About Jennifer Toth
My childhood, like many artists, still influences my work. For example, my mother is a published memoir writer who taught me to appreciate my own experience and trust my own voice. I think in part because of this I have consistently worked from observation. Kind of like fantastical memoirs, my paintings often include self-portraits or themes from my own life. I paint with imagination but not from my imagination; my paintings are all done entirely from set-ups and models or drawings from life. But I often put elements together not seen in the real world such as animal-woman hybrids.
Although primarily a painter, in 2019 my work began to include sculpture when I had a solo show of assemblages/dioramas created out of my prolific boys’ drawings (4- and 6-year-olds at the time), and a set of paintings done from observing these dioramas. I have learned so much from their art, seeing them unhindered by conventions or judgments. There is an unbridled joy in young kids’ art. Unlike them, I get stuck when trying to draw completely out of my head. Using their fearless non-sensical drawings I could create directly perceptual work from imagination-based images.
I continued to think about creating my own subjects to observe for paintings. My most recent body of work was inspired by a cranky parrot named El Chapo who lived in a restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I created a paper mâché sculpture of him to take home, intending to begin a paper mâché zoo from which to paint. My second animal was a rhino and then a self-portrait (since I am an animal of sorts too).
Stranded (happily) in San Diego during the pandemic, I discovered a wonderful parrot sanctuary where I started to work on-site creating drawings and high-relief sculptures of many of the birds. My intention was to paint from these reliefs, but I began to paint the reliefs themselves and found these three-dimensional paintings were impactful and individually strong.
My solo show at Blue Mountain Gallery, April 25-May 20, 2023, featured these reliefs and reflected on ways I feel connected to these individuals. These birds never should have been bred as pets or held in captivity, and the work visually touches on feelings of captivity, longing, and confinement. I realize the human contradictions of loving and admiring animals, while keeping them in cages for entertainment, education, or companionship.
My greatest challenge with my work is having so many competing interests and demands on my time: my children, my full-time teaching job, animals, travel. I try to incorporate as many of my passions and interests into my art as a way of finding connections. So, I love drawing from animals, or using my children’s artwork, or painting in the places I travel. I am deeply indebted to my professors at Smith College, Chautauqua Art Institute, New York Studio School, and Yale School of Art for showing me the depth and wisdom in the practice of making art.
EDUCATION_________________________________________________________________________________
Yale School of Art: New Haven, CT
M.F.A. Painting 1998
Winsor Newton Oil Bar Limited Prize in Painting
The New York Studio School: New York, NY
Painting 1995-97
Full-year merit scholarship awarded 1996-97
Smith College: Northampton, MA
B.A. 1994
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Beta Kappa
Martha Keilig Prize in Painting
Smith Alumnae Scholarship
RESIDENCIES________________________________________________________________________________
Vermont Studio Center: Johnson, VT
Summer 1995
Chautauqua Art Institute: Chautauqua, NY
Summer 1993 and 1994
EMPLOYMENT________________________________________________________________________________
Wagner College: Staten Island, NY
Associate Professor, 2008-present
Wagner College: Staten Island, NY
Assistant Professor, fall 2001-2008
Wagner College: Staten Island, NY
Visiting Assistant Professor, fall 2000-spring 2001
Smartworks, Inc.: New York, NY
Working Artist-in-Residence, summer 2006
State University of New York: Potsdam, NY
Visiting Assistant Professor, fall 1999 – spring 2000
Taught: Painting I, Painting II-!V, Drawing I
State University of New York Continuing Education: Potsdam, NY
Life Drawing Instructor, spring 2000
Smith College: Northampton, MA
Drawing Instructor, spring 1999
Learning Through Expanded Arts Program: New York, NY
Artist-In-Residence, teacher in NYC public schools, January-June 1999
Yale University: New Haven, CT
Teaching Assistant, Senior Projects Seminar, 1998
Visiting Artists Committee, 1994-95
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS_________________________________________________________________________
2023
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
The Long View: Creativity Over Time, January 21-February 25
2022
Tabla Rasa Gallery: Brooklyn NY
