My Work
Visual Art
Performing/Teaching/Speaking
Visual Art
The creative process is emotional and messy requiring instantaneous problem-solving coupled with lots of handwashing.
Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
May - July, 2026 - Dialogue of Souls Voices in Color, LowellArts Gallery
April 10, 2026 - A Durational Performance at Run a Racehorse or She Will Tear Down the Barn
Sept/Oct 2025 - ArtPrize
The creative process is emotional and messy requiring instantaneous problem-solving coupled with lots of handwashing.
Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
May - July, 2026 - Dialogue of Souls Voices in Color, LowellArts Gallery
April 10, 2026 - A Durational Performance at Run a Racehorse or She Will Tear Down the Barn
Sept/Oct 2025 - ArtPrize Collaborative Installation with Merima Smajlovic:
Awarded an Artist Seed Grant
May - June 2025 Resolutions & Resilience group exhibition, Keeler Gallery
March 20 - April 3 Avenue for the Arts 106 Gallery with Merima Smajlovic
March 1 - AllArtWorks Viewing Studio, Opening Reception for Dialogue of Souls with Merima Smajlovic (thru March 5)
Ongoing All Art Works Online Gallery
Subscribe for up to date info on shows and more
Writing
Performing/Teaching/Speaking
Visual Art
Currently, I'm working on a long project that has yet to find a form. To date I've written a novel, 2 nonfiction books (Color Me Happy and Yes, And! Harnessing the Power of Improvisation to Transform Your Life and Work), plays, essays, poetry, and performance pieces.
Ongoing participation in the Michigan Playwrights Project (Part of Michig
Currently, I'm working on a long project that has yet to find a form. To date I've written a novel, 2 nonfiction books (Color Me Happy and Yes, And! Harnessing the Power of Improvisation to Transform Your Life and Work), plays, essays, poetry, and performance pieces.
Ongoing participation in the Michigan Playwrights Project (Part of Michigan Writers) and Kalamazoo Writers Dis-Organization
2025 MFA For All course with Elizabeth McCracken - A Pair of Pants, A Mountain Range: The Physical in Fiction
March - April 2024 Writers residency Prospect Street Writers House, Bennington, VT
2024 Roach Revolt 10-minute play released to New Play Exchange
2023 Mary Jane releases her new book, Color Me Happy: A Memoir in Poetry, Painting, and Prose
Performing/Teaching/Speaking
Performing/Teaching/Speaking
Performing/Teaching/Speaking
Performing allows me to "discover the characters hiding inside and learn from them." Teaching and speaking allows me to pass on what I've learned.
Ongoing Man v Machine - Live monthly story shows where improvisers battle against AI.
Nov 2025 Life Lessons from Improvisation, Honors College, GVSU
Oct 2025 Guest speaker at Seidman College of Bu
Performing allows me to "discover the characters hiding inside and learn from them." Teaching and speaking allows me to pass on what I've learned.
Ongoing Man v Machine - Live monthly story shows where improvisers battle against AI.
Nov 2025 Life Lessons from Improvisation, Honors College, GVSU
Oct 2025 Guest speaker at Seidman College of Business
Oct 2024 Taped commercials for American Van Lines for national release
Aug 29, 2024 @ 8pm - Performing at The Comedy Project
April 2023 - MC for Chili Cook-Off and Grand Ole Opry Fundraiser
Fall 2021 performed Shauna Johannessen's M is for Music with the Lima Symphony Orchestra.
December 2021 performed The Miracle of Chanukah at Jewish Theater Grand Rapids.
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Purchase a painting or note cards for yourself or someone you love.
Prints, tapestry, apparel, and more available online at Fine Art America. If you don't find what you're looking for, please ask.
Blog
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Subscribe to learn more as Mary Jane shares musings and methodology from her years as a multi-disciplinary artist integrating improvisation into her painting, writing, and performance.