WELCOME

WHO AM I ?

"My name is Molly Gray and I make because I must. Creating in any capacity gives me life and happiness. If I am not making, a dark hole begins to swell within me and my light grows dim. With so much sadness and tragedy in the world, I seek to create pieces of art that allow people to connect to the lighter side of things, that spark joy. "
-Molly Gray

BIO:

Molly Gray is a neurodivergent, multigenerational Canadian artist based in the Fraser Valley, B.C. Canada, on the unceded territory of Kwantlen First Nation. She specializes in community engaged arts with such mediums as printmaking, painting, graphic illustration, and textiles.

Molly’s practice is driven by a deep desire to create with her hands, and connect with community through accessible, interactive programming and public art, which gives her a sense of purpose and joy. She creates through the lens of childish wonder without expectation or judgement, allowing the act of creating to become a practice of mindfulness. This also translates to her facilitation style, which is rooted in encouragement.

Her work often features Northwest Coast Canadian landscapes as well as local flora and fauna, and ranges from fluid impressionism to illustrative realism. Gray showcases her work online and has displayed in galleries in British Columbia.

Over the last three years, Gray has been focused on a large mixed media series, titled “Avifauna”, which features birds of B.C depicted to-scale. This body of work invites viewers question their use of space, and appreciate how we interact with nature. In 2023 she participated in a 4-month welding course at the University of the Fraser Valley called “Women of Steel”, which sparked a burning desire to enter the public art sector to create large-scale metal sculptures that resonate with local communities.

Most recently, Molly completed a six-month residency with the City of Abbotsford, BC from May to October of 2024. During the program, she implemented a series of engagements focused on fostering a sense of place, inclusivity, and connection while being accessible to the diverse residents of Abbotsford. These engagements, open to all ages and abilities, introduced participants to new media and techniques, as well as a chance to work with artists in the community.

CURRICULUM VITAE

MOLLY GRAY

EDUCATION
2023 University of the Fraser Valley, BC, Women of Steel Welding Program
2010 - 2011 B.C. Institute of Technology, BC, Certificate in Media Design and Web Development with Distinction
2005 - 2009 Bishop’s University, QC, Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Studio Art

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Avifauna, The Outlet Gallery, Port Coquitlam, BC

2024 Avifauna, Place des Arts, Coquitlam, BC
2022 BC Avifauna, T.C.C. Walkway Gallery, Langley Arts Council, Langley, BC
2018 Medium Impact, The Rock Family Gallery - Mission Arts Council, Mission, BC

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024 56 Artists to Celebrate 56 Years, Langley Arts Council, Langley, BC

2024 Positively Petite, Place des Arts, Coquitlam, BC

2024 The Big Tiny, Kariton Art Gallery, Abbotsford Arts Council, Abbotsford, BC

2023 Avifauna: Sight and Perception, Anvil Centre – Arts New West, New Westminster, BC
2022 Territory: Obtrusion, The Hearth - Arts on Bowen – Bowen Island, BC
2021 Printmakers Mark, CityScape Community ArtSpace – North Van Arts, North Van, BC
2020 In the Kitchen, Peggy Staber Memorial Show - Mission Arts Council, Mission, BC
2019 Boobies & Wieners Seven, Arts Factory Society, Vancouver, BC
2019 A Sticky Show, Arts Factory Society, Vancouver, BC
2019 Boobies & Wieners Six, Arts Factory Society, Vancouver, BC
2018 2018 Members Exhibition, Turnbull Gallery, Semiahmoo, White Rock, BC
2018 H2O, Peggy Staber Memorial Show - Mission Arts Council, Mission, BC
2017 This is Us, Now, Pop-Up-Town-Gallery – Semiahmoo Arts Council, White Rock, BC
2017 Trees, Peggy Staber Memorial Show - Mission Arts Council, Mission, BC
2016 Portraits, Peggy Staber Memorial Show - Mission Arts Council, Mission, BC
2008 Ricochet, Foreman Art Gallery - Sherbrooke, Quebec

AWARDS
2023 Exemplary Effort. University of the Fraser Valley, Women of Steel Program
2017 Honourable Mention, Adult Category, Annual Peggy Staber Memorial Exhibition
2016 Honourable Mention, Adult Category, Annual Peggy Staber Memorial Exhibition
2011 JoyTV Award in New Media Design & Web Development. BCIT

MENTORSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2019    BC Culture Days Art Ambassador
2019    Lithography Mentorship with artist Jocelyn Barrable Segal at Malasapina Printmakers, Vancouver, BC.    Awarded through BC Culture Days Ambassador program in partnership with C-SARN
2017    Screenprinting Workshop Level 1 – Blim, Vancouver, BC