The artist
As an artist, my focus has been on crafting a distinctive body of work through woven bead mosaics across various canvases, panels, and objects. Inspired by environmentalism and upcycling, my artistic journey began with creating vibrant "bottle tree fruits" in the 1990s, adorning single-serving juice bottles. Today, I scour thrift stores, flea markets, and eBay for large-scale items, transforming them into extraordinary bead mosaic artworks.
My affinity for glass stems from its diverse colors, lusters, translucencies, and other optical effects. Recently, I've ventured into installations and a series of woven beads and scrap stained glass on convex mirrors, exploring new dimensions in my chosen medium.
With a background from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I bring over 25 years of experience as an artist, gallerist, and museum administrator. More recently, I contributed to the arts community as a member of many art guilds and as an administrator/curator at the Addison Center for the Arts, fostering creativity in the western suburbs.
My work is driven by a passion for environmental sustainability and repurposing materials into my work. I aim to create pieces that not only captivate through innovative design but also provoke contemplation on our environmental impact. Through my luminous mosaics, I seek to initiate conversations about sustainable art, demonstrating that post-consumer materials can be transformed into objects of beauty. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to art and consumption.
Feel free to contact Julie Mars by email to discuss her work.
My affinity for glass stems from its diverse colors, lusters, translucencies, and other optical effects. Recently, I've ventured into installations and a series of woven beads and scrap stained glass on convex mirrors, exploring new dimensions in my chosen medium.
With a background from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I bring over 25 years of experience as an artist, gallerist, and museum administrator. More recently, I contributed to the arts community as a member of many art guilds and as an administrator/curator at the Addison Center for the Arts, fostering creativity in the western suburbs.
My work is driven by a passion for environmental sustainability and repurposing materials into my work. I aim to create pieces that not only captivate through innovative design but also provoke contemplation on our environmental impact. Through my luminous mosaics, I seek to initiate conversations about sustainable art, demonstrating that post-consumer materials can be transformed into objects of beauty. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to art and consumption.
Feel free to contact Julie Mars by email to discuss her work.
JULIE MARS
Roselle, IL 60172
jamarsart(at)gmail
SUMMARY
Creator, promoter, and entrepreneur in the Arts for over 30 years.
PROFICIENCIES
PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ
July 2018-May 2024 Addison Center for the Arts Director of Communications
The principal non-profit administrator and communications officer for a community art center that produces art exhibitions and performing arts programs. Responsibilities include fundraising, grant writing, exhibition production, event planning, and administration. Supervised volunteers. Responsible for all communications, graphics, website maintenance, social media management, and promotional campaigns.
July 2016-current JAM Fine Arts Owner/Art Consultant
Fine art consulting firm with referrals from Toms-Price, independent designers, and private clients. The service specializes in bringing original art to the client's home or place of business for enhanced customer service and elimination of guesswork. Provided clients with custom artworks sourced from artists around the world.
Jan. 2008-July 2016 ArtFinders, Inc. Co-owner/Art Consultant
Fine art corporation with referrals from the interior design teams of Walter E. Smithe, Toms-Price, independent designers, and private clients. The service specialized in bringing original art to the client's home or place of business for enhanced customer service and elimination of guesswork.
April 2013-April 2014 Walter E. Smithe Fine Furnishing Sales
Gained a deeper insight into a partner business by joining their sales team. Expanded my knowledge of the fine furnishing industry and its techniques.
Sept. 2004-March 2007 Macy's Fine Art Gallery Gallery Director
Retail fine art gallery manager. Supervised art consultants. Sourced and sold fine art. Worked closely with the interior design team and clients.
Sept. 2000-June 2003 The Chicago Athenaeum Program Director
Wore many hats. Performed the bulk of this architecture and design museum's public relations. Managed interns. Chief administrator of the American Architecture Awards and Good Design competitions. Performed development projects. Curated and organized a series of exhibits featuring local artists.
