Bambi & Proximity Gallery present Marie Ulmer “Tell All” at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, September 24

Northern Liberties’ Bambi and Proximity Gallery are pairing together to present a special exhibition by Marie Ulmer titled “Tell All.”  “Tell All,” which is presented by The University of the Arts Drawing and Painting Program, will hold its opening reception on Thursday, September 24^th, from 5-8pm in Philadelphia’s University of the Arts Anderson Hall.

For the last 82 years she has been an unacknowledged figure in the Philadelphia art scene. This show introduces her prolific collection and represents a lifetime of dedication to the arts. With the same perseverance of this Philadelphia female artist, Candace Karch (Bambi Gallery) and Janel Rivera Frey (Proximity Gallery) have begun to catalogue her massive body of work.  On September 24th at the 8th Floor Gallery in the Anderson Building, at the University of the Arts, from 5pm-8pm, the pair (also alumni) will be curating Marie Ulmer’s most recent exhibition “Tell All”.

On view will be works created by Ulmer as a young woman during her days at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Design, the now UArts. Marie, a 1941 Illustration graduate, grew up on Howard Street in the Kensington/Fishtown section of Philadelphia, where she resides to this day. She has made an exceptional lifetime commitment to her work. Ulmer pursued a career with the Free Library for over 30 years as an illustrator, while continuously and modestly working in all mediums. Marie Ulmer is a true bohemian artist who, literally, continues to create art to this day.

As a child, plagued by anxiety and depression, Marie escaped into a world of imagination.  Her father sought professional help and took the advice of one doctor who has been quoted as saying ” She will be nothing more than a vegetable”. Coming from modest means, her stepmother and father did not support her innate talent.

Unfortunately, due to her emotional health she was denied a scholarship to art school. This was the first of many hurdles. Eventually, through the help of a family friend, and a psychologist, her father was convinced, and allowed her to pursue her dream.

This show will give the art community an opportunity to understand Marie Ulmer’s passion and persistence to her craft. Her inherent ability to overcome crisis and tragedy throughout her life is a testament to her natural inclination to solely produce art. Never married and without children, Ulmer has entrusted her estate to Karch and Frey, in order to preserve her life’s work.

Proximity Gallery and Bambi Gallery are extremely proud to present Marie Ulmer at UArts on Thursday Sept 24th from 5-8 pm. Please join us for light refreshments and a chance to meet the funky and fashion forward Ms. Marie Ulmer.

Opening reception

Thursday, September 24th 5-8pm

University of the Arts

333 South Broad st.

Anderson Hall

Painting and Drawing Department

817 Gallery, on the 8th floor