Barbara Joann Combs
About
Barbara Joann Combs, artist, art educator, community arts collaborator born in Los Angeles, California, has worked within the discipline of visual arts since childhood. Barbara holds a B.A. with distinction in visual arts from Fayetteville State University, has written and taught curriculum for art fundamentals courses at Seventy-First High School, North Carolina for seven years. Awarded a MA and MFA in Community Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art.
Barbara has worked within five Baltimore communities facilitating four quilt projects and two summer youth programs creating murals. A community mural was a collaboration with the Johnson Square neighborhood at Ambrose Kennedy Park and pool. During the pandemic a virtual community workshop was developed with Greenbelt Recreation Arts for African American History Month.
Barbara’s recent exhibits include “Hand Made”, Black Rock Gallery, Maryland, "Occupy the Moment: Embracing Our History, Enhancing Our Impact", Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL. Within the Greenbelt community at the City Council Chambers, Greenbelt News Review, and New Deal Cafe. Past exhibits include Lowe House, Montpelier Arts Center, Serendipity Labs, Gallery Miriam, and Pyramid Atlantic.
Ms. Combs currently teaches art education in Prince George's County at Gaywood Elementary. She paints murals on the walls and doors of the school with Pre-K through 5th grade students. In addition, Combs partners with high schools to facilitate mural painting within Gaywood to fulfill students’ Service Learning hours. You can visit Barbara in her studio in Greenbelt.
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Barbara Joann Combs
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Barbara Joann Combs
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3 questions on inspiration with
Barbara Joann Combs
We're asking artists to choose one notable person, place and object that has inspired them in their journey so far. We're mapping inspiration at a scale never attempted before
Person
Dance is passionate, physical movement and Misty Copeland embodies that to me. Misty and other dancers are continued inspiration for an ongoing series of artwork being created as monotypes with black printmaking ink.
Place
Jazz would scoop me up at night and put me to bed. My Daddy had an extensive collection of jazz he was always listening to and I enjoyed hearing as I went to sleep at night. I have fond memories of my Daddy and Mother dancing to jazz; my Mother singing along with Nancy Wilson; and Daddy talking to his best friend as they listened to jazz.
Object
I love wood with its textures and patterns so I collect wood puzzles and board games. My latest work, Topography, was produced from Lennox 100, off white, 250 gsm (about 140 lb) neutral pH, acid free paper printed with a 5 foot x 18 inches piece of Luan wood carved out with a Dremel tool. I didn't take away from the natural design but kept the beautiful flow of lines.
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