Millicent Young

Millicent Young: Cantos for the Anthropocene

6 January -11 February 2018

Biography

Millicent Young is a studio artist currently focusing on installation that integrates handmade sculpture, projection, verse, and sound. Young (b.1958, NYC) attended the Dalton School on scholarship (1962-1976) where her study of visual art, craft, music, and poetry were foundational. She went on to study at Wesleyan University, University of Virginia (BA 1984), University of Denver, and James Madison University (MFA 1997). Cross cultural experiences, a diverse family ancestry, her immersion in rural lifeways, and her wage work as a laborer and with survivors of violence were formative influences on the sense of citizenship that infuses her practice.

EDUCATION
Dalton School, NYC (1964-1976)
Wesleyan University, CT (1976-1978)
University of Virginia BA (1982-1984)
University of Denver (1984-1985)
James Madison University MFA (1994-1997)

SOLO & TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS/INSTALLATIONS
2026
STRONGROOM with Ann Street Gallery, NY “Holding Light Sutra”
2025
Elijah Wheat Showroom, NY “Compact, Relaxed & Intact” (two person)
2024
St. Michael’s College, VT “When There Were Birds: Sutra for Belonging”
Endicott College, MA “Begin Again” (two person)
Glasshouse, NY “Emptying”
Castello 925 Venice Italy “Il Viaggio”
2023
Merge, NY “Alter Altar: 20 years”
2022
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, NY “In the Silence Between”
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, NY “Remains”
2021
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, NY “When There Were Birds iii”
2020
Columbia Greene Community College, NY “Elegies”
2019
Broken Wing Barn, NY “When There Were Birds ii”
11 Jane St. Art and Performance Space, NY “When There Were Birds ”
2018
Cross Contemporary Art, NY “Of This”
Les Yeux du Monde VA “Cantos for the Anthropocene”
Cross Contemporary Art, NY “Three Windows at Newberry”
2016
Sweet Briar College VA “Forms for a New Mythology”
2015
Beverly Street Gallery VA “Contemplating Koans”
2014
Hillyer Art Space DC “Known/Not Known, part 2″
2013
Chroma Projects: Art Laboratory VA “Known/Not Known”
2011
Greater Reston Arts Center VA “Vehicles and Vessels”
2007
Northern Virginia Community College VA “Epilogue”
2004
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts “Trans-“
McLean Project for the Arts VA “Between Within”
2000
1708 Gallery Richmond, VA “Recent Work”
1999
Eastern Mennonite University, VA “Recent Work”
1998
Radford University, VA
McGuffey Art Center, VA
1997
Sawhill Gallery/James Madison University M.F.A. Exhibition: “Possibilities of Transforming the Paradigm”
1994
Woodberry Forest School, VA, “Ceramic Sculpture”
1992
McGuffey Art Center, VA
1988
Piedmont Community College, VA

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2024
Castello 925 “Il Viagio” (solo) Venice ITALY
Castello 925 “I Foresti” Venice ITALY
2023
DOX Center for Contemporary Art “Beyond Words” Prague CZECH
2009
Art Museum of Chianciano ITALY
2005
Biennale Internazionale dell’Arte Contemporanea Florence ITALY
Museum of Contemporary Art “Hermandades Escultoricas: Mexico – USA” Merida MEXICO

