

Art Boards and Commissions

  • Member. Visual Arts Committee of Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.1993-1996.
  • Member. Outdoor Art Committee, California State University, Sacramento. 1993-95.
  • Member. Art in Public Places Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. 1987-89.
  • Co-Founder and Past President of Matrix, a Workshop of Women Artists (nonprofit gallery). 1978.

Education

  • Mills College. Bachelor of Arts, Art History. Oakland, CA.
  • California State University. Master of Arts. Sacramento, CA.