Vitae
Mark Roy Bleshenski
mark@bleshenski.com :: www.bleshenski.com :: facebook.com/mbleshenski
Studio artist working in a variety of mediums including glass, wood and mixed media. Independent study of techniques in glass fusing and casting, flameworking. Current work focuses on re-purposing of discarded bottles into multi-media sculpture.
Artist Statement
Born and raised near Saginaw Bay, Michigan, I was fortunate to have my grandfather as my guiding light into the world of art. Working alongside him in his stained glass studio during my teenage years ignited a lifelong passion for color and form. My academic pursuits furthered my artistic journey, studying Human Environment and Design at Michigan State University, and delving into decorative arts and architecture at the University of London.
In 1981, I took the leap and established my own stained glass studio. Initially defining myself as a glass artist, my artistic evolution has led me to embrace a multitude of mediums and techniques. Today, I resist categorization, finding inspiration in the unconventional and the eclectic.
From mixed media explorations to intricate wood and steel constructions, from conceptual art installations to the manipulation of digital imagery, my work defies boundaries. Each piece is a testament to the diverse influences that have shaped my artistic identity.
By melding traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities, I seek to provoke thought and evoke emotion in my audience. My art is a reflection of my journey—a journey fueled by curiosity, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of creative expression.
Web and Social Media Sites
Awards
- 2023 - 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region Exhibition - Studio 23, Bay City, MI, "Entanglement", Award of Merit
- 2022 - NEA Big Read: Great Lakes Bay Region Grant Recipient based on the book 'The House of Mango Street' by Sandra Cisneros - "The Four Skinny Trees" Installation at The Jefferson Project Sculpture Park in Bay City.
- 2018 - Studio 23 All-State Exhibition - Studio 23, Bay City, Michigan, Artwork: "Penny Jar", Juror's Award for 3D, Juror: Nick Reszetar
- 2016 - East Side Art Show - Anton Art Center, St. Claire Shores, Michigan, Artwork: "Plumbum", Honorable Mention
- 2016 - ArtPrize - Fountain Street Church Venue - "Plumbum", Juror's Special Merit Award
- 2016 - Art Walk Central - Art Reach of Mid-Michigan; Mt Pleasant, Michigan; Helios Art Gallery, Artwork: "Plumbum", Jurors Top 10 List
- 2014 - ArtPrize 6 - Fountain Street Church, "Penny Jar, Rebel, and Tweet don't Chirp" Juror's shortlist for top 5 venues
- 1995 - Modern Liturgy Magazine, Vol 2, No 9, Visual Art Awards honorable mention
Juried Exhibitions
- 2023 - Art Around the City - Studio 23, Bay City, MI, "Glory Daze" (Juried)
- 2023 - 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region Exhibition - Studio 23, Bay City, MI, "Entanglement", Award of Merit
- 2022 - MI All State Exhibition - Studio 23, Bay City, MI, "Time Rip Tide" (Juried)
- 2021 - RBJSE (Regional Biennial Juried Sculpture Exhibition) - Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan, Artwork: "Maize", Juried
- 2020 - Our Changing Climate Exhibition - "Climate Changer" Gallery show converted to an online show because of COVID-19, Huron Valley Council for the Arts (juried)
- 2019 - 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region. "Tentorium Botanica", "Climate Changer" (Juried)
- 2019 - State of the Arts Exhibition, Saginaw Township Art in Public Places, "Vessels 1" (Juried)
- 2019 - Light - Art in the Loft - "Flos Arc Archa 1", "Flos Arc Archa 2", and "Flos Arc Archa 3" (Juried)
- 2018 - Regional Biennial Juried Sculpture Exhibition; Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan, Artwork: "Seaform" (Juried)
- 2017 - Show Me The Money, Huron Valley Arts Council, Highland, Michigan "Penny Jar" (Juried)
- 2016 - Regional Biennial Juried Sculpture Exhibition; Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan, Artwork: "Tweet Don't Chirp" (Juried)
- 2016 - Real American (Juried), Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, "Penny Jar"
- 2016 - Greater Michigan Art Exhibition (Juried), Midland Center for the Arts, "Seaform"
Other Selected Exhibitions
- 2024 - ArtPrize - Wisemen Distillery/Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids, MI "Like Sculpture"
- 2024 - ArtWalk - ArtReach of Mid Michigan, Mt Pleasant, MI, "Like Sculpture"
- 2022 - ArtWalk - CMU University Art Gallery, Mt Pleasant, MI, "Monster Nature"
- 2021 - Mark Bleshenski Solo Show - Grace College, Warsaw, Indiana; Selected works.
