Olwen O'Herlihy Dowling
www.olwendowling.com
Olwen was born in Dublin Ireland and emigrated with her family to the United States. She grew up in Malibu California and Dublin Ireland. Her primary inspirations in art are Mary Cassatt, Richard Diebenkorn, Turner, Homer, and Joaquin Sorolla. Olwen paints images in oil and watercolor of the West of Ireland, as well as North Chester where she lives in the Berkshire mountains. She is also a printmaker in Intaglio, Drypoint / monotype and is a Member of the Zea Mays Printmaking Studio and The Monotype Guild of New England. Olwen has been a member of the National Association of Women Artists.
Olwen's paintings are in Private Collections in the United States and Europe. In recent years, she has exhibited at The James Joyce Gallery and The Hallward Gallery in Dublin, Ireland; Smith College Alumnae Gallery; Hosmer Gallery Northampton MA; The Watkins Gallery Northampton MA; Olwen’s intaglio artwork is represented by the Zea Mays Flat File Project and her recent print work has been represented in group shows at the APE Gallery in Northampton and The Ferrin Gallery Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Lenox Gallery Massachusetts: Olwen received Honorable Mention in the Fem in Art Show. Olwen has also worked for over two decades in the professional theatre in production and has designed scenery and backcloths for theatrical productions. Olwen has been producer, managing director, production manager and stage manager for professional theatrical institutions, as well as director of The Northampton Center for the Arts. She graduated as a Studio Art Major with a minor in Biology from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Olwen has also studied at the L'Ecoled'Art, Vallauris, France and the Sun Valley Arts Program in Hailey, Idaho. Olwen is currently represented by her own gallery in North Chester Massachusetts and works as an arts consultant. Olwen lived for ten years in Cleveland Ohio where she was Production Manager at The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival and helped move the company to downtown Cleveland to Playhouse Square as well as guiding the first 8 ½ hour USA production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby as it was presented in Chicago.
Olwen is a recent recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Recovery Grant.
Olwen has been privileged to be a returning artist in residence at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre on many occasions and was delighted to be an artist in residence and Fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in autumn 2021. Her prints and paintings are personal and are placed where she has a close relationship, such as the Berkshires and Ireland.