The Real Deal: October 14-April 25, 2023
Lichtundfire: New York, NY
Flora and Fawna: Season of Growth and Beasts July 27-August 26
Manhattanville College Gallery: Purchase, NY
Out of the Studio-Blue Mountain Gallery Artists February 9-March 29
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
From the Studio: Blue Mountain Gallery Artists January 4-29
2021
Tabla Rasa Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
Wide Open Studios October 16& 17
New York Studio School Alumni Show: online
https://nyss.org/exhibition/virtual-2021-alumni-exhibition/ virtual show through August 2, 2021
2020
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Part II: Works by Blue Mountain Artists During the Pandemic June 15-October 30
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Members show: January 2-25
2019
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Solo show
Knights and Rainbows: Metaphors for Motherhood, March 26-April 20
2018
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
New Coalition Benefit Show December 2018
2017
Westbeth Gallery: New York, NY
Thinking Big November 2-25
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Summer Show–Gallery Artists, August 1-19
2016
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Oranges, No Oranges: Members show, July 12-30
2015
Prince Street Gallery: New York, NY
Prints at Prince III, invitational group show, July 7-25
2014
Salena Gallery: Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
Off Balance, group show, November 3-December 12
Gallery Sensei: New York, NY
LIGO project, December
Art of Science, http://ligoproject.org/
2013
The George Gallery: Laguna Beach, CA
Nature Doesn’t Knock, group show, September 1-October 31
GAIA Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
Cats!, group show curated by Jackie Lima, July 6-28
Tabla Rasa Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
Equus, group show, June 19-July 31
2012
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Capture and Release, solo show October 30-November 29
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
Points of View, group show December 1-19
Fairleigh Dickinson University: Teaneck, New Jersey
BMG at Fairleigh Dickinson University: Points of View, group show November 26-December 20
Arthur M. Berger Art Gallery: Purchase, NY
BMG at Manhattanville College Points of View III, group show February 19- March 20
Soho20 Gallery: New York, NY
Slipping the Leash, solo show May 22-June 16
2011
Affordable Art Fair: New York, NY
Represented by Tabla Rasa Gallery, May 4-8
Kentler International Drawing Space: Brooklyn, NY
9th Annual Works on Paper Benefit, April 15-May 13
Wagner College Union Gallery: Staten Island, NY
“Hecho en Mexico: Prints, Collages, and Small Sculptures influenced by the artist’s travels in Mexico” solo show, March 5-April 13
2010
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Evolution of a Gallery,” group show, November 30-December 30
Soho20 Gallery: New York, NY
“12-11-10 Countdown,” benefit group show, December
Tabla Rasa Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
Holiday show, November-January
2009
SomArts Cultural Center: San Francisco, CA
“Big Deal 15,” group benefit, November 8
Fairleigh Dickinson University: Madison, NJ
“Skulls,” curated by Jackie Lima October 26- December 4
Denise Brobro Gallery: New York, NY
“Gone to the Dogs,” curated by Denise Bibro, Almitra Stanley and Olympia Lambert October 8- November 7
70/30 Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
Temporary art show curated by Olympia Lambert
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Misgivings,” solo show, April 21-May 16
2008
Somarts Cultural Center: San Francisco, CA
“Big Deal 15,” November 8
Kentler International Drawing Center: Brooklyn, NY
Group show/Benefit, May 15
2007
Holland Tunnel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Blast,” January 6-February 11
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“New Beginnings – Gallery Artists,” September 4 – September 29
2006
Zetigeist Gallery: Detroit, MI
“Gender [f]” (an online version of an exhibit I am in) will be installed by Deb King, November 2-December 2
(Inclusion in choreographed piece by Christine Knowblauch-‘Neal, Performing Arts Dept. Washington University
My piece “Selves with Red Umbrella” will be projected during a piece by this artist
Pegge Hopper Gallery: Honolulu, Hawaii
Group show, “Remember-Recuerde,” November 1-24
Barrett Art Center: Poughkeepsie, NY
“New Directions ’06 National Juried Contemporary Art Competition,” Juror: Sara Reisman (Curatorial fellow of New Musuem of Contemporary Art), Oct 21-November 18
The Bowery Gallery: New York, NY
National Juried show, Juror: Lois Dodd, August 1-19
[Paros, Greece location of the] Holland Tunnel Gallery: Paros, Greece
“Oracle,” curated by Paulien Lethen, July 15-August 16
