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
August 2026 - Solo Show at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center
May - July, 2026 - Dialogue of Souls Voices in Color, LowellArts Gallery
Feb 1-April 19, 2026 The Art of Awe
Jan 31-March 28, 2026
The creative process is emotional and messy requiring instantaneous problem-solving coupled with lots of handwashing.
Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
August 2026 - Solo Show at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center
May - July, 2026 - Dialogue of Souls Voices in Color, LowellArts Gallery
Feb 1-April 19, 2026 The Art of Awe
Jan 31-March 28, 2026 40th Annual Lowell Arts West Michigan Art Competition
March 20, 2026 - Presentation "Collaboration as Resistance" with Merima Smajlovic at Break It Down/Make It Better
March 14, 2026 - Book launch A Green Glow on the Horizon by Dawn Burns includes illustrations by Mary Jane Pories
Nov/Dec 2025 - Swords into Plowshares Peace Gallery, Detroit MI
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; Grand Valley Artists
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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
2026
Apr 21–Jun 30 - Memoir Writing I, Gotham Writers Workshop with Emily Rapp Black
April 11 - A Rally of Writers attendee
2025
Oct - MFA For All course with Elizabeth McCracken - A Pair of Pants, A Mountain Range: The Physical in Fiction
2024
March - April - Writers residency Prospect Street Writers House, Bennington, VT
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 at Dog Story Theater
2025
Nov - Commercial work for Stanley Steemer
Nov - Life Lessons from Improvisation, Honors
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 at Dog Story Theater
2025
Nov - Commercial work for Stanley Steemer
Nov - Life Lessons from Improvisation, Honors College, GVSU
Oct - Guest speaker at Seidman College of Business
2024
Oct - Taped commercials for American Van Lines for national release
Aug - Performance 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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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.