- 2021 - Land to Water Exhibition - "Plumbum" (Invitation)
- 2021 - Painters and Potters - Studio 23/The Arts Center; Selected works
- 2019 - Painters and Potters - Studio 23/The Arts Center; Selected works
- 2019 - ArtWalk - Central Michigan University Art Gallery - "Tentorium Botanica" - CMU University Art Gallery.
- 2018 - ArtPrize - "Climate Changer"
- 2018 - An Exploration of Social Media Art Show, Group Show, Cerasus Studio, Grand Rapids, Michigan "Tweet don't Chirp" (Invitation)
- 2017 - PostPrize 2017 (Invitational), Frames Unlimited, Grand Rapids, Michigan "Seaform"
- 2017 - ArtPrize 2017, Keeler Gallery, Fountain Street Church, "Seaform", Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 2017 - Art Walk Central, CMU University Gallery, "Seaform", Mt Pleasant, Michigan "Seaform"
- 2016 - 'Re: Formation' (Invitational), Gallery Project, Ann Arbor Art Center, Artwork: "Plumbum", Reviews: See Publications. (Invitation)
- 2016 - 'Re: Formation' (Invitational), Gallery Project, Toledo, OH, Artwork: "Plumbum", Reviews: See Publications.
- 2016 - ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, Michigan, "Plumbum"
- 2015 - ArtPrize 7, Venue: Fountain Street Church, "Inverse Effect"
- Glass Show, The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario
- The Detroit Artists Market, Detroit Michigan
- 1980's - Michigan Glass Month Show participant for several exhibits
- 1987 - Corning Museum of Glass - SGAA International Competition and Exhibition, Corning New York, "Silicone Chip"
- 1987 - Image/Light and Structure - http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/35238751/image-light-structure-87-show
Selected Bibliography
Other
- MLIVE: 'Presidential portrait' and other politically charged ArtPrize 2018 entries
https://www.mlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/09/d884bc641e4913/presidential-portrait-and-othe.html#incart_sms - Midland Daily News: Studio 23 hosts all-state juried show
https://www.ourmidland.com/lifestyles/article/Studio-23-hosts-all-state-juried-show-13225760.php - The ArtPrize Curmudgeon's 20 must-not-see entries in the top 100 - Mlive, October 1, 2016
http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2016/10/the_artprize_curmudgeons_20_mu.html - 19 Political Entries At Art Prize 2016 - Mlive, September 28, 2016
http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2016/09/artprize_eight_gets_politcal.html - 2015 - MLive Article, 2015 -
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2015/09/two_bay_city_residents_compete.html - 2015 - MLive Article, 2015 -
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/015/09/your_guide_to_artprize_entries.html#9 - 2014 - MLive Article, 2014 -
http://photos.mlive.com/baycitytimes/2014/09/mark_bleshenski.html - 2014 - MLive Article, 2014 -
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/bay-city/index.ssf/2014/09/bay_county_artists_featured_at.html - 1987-Vol 2, No 6 - Glass Art Magazine, Designing dazzling Facet Glass by Kathleen H. Jones (Cover photo and Feature article)
- 1989 - Professional Stained Glass v. 9, no. 8, Aug. 1989, pp. 6-11, "The dalle de verre Work of Mark Bleshenski" by David M. Maylen III (ref: Corning Museum of Glass reference to Stained Glass Quarterly Magazine Article - www.cmog.org)
Selected Professional Experience
- 2023 - Williamsport Artist Residency. Concentrated work in digital media manipulating my photo images.
- 2023 - Subject of Doctoral thesis and inspiration for the topic of the thesis. https://digitalmaine.com/academic/46/
- 2018 - Art show juror, Studio 23
- 2016 - Guest speaker for breakout session at Kaleidoscope: Reflect. Recharge. Reimagine. Conference at Kellogg Center, Michigan State University
- 2016 - Selected as one of a group of artists in various disciplines for a Master's Thesis on The Artistic Creative Process, by a graduate student at Central Michigan University
- 1981-2008 - Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Markroy Studio, Pinconning, Michigan. Designed and built stained glass windows for churches, businesses and homes throughout Michigan using leaded glass, Faceted glass and cast glass. Sizes ranged from small works to hundreds of square feet. Did independent experimentation with fused glass and cast glass autonomous art pieces.
Education
- 1980 to Present - Autodidactic Studies and Experimentation with glass, wood, metal and mixed media as an art medium.
- 1983 - Glass casting classes at Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan
- 1979 - Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, BA, Human Environment and Design.
- 1978 - University of London, London, England, Decorative Arts and Architecture Program
- 1973 - 1976 - Apprenticed with Roy Diamond Smith, Diamond Art Glass Studio, Pinconning, Assisting with production of stained glass windows.