Episode 75 - Metra Mitchell

Metra Mitchell received her early training at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY where she earned her Bachelor's of Fine Art in Painting and Minor in Art History on a full art scholarship in 2006. She later was awarded a teaching assistant ship from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO where she pursued her Masters of Fine Arts in Painting and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008.Metra's works have been exhibited in many galleries including: Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, PhD Gallery in St. Louis, MO, St. Louis Artist Guild, Art St. Louis Gallery, Cinema Gallery in Urbana, IL and The Foundry Art Center in St. Charles, MO. Institutions that have exhibited her paintings include University of Alaska- Anchorage, Susquehanna University, Northern Kentucky University, University of South Alabama, Western Kentucky University, Fontbonne University, World Trade Center in St. Louis and The Regional Commerce and Growth Association of St. Louis. She has also exhibited internationally in Eme' Exposition Internationale at the Centre Culturel et de la Vie Associative Villeurbanne in Lyon, France.In an exhibition entitled "Master PiecesMetra's works were highlighted by Cincinnati's cultural magazine City Beat as "exploring the nude figure while relishing the paint in rich colors and bold strokes. The subject's gaze- or in one decapitated instance, lack of one- and the inclusion of a single object create a haunting effect."She has given lectures on her work and process at several events including PhD Gallery's One Year Anniversary, Opening Night of Gunther Van Hagan's Bodyworlds at St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis Community College at Forest Park's annual City Art Speak. Metra has taught Figure Drawing II/III at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Drawing I at St. Charles Community College and Drawing I/II at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. She is currently teaching Drawing II, III, Advanced Drawing, and Design I at Forest Park along with Art Appreciation at St. Charles and Maryville University. Her role as teacher has opened up a new vein in her work, something that she is just beginning to explore.