CURATED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026
Ann Street Gallery, NY “(your) body is a porous language: (our) embodied connections”
2025
The Hyde Collection, NY “Cusp” (three person)
Tivoli Artist Gallery, NY “Variable Matrix”
2023
Ann Street Gallery NY “Listening to Land”
Woodstock Artists Association and Museum NY “Behind the Veil”
2022
Ecoartspace, NYC “Fragile Rainbow: Traversing Habitats”
LesYeux du Monde, VA “Turn on the Light”
Portsmouth Museum of Art, VA “If Not Now”
2021
Lightforms Art Center, NY “Facing the Unknown: Imagination in Time of Pandemic”
2020
The Re Institute, NY “Together in Isolation”
Collar Works, NY “SpaceLAB”
All She Makes/WoArt “A Changing Point of View” (on line)
Unison Art Center, NY “Composed to Decompose: Sequential Responsive Transformations” Linda Weintraub, curator
Joan Hisako Gallery DC “Material Woman: The Power of the Feminine Hand”
2019
The Re Institute, NY “Earthly Delights”
2018
100 Bogart St, NYC “Size Matters”
Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, NYC “Pop Goes the Weasel”
Cross Contemporary Gallery, NY
Wired Gallery , NY “Quartet”
2016
Les Yeux du Monde “Summer Light” VA
Bower Center for the Arts Sculpture Invitational VA
2015
Joan Hisaoka Gallery “Sanctuary” DC
Greater Reston Art Center “Ephemeral” VA
2014
Rawls Museum “Virginia Curated: Inaugural Exhibition” VA
Portsmouth Art Center “Changing Appalachia: Custom to Cutting Edge” VA
2013
Greater Reston Arts Center “Forty for Forty: Celebrating Four Decades of GRAC” VA
Washington Project for the Arts “Options” DC
Joan Hisaoka Gallery “Alchemical Vessels” DC
2012
University of Maryland “Wood, Paper, and Fibers” MD
McLean Project for the Arts “50th Anniversary Exhibition” VA
2011
Grand Rapids Art Museum / ArtPrize MI
Washington Project for the Arts “Art Night” DC
Joan Hisaoka Gallery “Vessel” DC
Chroma Projects “Farm Use” VA
The Textile Museum “Green” DC
Chroma Projects “Anthology: A Thousand Words x Four” VA
Civilian Arts Project “climate, control” DC
2010
Area 405 “41 Miles North” MD
Chroma Projects “In the Beginning” VA
Greater Reston Arts Center “Pop-Up @ SOMA” VA
2009
Art Museum of the Americas “Bilateral Engagement” DC
National Museum of Women in the Arts “Hard Copy” DC
2008
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery “Material” LA
2007
Brattleboro Art Museum
“Four Sculptors” VT
Suffolk Museum of Art
”Women of Steel; Men of Cloth” VA
2006
Zenith Gallery “Dimensions” DC
Spheris Gallery VT
Reeves Contemporary / Works on Paper at the Armory NYC
Kim Foster Gallery NYC
2005
Kim Foster Gallery NYC
Kingston Sculpture Biennial NY
Area 405 “American Clay: Contemporary Sculpture” MD
2004
Sculpture Hill Project DC
2002
NY Arts Magazine / Maryland Art Place NYC / MD
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts DC (exhibition canceled)
2001
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts DE
2000
Grounds for Sculpture / International Sculpture Center NJ
Montpelier Cultural Arts Center “20th Anniversary of Sculpture” MD
1999
Montpelier Cultural Arts Center “Clay in Sculpture” MD
1998
Towson University “Emerging Talents in Contemporary Sculpture” MD

JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2023
“Intimacy and Immensity” Woodstock Artist Association and Museum NY Jurors: James
Holl and Susan Wides, ‘T’ Space
2022
“Risk and Experimentation” Woodstock Artist Association and Museum NY Juror: Seph
Rodney, independent critic/curator and former senior editor at Hyperallergic
Dorsky Museum NY “The Material, The Thing” Juror: Nicole Hayes
2017
“Homeward Bound” Taubman Museum of Art VA Juror: Bradley Sumrall Ogden
Museum of Southern Art
2016
Dave Bown Projects (on line) Jurors: Kelly Kivland (Dia) and Helga Christoffersen
(New Museum)
2013
“This Is Labor” VisArt MD Jurors: Anne Reeve, Claire D’Alba
2011
New York Art Marathon semi finalist (on line) Juror: David Gibson
2010
“Spiritual Visions” Hermitage Museum VA Juror: D. McLeod, Chroma Projects, VA
“gaps” Greater Reston Arts Center VA Juror: Vesela Stretenovic, Philips Collection
“National Juried Sculpture Exhibition” Marlboro Gallery MD Juror: Molly Donovan, National Gallery of Art
2009
“Flora” United States Botanic Garden DC Juror: Lillian Fitzgerald, Independent Curator
“Reform” Workhouse Art Center Juror: Claire Huschle, Arlington Arts Center, VA
2008
“Aquifer” Edison Gallery DC Juror: D. McLeod, Independent Curator, VA
“The Healing Power of Art” (on line exhibition) Manhattan Arts International
2007
“Equinox” Arlington Arts Center VA Juror: Lorie Mertes, Fabric Museum
2006
“Inside/Out” Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Juror: Jeff Nathanson, former director International Sculpture Center
“Sculpture 2006″ Portsmouth Museum VA Juror: Cameron Kitchin, director Contemporary Art Center of VA
“Sculpture Unbound” DC Juror: Glenn Harper, Sculpture Magazine
2002
Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts Juror: Ann Landi, independent critic
“National Prize Show” Cambridge Art Assoc. Juror: Lisa Dennison, Guggenheim Museum
2001
“National Prize Show” Cambridge Art Assoc. Juror: Maxwell Anderson, director Whitney Museum
“Images 2001″ Penn State Juror: Frederick Brandt, Virginia Museum of Fine Art
2000
Maryland Art Place Jurors: Claudia Gould, Institute of Cont. Art, PA; Helen
Molesworth, Baltimore Museum of Art; Lorna Simpson
1999
“Sculpture ‘99″ Washington, DC Juror: Willem de Looper, Phillips Collection
1998
“Select: A Regional Juried Exhibition” VA Juror: Ashley Kistler, Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts
“Ceramics International Biennial” Zanesville Fine Arts Center OH Jurors: D. MacDonald, H. Gernhardt, D. Prince
1997
Pennisula Fine Arts Center, VA Juror: Jack Cowart, Corcoran Gallery
1996
“Sculpture ‘96″ DC Juror: Olga Viso
1995
“Sculpture ’95” DC Juror: Virginia Mecklenberg

AWARDS & GRANTS
2025
Henry Moore Foundation Project Grant
New York State Council on the Arts Artist Support Grant
2024
New York State Council on the Arts/Arts Mid Hudson Arts and Culture Project Grant
2023
New York State Council on the Arts/Arts Mid Hudson Individual Artist Grant
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
2022
Distinguished Alumni Award, School of Art, Design, and Art History James Madison
University
2021
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Covid Grant
2020
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Covid Grant
2019
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant Arts Mid Hudson Individual Artist Grant
2017
Taubman Museum of Art: Homeward Bound second place by Bradley Sumrall (Ogden Museum of Southern Art)
2016
Dave Bown Projects (on line) Award of Excellence by Kelly Kivland (Dia) and Helga Christoffersen (New Museum)
Manifest Prize: One 6 semi finalist Manifest Gallery, OH
2010
Kari Beims 1st Place Award by Molly Donovan, curator of Cont. Art National Gallery of Art, DC
First Place Hermitage Museum by D. McLeod, director owner Chroma Projects: Art Laboratory, VA
2009
Honorable Mention in Sculpture Chianciano Biennale; International Jury
2006
First Place Award by Jeff Nathanson International Sculpture Center, NJ
People’s Choice Award Portsmouth Museum
2005
Sculpture Prize (4th) Florence Biennale; International Jury
Semi Finalist The Trawick Prize. Jurors: Thom Collins, Contemporary Museum,
Baltimore, MD; Andrea Pollan, Independent Curator, DC; Olga Viso, Director, Hirshhorn Museum
2002
First Place Juror Award by Ann Landi, independent critic
2001
First Place Sculpture Award by Maxwell Anderson, director Whitney Museum
First Place Sculpture Award by Frederick Brandt Virginia Museum of Fine Art
1998
Award of Merit by Ashley Kistler, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
1997
Award of Merit by Jack Cowart, Corcoran Gallery

FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
2014
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Artist Fellowship Award
2003
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (fully funded but unable to attend)
2001
Vermont Studio Center residency
1999
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Artist Fellowship Award
1994-97
Graduate Teaching Fellowship James Madison University

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
National Museum for Women in the Arts