Coney Island Museum: Brooklyn, NY
“9th Annual Mermaid show,” curated by Carrie Skoczek, June 3 –July 16
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“The Blue Hour: Work by Gallery Artists,” May 23 – June 17
Holland Tunnel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Stairmasters” a group show installed in a stairwell, curated by Paulien Lethen, May 21
Kentler International Drawing Center: Brooklyn, NY
Group show/Benefit, May 18
Creative Spirit Art Center: Potsdam, NY
“Animal Selves: The Work of Jennifer Toth,” solo show, March 31-April 30
Westnorth Studio Gallery: Baltimore, MD
“Gender [f],” show curated by Deb King, March 26- April 28
Holland Tunnel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Ménage à trois,” three-person show curated by Paulien Lethen, March 18-April 16
Tabla Rasa Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Animutations,” group show curated by Audrey and Joseph Anastasi, March 11-June 24
World Financial Center Winter Garden: New York, NY
“From the Art of New York” February 22-28
Other artists include Gregory Amenoff, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Robert Rauschenberg, Yoko Ono, Kiki Smith and others
Holland Tunnel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Black and White,” group show, February 18-March 12
2005
Artists Space: New York, NY
“Night of 1000 Drawings,” December 9
Ch’I Contemporary Art Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Artists Aid ‘Orleans,” Benefit for hurricane relief, September 13
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Word and Image: a collaboration,” June 21-July 9
Kentler International Drawing Center: Brooklyn, NY
Group show/Benefit, May 5-19
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Animal Reflections: New Paintings,” solo show, February 1-26
Farleigh Dickinson University Gallery: New Jersey, NY
Solo show, January 17-February 11
2004
Artists Space: New York, NY
“Night of 1000 Drawings,” November 6
Brent Sikkema Gallery: New York, NY
“Postcards from the Edge,” Visual AIDS Benefit November
Gender [f]: http://www.gender-f.com/
Online show highlighting works by various feminist artists. Reviewed at: http://rhizome.org/ and http://www.multimediakunst.net/html_de/index.htm
Viridian Artists: New York, NY
“YW (Why Dubya, Why War?),” September 7-25
Show mentioned in The Village Voice, “YW (Why war? Why Dubya?),” by Kim Levin,”Voice Choices,” (Vol. XLIX No. 38, Sept 22-28, p. 88-89) New York, NY
Williamsburg Art and Historical Center: Brooklyn, NY
“The Mermaid show,” curated by Carrie Skoczek, June 7-29
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Improvisations on a Square,” May 13-June 12
Brooklyn College Art Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“PMS,” curated by Maria Rand, March 10-April 8
Holland Tunnel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Tunnel of Love,” February 14-Mar 14
2003
RARE Gallery: New York, NY
“Gifted,” curated by Lilah Freedland (collaborative work with Orly Cogan), Nov 13-Jan 17
Artists Space: New York, NY
“Night of 1000 Drawings,” Nov 8
Paul Rodgers/9W: New York, NY
“Pandora’s Wink,” three-person show, Sep 9-Oct 11
Superfine: Brooklyn, NY
“Love, Hope, Sex & Dreams,” Sep 3-21
Blue Mountain Gallery: New York, NY
“Works on Paper,” July 29-Aug 16
The Organization of Independent Artists: New York, NY
“Pinned to The Wall,” July 16-Aug 1
Williamsburg Art and Historical Center: Brooklyn, NY
“The Mermaid Show,” June 7-29
Diesel Gallery: Brooklyn, NY
“Dimension,” May 9-June 15
2000-2002
Wagner College Art Gallery: Staten Island, NY
“Woman Transformed,” solo show, Nov 21-Jan 17
55 Mercer Gallery: New York, NY
“Figurative Painting Now”
Other artists included: Leland Bell, Paul Georges, Paul Resika, and Louisa Mathiasdottir
1996-1999
Wilson Center Gallery: Washington DC
Juried Group show, Juror: Eliza Rathbone (curator at The Phillips Collection), June 1999
Yale University Gallery: New Haven, CT
Thesis show, March 1998
Smith College: Northampton, MA
Solo show, Hillyer Art Building, February 1998
The New York Studio School Art Gallery: New York, NY
Scholarship show, April 1997; group show, February 1997
The Bowery Gallery: New York, NY
Group show, juror Gabriel Latterman, spring 1996
COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS______________________________________________________________________
Third Street Music Settlement: New York, NY
Worked with four and five-year olds to create super hero sculptures over the course of several weeks, spring 2018
Third Street Music Settlement: New York, NY
Created a felt mural with the three and four year olds celebrating the community garden, spring 2017
Wagner College: Union building, Staten Island, NY
Arranged and oversaw a project led by stained glass artist Patti Kelly for students to create two stained glass abstract windows installed in the Union, 2017.