Aug. 1997-Feb. 2000 Marshall Fields Fine Art Gallery Gallery Director
Retail fine art gallery manager. Supervised a staff of art consultants. Sourced and sold fine art. Worked closely with the Marshall Fields interior design team at State Street. We achieved record art sales in 1999 and 2000.
EDUCATION
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Bachelor of Fine Arts May 1991
ARTIST RÉSUMÉ
COMMISSIONS/COLLECTIONS
2024 - Arts in Architecture program semifinalist for a community college commission.
2024 - Lincoln Land Community College.
2024 - Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA - commission for a specialty suite.
2023 - Arts in Architecture program semifinalist for a major agency commission.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
GALLERY/DEALER AFFILIATIONS
WORKSHOPS/TALKS
Sept. 14, 2022 Bloomingdale Artists’ Guild Guest Instructor
“Mix Up Your Media with Beads” workshop.
May 1, 2022 Midwest Collage Society Guest Instructor
“Mix Up Your Media with Beads” workshop.
Sept. 11, 2021 Addison Center for the Arts Smartphone Photos
Led a smartphone art photography workshop for members of The Addison Art Guild.
April 18, 2021 NIU Art Museum-DeKalb, IL Virtual Artist Talk
Virtual Featured Artist talk for “Very Well, Thank You” group exhibition.
May 5, 2019 Schweikher House-Schaumburg, IL Art History Talk
“Marty's Landscapes of the Mind.” An art history talk on the art career of Martyl Langsdorf, a local artist and previous resident of the Schweiker House. In addition to being an important 20th-century artist, she was also well-known for designing the famous Doomsday Clock graphic.
ASSOCIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Chicago Sculpture International (Member), Addison Center for the Arts (Member), Naperville Art League (Member), Addison Artists’ Guild (Vice President), CAVA (Member), Planetary Society (Member), Elmhurst Art Museum (Member), Elmhurst Artists’ Guild (Member/Board), Fine Line Art Center(Member), Water Street Studio (Member), Illinois Science Council (Auxiliary Board), Arts in Bartlett (Member/Studio Artist).
Roselle, IL 60172
jamarsart(at)gmail
SUMMARY
Creator, promoter, and entrepreneur in the Arts for over 30 years.
PROFICIENCIES
- Museum/Art Non-profit Administration
- Art Consultation/Curation
- Performing Arts Event Production and Promotion
- Grant Writing
- Professional Artist
- Social Media - Curator of @ArtDropsDaily on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.
PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ
July 2018-May 2024 Addison Center for the Arts Director of Communications
The principal non-profit administrator and communications officer for a community art center that produces art exhibitions and performing arts programs. Responsibilities include fundraising, grant writing, exhibition production, event planning, and administration. Supervised volunteers. Responsible for all communications, graphics, website maintenance, social media management, and promotional campaigns.
July 2016-current JAM Fine Arts Owner/Art Consultant
Fine art consulting firm with referrals from Toms-Price, independent designers, and private clients. The service specializes in bringing original art to the client's home or place of business for enhanced customer service and elimination of guesswork. Provided clients with custom artworks sourced from artists around the world.
Jan. 2008-July 2016 ArtFinders, Inc. Co-owner/Art Consultant
Fine art corporation with referrals from the interior design teams of Walter E. Smithe, Toms-Price, independent designers, and private clients. The service specialized in bringing original art to the client's home or place of business for enhanced customer service and elimination of guesswork.
April 2013-April 2014 Walter E. Smithe Fine Furnishing Sales
Gained a deeper insight into a partner business by joining their sales team. Expanded my knowledge of the fine furnishing industry and its techniques.
Sept. 2004-March 2007 Macy's Fine Art Gallery Gallery Director
Retail fine art gallery manager. Supervised art consultants. Sourced and sold fine art. Worked closely with the interior design team and clients.
Sept. 2000-June 2003 The Chicago Athenaeum Program Director
Wore many hats. Performed the bulk of this architecture and design museum's public relations. Managed interns. Chief administrator of the American Architecture Awards and Good Design competitions. Performed development projects. Curated and organized a series of exhibits featuring local artists.
