MICHELLE O’CONNOR
Abstract Artist
Chicago, Illinois
michelleoconnorabstract.com

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Xavier University
College of Lake County

Pamela Caughey, MFA — Painting & Drawing
Powerful Design and Personal Color Training

Adele Sypesten — Professional Abstract Artist (1993–2023)
Art with Adele Academy — Abstract Art Training & Membership

Rose Hewartson
Unleash Your Creative Potential — Online Training

Bibby Gignilliat
Abstract Art Studies

Nicholas Wilton
Art2Life — Courses & Mentorship

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025
Beyond the Obvious — Solo Exhibition
Blue Moon Gallery, Grayslake, IL (May)

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025
Wallflowers Exhibition — Blue Moon Gallery, Grayslake, IL (March)
Untamed Wildflowers

Members Show — Robert T. Wright Community Gallery / College of Lake County (January)
Outside City Limits

Recent Works Juried Show — Robert T. Wright Community Gallery (September)
In the Space Between

CAVA Winter Juried Show — Chicago Cultural Center (November)

2026

Members Show - Robert T. Wright Community Gallery / College of Lake County (January)

Took Me A Minute

CAVA - Annual Members Show - MANA Contemporary Chicago (March)

Practicing CoExistence

2026

CAVA - Small Works Show - Elmhurst Art Museum (June)

Glyph of the Unspoken

2026

CAVA - Later Impressions (August)

What Remains Becomes

The Art Center Highland Park

2026

The Dole 4th Fridays Event (August)

The Beginning of Yes

2026

EXHIBITIONS (2017–2019)

2019
Affair of the Arts Annual Show — Spring Grove, IL
Adler Arts Center Auction Event — Libertyville, IL

2018
Affair of the Arts Annual Show — Spring Grove, IL
Fairfield Market Arts & Crafts Show — McHenry / Volo, IL
Warren High School Holiday Arts & Crafts Show — Gurnee, IL

2017
Lake County Fairgrounds Holiday Show — Grayslake, IL
Fairfield Market Arts & Crafts Show — McHenry, IL

SELECTED VENUES & ARTIST COLLECTIVES (2017–2024)

Summer’s Boutique Shop — Grayslake, IL
State of Mind Yoga — Third Lake, IL
Midtown H/M Handmade Shop — Grayslake, IL
Midtown H/M Handmade Shop — Long Grove, IL
Inner Haven Spiritual Development Center & Art Gallery
— Collective Artist, Third Lake, IL

Blue Moon Gallery - Grayslake, IL

AWARDS

1st Place Booth
Affair of the Arts Annual Show — Spring 2018

Honorable Mention
Altars of Memory
Dole Mansion 4th Fridays Exhibition — August 2025

Best of Show Award of Achievement in Visual Arts

Glyph of the Unspoken

CAVA Small Works Show - June 2026

Honorable Mention

The Beginning of Yes

The Dole 4th Friday’s Exhibition - August 2026

People’s Choice Award

The Beginning of Yes

The Dole 4th Friday’s Exhibition - August 2026

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS

Robert T. Wright Gallery — Grayslake, IL
In the Space Between, 2025

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

United States

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Women’s Circles — Healing Art Workshops

Embrace Your Creativity Workshops
Inner Haven Spiritual Development Center & Art Gallery

Mixed Media Play

Black Eyed Press - the studio of Samira Gdisis

https://samiragdisisart.com/workshops

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Blue Moon Gallery
Robert T. Wright Gallery

Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists

Adler Arts Center
Inner Haven Spiritual Development Center & Art Gallery