Mare Martin holds a BFA in painting and printmaking from the University of
Louisiana. She also studied at the Haystack School of Crafts in Maine on a
scholarship and at the Cardiff College of Art in Wales on a graduate fellowship.
Her professional awards include grants from the National Endowment of the Arts
and the Louisiana Division of the Arts for a mid-career retrospective and an
ARTSpark grant for a thirty-five year retrospective at the Acadiana Center for the
Arts. Martin created the site-specific public artwork “Earth, Water, Fire, Air” for
the glass wall at the former site of the Lafayette Regional Airport.

She is inspired by the forms and dynamics of the plant, animal and mineral realms
and their connection with the Earth, Heavens, Seasons and Elements. Her work is
a celebration and visual translation of individual and archetypal manifestations of
Nature.

She has lived and worked in Louisiana, New Mexico, Wales, Spain, Canada and
Morocco and has exhibited nationally and internationally.
She currently lives and works in Opelousas, LA

Artist Statement

I was born in South Louisiana of Cajun descent and grew up on a small
Farm. My father worked for the Department of Agriculture and my whole family
of seven took part in a full farming and gardening experience.
This environment instilled in me a passionate love of Nature. This passion has
extended its life and expression through Art and both continue to live together.
I feel that a connection with Nature is important for the expansion of the soul,
especially feelings of wonder and appreciation.
Although art is my primary focus, I consider gardening as a necessary activity for
the development of subject matter and idea as well as for the vitality of my own
nature and philosophy.

I expand my art circle by attending gallery openings and other art
related events for my own pleasure and education and to support
fellow artists.

Creativity is always expansive in any venue.
Creative events can expand personal creativity by inspiration.

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

My artistic approach is different in some ways from the genres that are
prevalent in the area. My work offers diversity in new ways of looking
at and experiencing Nature as subject matter along with attention to
environmental concerns. Exhibiting and teaching are my main
contributions.

Our weekly Art Circle series profiles artists throughout the community and is sponsored in part by Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund managed by Lafayette Travel