Aug. 1997-Feb. 2000 Marshall Fields Fine Art Gallery Gallery Director
Retail fine art gallery manager. Supervised a staff of art consultants. Sourced and sold fine art. Worked closely with the Marshall Fields interior design team at State Street. We achieved record art sales in 1999 and 2000.
EDUCATION
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Bachelor of Fine Arts May 1991
ARTIST RÉSUMÉ
COMMISSIONS/COLLECTIONS
2024 - Arts in Architecture program semifinalist for a community college commission.
2024 - Lincoln Land Community College.
2024 - Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA - commission for a specialty suite.
2023 - Arts in Architecture program semifinalist for a major agency commission.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
- November 2025 - Oasis, Prairie Center for the Arts. Solo exhibition.
- November 2025 - CAVA Members' Winter Show, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL.
- August 4 - September 20, 2025 - The Natural World.
- June 29 - August 17, 2025 - Honoring Hokusai, Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery. Group Exhibition.
- June 5 - July 17, 2025 - Arts DuPage presents Artistic Alchemy, Schoenherr Gallery, North Central College, Naperville, IL.
- May - July 6, 2025 - Kaleidoscope of Color, St. Charles Arts Council Gallery.
- March 29 -April 27, 2025 - Wall Flowers, Blue Moon Gallery, Grayslake, IL.
- May 17, 2024 -July 5, 2024 - Bridgeport Art Center's 12th Annual Art Competition, Bridgeport Arts Center. Group Exhibition.
- April 13 - May 31, 2024 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild's Spring Member Show, Elmhurst Art Museum. Group Exhibition.
- April 3 - April 13, 2024 - Addison Art Guild's Spring 2024 Member Show, Addison Village Hall. Group Exhibition.
- November 17, 2023 - January 13, 2024 - Elemental Impact, Chicago Sculpture International Juried Exhibition at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Exhibited Arctic Ice Sheet. Group Exhibition.
- September 9 - October 20, 2023 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild 2023 Fall Members' Show. Exhibited Thwaites Glacier. Group Exhibition.
- August 26 - October 1, 2023 - Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL - "2023 Evanston & Vicinity Biennial." Group Exhibition.
- June 11 - July 28, 2023 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Gallery, Elmhurst, IL - "Inspired by Warhol". Group Exhibition.
- March 27 - May 5, 2023 - North Central College Oesterle Library, Naperville, IL - Arts DuPage’s Rare Glimpse Exhibit.
- March 1 - April 1, 2023 - TLD Design Center, Beneath the Surface. Group show also featuring Robert Hilger, Lyn Tietz, Joann Murdock, and Mary Dillon. Exhibited Arctic Ice Sheet, Permafrost, and Morteratsch Glacier.
- Jan 14 - Feb 9, 2023 - Norris Cultural Arts Center, Embracing Texture. Displayed Arctic Ice Sheet. Honorable mention award.
- December 2022 - Side Street Studio Arts, "Bits and Pieces" collaborative art exhibit. Created Winter is Coming with Chris Palm and Hallie Sanclemente Morrisson.
- October - December 2022 -Elmhurst Artists' Guild Fall Members' Show. Displayed Outgrowth 4: Biomass.
- Sept 2022 - Oak Park Art League, Art 101: A Regional Juried Exhibition. Sarah Cox, curator from the Elmhurst Art Museum, selected “Permafrost Panopticon”.
- June 17 - July 23, 2022 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Summer Members’ Exhibit, Permafrost Panopticon on exhibit.
- May 12 - June 24, 2022 - Kavanagh Gallery, Sculpture at the Kavanagh. Blackfoot Panopticon on exhibit.
- April 22 - June 4, 2022 - Beverly Art Center, CAVA Spring Exhibit. "Enchanted Spring" on exhibit.
- April 6 - April 29, 2022 - Addison Center for the Arts, Addison Art Guild Spring Members' Show 2022. Awarded “Best in Show.”
- Feb. 19 - March 15, 2022 - Addison Center for the Arts, Expressions: Art & Verse. Organizer & exhibiting artist.
- October - December 2021 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Fall Members’ Show.