LIGO Art of Science Project: New York, NY
Created works of art—drawings, collages, felt paintings, oil painting– inspired by my experiences working in Ross Cagan’s cancer research lab at Mt. Sinai. Immersive experience. Gallery show of finished works, 2014
Wagner College: Main Hall, Staten Island, NY
Overseeing and contributing to mural at stairwell highlighting Art History and trompe l’oeil, with art majors, 2011
South Beach Adolescent Psychiatric Center: Staten Island, NY
Overseeing and contributing to individual murals in the rooms of residents. My students worked one-on-one with each resident to design a mural with the subject of their choosing, 2011
Lifestyles for the Disabled: Staten Island, NY
Overseeing work between art majors and residents of the Lifestyles community to create a felt mural. http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2010/04/at_wagner_college_a_portrait_b.html
Rikers Island: George Motchan Detention Center, Queens, NY
Overseeing a mural celebrating Negro Baseball Leagues created with collaboration between Freshmen students at Wagner College and inmates. Supervised by Deputy Warden Edmund Duffy, 2007 http://www.nydailynews.com/news/rikers-island-inmates-sketch-comics-article-1.275845
Rikers Island: George Motchan Detention Center, Queens, NY
Overseeing several small murals highlighting Civil Rights leaders created with collaboration between Freshmen students at Wagner College and inmates. Supervised by Deputy Warden Edmund Duffy, 2006
Rikers Island: Anna M. Kross Center, Queens, NY
Created a mural with inmates celebrating famous Civil Rights Movement leaders in collaboration with Horizon Academy, Ms. Ortiz, and under the employment of Smartworks, Inc. Under supervision of Deputy Warden Edmund Duffy.
Project Hospitality: Staten Island, NY
Oversaw the design and creation of murals in the halls of this homeless shelter for women and children by my first-year students, 2005
PUBLICATIONS_______________________________________________________________________________
2022
Cover art for The Edinburgh Companion to Vegan Literary Studies
Edited by Laura Wright, Emelia Quinn
2013
Goldner, Liz. “Nature Doesn’t Knock.” ArtScene (review of show), September 2013
2007
Cohen, David ed. Artworld Digest Magazine April 2007
Work selected for reproduction in magazine
Wright, Dr. Laura and Jennifer Toth. “Animals, Art, and the City,” Proteus: A Journal of Ideas. Humans and Animals. April 2007
This is an article I co-authored with my teaching partner Dr. Wright, published by Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
2006
Reproductions in various local newspapers (by Tabla Rasa Gallery) and online reviews (about Holland Tunnel show), mentioned in Paros, Greece local paper
2000
Stackhouse, Christopher. “Figurative Painting Now.” NY Arts International Edition Jan. 2001: 75
Review of show
1999
Skarda, Patricia, ed. Smith Voices Northampton: Smith College Press, 1999
Work reproduced and biography in an anthology of distinguished Smith alumnae that includes pieces by such women such as Sylvia Plath, Julia Child, Betty Friedan.
SELECTED COLLEGE SERVICE_____________________________________________________________________
FYP coordinator, Fall 2021-present
Gallery Director, Union and Spotlight, Wagner College fall 2019-present
Academic Honesty Committee fall 2014-2018
Supply Manager, spring 2001- present
Monitor, order, and maintain art supplies for department
Academic Advisor, ongoing
Advise undeclared students as well as art majors
F.Y.P. (First Year Program), spring 2001-present
Currently teaching “The Rainbow Connection: Color in Art and Theatre” with Dr. Felicia Ruff. Previously developed and taught “Leashed and Unleashed: Animals in Art and Literature” with Dr. Felicia Ruff. Developed and taught “Animals, Art, and the City” with English Professor Dr. Laura Wright. Previously developed “Perspectives and Perception” in collaboration with Theatre Historian Dr. Felicia Ruff.
