METRA MITCHELL
Metra Mitchell’s unique background has allowed her to construct an identity that truly reflects the social, economic, and ethnic histories that have formed her. Her mother immigrated to America from Iran during the Iranian Revolution. Her father was born and raised in Kentucky, the American South. The diversity of her background allows her to represent and bring forth the experiences of those with multicultural backgrounds as well. Metra Mitchell earned her BFA in Painting & Minor in Art History from Western Kentucky University and MFA in Painting from Fontbonne University. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her work can be seen in publications such as Studio Visit Magazine, All the Arts Magazine, and LUXE Interior + Design Magazine. Commercial galleries include Houska Gallery in St. Louis, MO & Sager Reeves Gallery in Columbia, MO, and Good Weather Gallery in Edwardsville, IL. Special collaborative projects include collections at the Angad Arts Hotel & Metro Theater Company in St. Louis, MO.
She has also taught studio and art history courses at many institutions such as Maryville University, St. Louis Community College, St. Charles Community College & Southwestern Illinois College. She has led Museums and Galleries as well as Drawing courses in Florence, Italy through the Missouri Study Abroad Intercollegiate Consortium (MOSAIC) via the Global Studies Department at Maryville University for many years. Through the consortium, she has also taught courses in Madrid, Spain, and Lugano, Switzerland, and broadened her own cultural experiences through excursions visiting museums and major monuments in many other countries. Travel encourages a broader view of art history and teaches us the importance of seeking a comprehensive overview of all civilizations and analysis of their artistic production in terms of their own cultural values. In addition to teaching coursework abroad, she has also coordinated the scheduling of all classes, organized ticketing, and managed the budget. This experience has been one of the many where strong leadership and organizational skills were of essential importance in her professional artistic career.
