About/CV

Cynthia Motian McGuirl (b. 1963) is a Maine painter, printmaker, and multi-media artist. She has been creating art in Maine over the last 40 years. A series of intense dreams about her ancestors lead McGuirl to seek a narrative mode of expression. Much of her work is inspired by her Armenian family and their experience during the Armenian Genocide. McGuirl's paintings, often figurative, use color and form to convey a strong atmosphere and intensity of emotion.

Education
Kansas City Art Institute 1981-1982
Swain School of Design 1980-1981

Selected Solo Exhibitions and Residencies
2022 Looking Out, Gibbs Library, Washington, ME
2021 Old Maid, Hedgerow Gallery, Tenants Harbor, ME
2017 Lies, Truth, and Mysteries, NoRo Gallery, Rockland, ME
2017 Visiting Artist: Print Studio at the University of Maine at Orono
2016 Handmade Art Books, Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston, ME
2016 Book Arts Slide Lecture, University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
2008 Lineage: Portraits & Dreams, Gibbs Library, Washington, ME

Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 Unspoken Word, Blue Hill Library, Blue Hill, ME
2022 Word, Winings Gallery, Blue Hill, ME
2020 Structure and Narrative, Camden Public Library, Camden, ME
2019 Anthology: Books and Art, Merryspring Arts Center, Bowdoinham, ME
2018 When Will We Ever Learn, Yvette Torres Gallery, Rockland, ME
2018 Book Arts: Maine Artists, Camden Public Library, Camden, ME
2018 People on the Move: A Human Crisis, Jonathan Frost Gallery, Rockland, ME
2015 Handmade Artist’s Books: One of a Kind, Maine Fiberarts, Topsham, ME
2015 Centennial Armenian Genocide Exhibit & Slideshow, Gallery Z, Providence, RI
2015 Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary Slide Show, Camden Public Library, Camden ME
2015 Nor Ashkhar, Holocaust & Human Rights Center, University of Maine at Augusta
2014 Three Worlds, Wallwork Gallery, Rockport, ME
2013 Paste & Pages, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell, ME
2013 Prints: Breaking Boundaries, Lewis Gallery. Portland, ME
2012 Art to Wear...Or Not, Pearson Legacy Gallery, Deer Isle, ME
2012 Pressing On, Landings Gallery Rockland, ME
2010 The Drawing Group, DuBack & Co., Mars Hall Gallery, Port Clyde, ME
2010 The Armenian Genocide, URI Feinstein Gallery, Providence, RI
2009 Midcoast Printmakers Exhibit, Round Top Gallery, Damariscotta, ME
2007 Armenia: A Remembrance, Elan Fine Arts Rockport, ME
2006 Maine Printmakers 1980-2005, CMCA, Rockport, ME
2006 Maine Printmakers, Elan Fine Arts, Rockport, ME
2005 Private Collection, Gallery Z, Providence, RI
2004/03 Artwear In Motion, Textile Center of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2004 Contemporary Maine Fiber Art, CMCA, Rockport, ME
2000 The Art of Craft, Elements Gallery, Rockland, ME
2000 Style 2000, Decordova Museum, Lincoln, MA
1997 Studio Work, Between the Muse Gallery, Rockland, ME
1993-97 Associates’ Show, Gallery X, New Bedford, MA
1995 Makers ‘95, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, ME