Senior Program, spring 2009-
Teaching the Senior RFT
Senior Council Coordinator fall 2005-2009, fall 2011, fall 2012
Faculty head of senior program
T.E.P.U. (Teacher Education Policy Unit) Representative, fall 2003-present
Serve as the liaison between the Art Department and the Education Department, help the Education Department in their recertification process with N.C.A.T.E. and regular meetings
Acting Chair, Art Department, Spring 2010 and 2011
Senior Council Secretary 2009
Art Club Advisor, various and ongoing
Faculty advisor to the club
Residential Arts Project 2009, 2010
Ran workshop in painting for interested students
F.Y.P.R.C., fall 2005-2008
First-Year Program Review Committee
Committee that sets agenda for F.Y.P. meetings, reviews applications for teaching in the F.Y.P., addresses issues of standards
Feminist Caucus, spring 2001-
Tri-chair (along with Drs. Margarita Sanchez and Amy Eshleman))
Working with Tania Rossini and Tom Carroll on Parental Leave Policy
F.Y.P. secretary, fall 2006-2008
Take minutes at meetings
I.L.C. (Intermediate Learning Community), fall 2005, spring 2006
Developed two learning communities, in 2005 linking Psychology and Painting with Dr. Brower, and in 2006 Animals in Art and Animal Behavior with Brian Palestis
Attrition and Retention Committee, fall 2005-2006
Member of provost-appointed committee to strategize about increasing retention
A.C.E. (Academic and Cultural Enrichment Program), fall 2001-2007
Participate in committee meetings, and help to organize speakers and college-wide events. Organized and led tour of Chelsea galleries to interested students and faculty in the spring of 2004. Hosted Julie Heffernan, a NYC painter in spring 2001. Participated in panel “Artists’ Influences” November 2002
First-Year Program Murals at Project Hospitality, South Beach Psychiatric Center and Rikers Island, fall 2004-spring 2011
Overseeing and working outside of class with my students in my F.Y.P. class to paint a series of original murals at Project Hospitality (2004,2005) and Rikers Island (2006) as part of the students’ experiential component (orchestrated all service learning experiences for students). Two murals at George Motchan Detention Center, Rikers Isand, depicted civil rights leaders, another celebrated African-American baseball history.
Honors Program, fall 2003, 2004, and 2005
Developed and taught the first honors art course at Wagner
Leader of a panel discussion of Shape of Things performance, fall 2005
Directed by Dr. Felicia Ruff at Stage One
First-Year Program Retreat Agenda Subcommittee, spring 2004
Reading Standards Committee and Library Resources Committee (part of FYP), fall 2004
Fine Arts Forum, fall 2003-2004
Founder and faculty advisor (an active arts club on campus)
Library Committee, spring 2003-2005
Library Mural, spring 2003 and spring 2005
Organized and led painting by students of two large walls in library inspired by Seurat’s Sunday on La Grade Jatte and Manet’s Boating Party.
“Imagine NY,” spring 2001
Co-chaired/hosted (along with Professors Lori Weintrob and Andy Needle). “Imagine NY” involved the campus as well as the Staten Island community to contribute ideas for a W.T.C. site memorial. I facilitated a workshop open to the public.
W.T.C. Disaster Committee, fall 2001
Helped to organize events to respond to the disaster, as well as designed a poster to advertise these events to the college community
SELECTED COURSES DEVELOPED__________________________________________________________________
- Artist and Identity, Junior and Senior Reflective Tutorial course for majors includes use of fundamental studio skills, developing an advanced body of work, putting on a final gallery show at Union Gallery on campus, expanding critical analysis skills and a group project culminating in public art and/or a community component.
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Beastly Art, an intermediate level course that uses many art disciplines including collage, painting, drawing, and sculpture focusing on working directly from animals. Field trips to the Natural History Museum, the Bronx Zoo, and visits by professional artists and even a performer with the Coney Island Sideshow are included as source material.
- Making and Seeing Art in New York, this course incorporates the experiences of seeing art in New York City with making art inspired or based on these experiences. Students visit or attend a variety of art venues in New York City that may include galleries and museums, art fairs, outdoor installations and street art, lectures and events, and artist studios. Students will have a chance to speak to artists, gallery directors, curators, etc. Work will include many diverse disciplines.
- Leashed and Unleashed: Animals in Art and Literature is a course co-taught with a Theater Historian focusing on animals in contemporary art, contemporary literature and animal rights. Color and Design is required during the same semester, and students create pieces that include the careful use of animal imagery.