- November - December 2021, Addison Center for the Arts, Addison Art Guild Fall Members' Show. Awarded Best in Show.
- September 30, 2021 - October 31, 2021, Gallery Seven, Illiart, 2021. Awarded 2nd place.
- July 29 - August 21, 2021 - Union Street Gallery Invitational.
- August 2021 - Side Street Studio Arts, Off the Wall exhibition.
- June - August, 2021 - ARC Gallery, Our Planet: Our Selves, Juror: Jane Stevens.
- March 26 - May 15, 2021 - Northern Illinois University Museum, Very Well, Thank You. Virtual Artist Talk, "A Look on the Bright Side: The Sunny Side of Art"- Sunday April 18, 2021.
- March 26 - May 8, 2021 - Kavanagh Gallery at Fine Line Arts Center, Sculpture at the Kavanagh.
- January 2020 - Norris Cultural Arts Center, Visual Harmony Juried Group Exhibition.
- September 2019 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Winter Members Show - "Solar Panels" awarded 3rd place.
- September 2019 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Fall Member Show - "Graf" awarded an Honorable Mention by judge, Sergio Gomez.
- September 2019 - Side Street Studio Arts, Elgin Fringe Festival.
- July - August 2019 - Julie Mars at the Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg, IL - Solo show.
- July 2019 Oddball Art Labs - Saturday Morning Cartoons.
- June 2019 - Elmhurst Artists' Guild Summer Member Show.
- 1/12/19-2/17/19 - Norris Cultural Art Center, Up Close and Personal.
- 12/2/18-1/4/19 - Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Winter Members Show. Awarded Honorable Mention for "Hapless Missionaries Arrive at the Ravenous ExoMoon".
- 10/4/2018-10/27/2018 - Union Street Studios, Cabinet of Curiosities.
- 7/2018-8/2018 - Fine Line Art Center, In and Around. Awarded First Place in Vessels for "Bijou".
- 7/13/2018-7/21/2018 - Oddball Art Labs @Elgin Artspace, Strange Imaginations and Perplexing Wonders.
- 9/14/2018-10/7/2018 - Water Street Studios, 9th Anniversary Exhibition.
- 3/2018-4/2018 - Addison Center for the Arts, Creative Insights. Awarded Second Place
GALLERY/DEALER AFFILIATIONS
- 2015-present, SaatchiArt.com.
- 1/2019-9/2019 Peace of Art Gallery, Bloomingdale, IL.
- 2014-2018, JAM Fine Arts, Bloomingdale, IL
- 2006-2014, Art Finders, Inc., Bloomingdale, IL
- 2003-2006, Art Holdings Corporation, Wayzata, MN.
WORKSHOPS/TALKS
Sept. 14, 2022 Bloomingdale Artists’ Guild Guest Instructor
“Mix Up Your Media with Beads” workshop.
May 1, 2022 Midwest Collage Society Guest Instructor
“Mix Up Your Media with Beads” workshop.
Sept. 11, 2021 Addison Center for the Arts Smartphone Photos
Led a smartphone art photography workshop for members of The Addison Art Guild.
April 18, 2021 NIU Art Museum-DeKalb, IL Virtual Artist Talk
Virtual Featured Artist talk for “Very Well, Thank You” group exhibition.
May 5, 2019 Schweikher House-Schaumburg, IL Art History Talk
“Marty's Landscapes of the Mind.” An art history talk on the art career of Martyl Langsdorf, a local artist and previous resident of the Schweiker House. In addition to being an important 20th-century artist, she was also well-known for designing the famous Doomsday Clock graphic.
ASSOCIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Chicago Sculpture International (Member), Addison Center for the Arts (Member), Naperville Art League (Member), Addison Artists’ Guild (Vice President), CAVA (Member), Planetary Society (Member), Elmhurst Art Museum (Member), Elmhurst Artists’ Guild (Member/Board), Fine Line Art Center(Member), Water Street Studio (Member), Illinois Science Council (Auxiliary Board), Arts in Bartlett (Member/Studio Artist).