Mary Dondero is an accomplished artist whose work explores the intersections of imagination, philosophy, and artistic expression. Her pastel drawings have been exhibited nationally and internationally, with collections including Denmark’s Naestved International Print Studio, the Newport Art Museum, and the Zion Human History Museum. A dedicated curator and educator, Dondero has served as Exhibition Curator at the Bristol Art Museum for over a decade and is one of the founding artists of Imago Foundation for the Arts in Warren, RI. She is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Art and Art History at Bridgewater State University. Dondero holds degrees from Roger Williams University, the Rhode Island School of Design, and UMass Dartmouth. Her studio is located in Warren, Rhode Island.
Kelp Meadow 2023
Pastel on sanded paper 37″ x 29″
Artist Statement
All my artwork is an urgent expression of how I experience the world. Through non-objective imagery, my work evokes fleeting moments when the boundaries between the sensual and the intellectual, or the inner self and the outer realm are at their thinnest. These pastel paintings embody my understanding of the collision between the physical and the ephemeral.
Meaning emerges through the act of creating and my ongoing inquiry, grounded in a studio practice that is a phenomenological exploration of lived experience. Each piece reflects this dialogue, capturing moments of understanding and discovery.
Additional Info
Artist Website: marydondero.com
Instagram: @mary_donderoart
Part of Growing the NetWorks
This artist was selected by a past NetWorks Rhode Island participant as part of Growing the NetWorks — a 2025 exhibition presented by WaterFire Providence, at the WaterFire Arts Center, celebrating peer-nominated artists from across Rhode Island. Learn more at waterfire.org/growingthenetworks
Highlighting the work of selected artists who have played vital roles in shaping the contemporary visual arts community in Rhode Island. This collection of brief video portraits provides a window into the lives, practices, and cultural contributions of professional artists.