ART INSTRUCTION
2020
Visiting Critic University of Virginia Sculpture Department
2018
Teaching Artist Vermont College of Fine Arts/MFA program
2016
Visiting Artist University of Virginia Sculpture Department
1997-2003
Instructor: Ceramics I, Ceramics II, Ceramics III
Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
1998
Instructor: Sculpture
Randolph-Macon Woman’s College Lynchburg, VA
1994-98
Instructor: 3D Design, 2D Design, Art in General Culture
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
1993-94
Instructor: Advanced Ceramics and Sculpture Mary Baldwin College Staunton, VA
1992-94
Instructor: Ceramics I & II; Sculptural Ceramics
Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville, VA
1988-89
Instructor: Ceramics I & II
Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville, VA
1987-93
Instructor, Departmental Coordinator, and Curriculum Development
St. Anne’s-Belfield School Charlottesville, VA

While responding to specific events of breakdown – the collapsing biosphere, war, and the loss of language, place, and relationship – my artwork meets these events as matters of the soul where collective history and personal story merge, and where contemplative stillness and agency meet.

My installations are encounters with grief, beauty, and the incomprehensible before us. The quiet forms are sites of emergence and paradigm change.

Repairing the splitting – of ourselves from within, from each other and from other beings, from place and memory – are central concerns of my work. Belonging is a relationship and an ontogeny. The abrogation of belonging runs through every dimension of extinction we face and that we, as humans, are the face of.

Natural processes of formation and deformation; principles and practices of trauma healing and conflict transformation; spiritual ecology and landcare; the notions that the impulse for change is sparked by the convergence of dissimilars and that outer change is the expression of inner change: these concepts are the bedrock of my forms and practice.

The multimedia works integrate kinetic, tactile, aural, graphic, ephemeral, and light-based materials. The field recordings of place, sound, and verse fuse journalistic tenderness and global scale themes. Using dissimilar materials and modalities and combining handcrafted and digital methods, my creative process itself is an exploration of emergent processes.

My materials are also metaphors. Ordinary, often gathered, they carry personal, ecological, and cultural inheritance. Labor as a contemplative ritual is a fully embodied aspect of my creative process as seen for instance, by the thousands of individually crafted strands of elongated horsetail hair. The hair from a once living mammal, for instance, becomes like breath in the moving air and gathers light as if illuminated from within.

Feature in Dutch textile journal Textile Plus
Hot Coffee Conversation between Two Sculptors: Millicent Young and Steve Wood, November 2025
ecoartspace feature, January 2024
Nina Mdivani reviews Alter Altar solo in Sculpture Magazine, October 2023
Seph Rodney on Millicent Young “In the Abeyance”, catalog essay 2023
Tautvydas Urbelis on Millicent Young in Foundwork, 2022
Millicent Young in Majuscule vol 9, 2022
“Seeing the Divine” Sarah Sargent, Cville Weekly, 2022
“Millicent Young: Human Here and Now” Jonathan Goodman, Sculpture Magazine, cover feature, March/April, 2020. PDF HERE
“By a Thread: Women Fiber Artists of the Hudson Valley”, Marie Doyon, Chronogram, 2020
“Millicent Young: Elegies” Jonathan Goodman, WhiteHot Magazine, 2020
“Millicent Young: Spirituality and Awareness in Contemporary Art” Jonathan Goodman, FronteraD, 2019
“Millicent Young at Cross Contemporary Art” Jonathan Goodman, WhiteHot Magazine, 2019
George Quasha interviews Millicent Young || Art Is, 2018
“Millicent Young: Encountering the Unknown” Scott Gleeson, Peripheral Vision Press 2018
“Millicent Young: Earthly Flights of Imagination” Kingston Arts, 2018
POSIT: a journal of art and literature #16, 2018
“Remembering Awe” Sarah Sargent, Artnosh, 2017
“Under the Radar: Millicent Young” Ann Landi, Vasari21, 2016
“Known/Not Known” exhibition catalog 2014
“Millicent Young Seeks a New Mythology” Sarah Sargent, Cville Weekly, 2013
“Millicent Young’s Transformative Gift” Gerald Ross, 2013
“Millicent Young: Solid into Vapor” Deborah McLeod, 2013