Curriculum Vitae
CYNTHIA ARMSTRONG O’HERN
Born in 1986.
Lives and works in Des Moines, Iowa.
EXHIBITIONS
2023- Octagon Center for the Arts, ‘Snáithín Baineannach (Feminine Fiber),’ a solo exhibition of feltworks, Ames, IA.
2022- Derreenataggart Stone Circle, ‘Urraim Snaidhmthe (Knotted Reverence),’ in situ fiber installation in collaboration with Maria Tanner Cohen, Derreenataggart W, Co. Cork, Ireland.
2022- Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, “Materials: Hard + Soft,” International Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Competition, Denton, TX.
2022- Brown’s Woods, ‘Meditation Soundscape and Massage,’ immersive soundscape installation of Clochán Snáithíneach, (F)emanate, Limbs, & The H(a)unch, West Des Moines, IA.
2022- Gaulstown Dolmen, ‘Deasghnáth Crua (Hard Ritual),’ in situ fiber installation in collaboration with Maria Tanner Cohen, Butlerstown, Co. Waterford, Ireland.
2021- Polk County Heritage Gallery, “Greater Des Moines Exhibited XXVIII,” Des Moines, IA.
2021- Indianapolis Art Center, “Women’s Work,” Indianapolis, IN.
2021- Polk County Heritage Gallery, “Greater Des Moines Exhibited XXVII,” Des Moines, IA.
2021- Octagon Center for the Arts, “Octagonal 2021: All Media Exhibit,” Ames, IA.
2021- Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, “Materials: Hard + Soft,” International Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Competition, Denton, TX.
2020- Anderson Gallery, “Threads Laid Bare,” Fiber Art Group Show, Des Moines, IA.
2020- Des Moines Art Center, “Limited Space: Quarantine Edition,” Group Video Installation, Des Moines, IA.
2020- Olsen Larsen Guild, “(F)emanate & Clochán Snáithíneach/Fiber Hut,” Solo Installation, West Des Moines, IA.
2020- Octagon Center for the Arts, “Octagonal 2020: All Media Exhibit,” Ames, IA.
2019- Polk County Heritage Gallery, “Greater Des Moines Exhibited XXVI,” Des Moines, IA.
2019- Polk County Heritage Gallery, ”Iowa Exhibited XXXIV,” Des Moines, IA.
ENGAGEMENT
Speaker. ‘Creative Play in Practice,’ Business of Art Conference (Ames Art Council and Octagon Center for the Arts) held at Reiman Gardens, Ames, IA, March 4, 2023.
Visiting Artist. Intro to Needle Felting Workshop in conjunction with solo exhibition, ‘Snáithín Baineannach (Feminine Fiber),’ Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA, February 23, 2023.
Panel Artist. Topic: ‘Artists are essential,’ facilitated by Kristen Greteman at the Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA, March 5, 2021.
Visiting Artist. Wet Felting Demonstration, Anderson Gallery at Drake University, Des Moines, IA, September 26, 2020.
Visiting Artist. Felt Making Workshop, Walnut Creek Campus Alternative High School, West Des Moines, IA, October 4, 2019.
Visiting Artist. Community Fiber Sculpture, Summer Blockbuster at the Museum. State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, June 7 – July 25, 2015.
AWARDS
Merit Award, Des Moines Exhibited XXVIII, Polk County Heritage Gallery, 2021. Juror Aaron Tinder.
Best of Show, Women’s Work, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN. 2021
Merit Award, Des Moines Exhibited XXVII, Polk County Heritage Gallery, 2021. Juror Larassa Kabel.
4th Place Juror Prize Winner, Materials: Hard + Soft, Denton, TX, 2021. Juror Pablo Barrera.
Iowa Arts & Culture Recovery Program. 2020 Grant Awardee
Winifred V. Brown Best of Show, Octagonal 2020, Ames, IA, 2020. Juror Jordon Weber.
Best of Show, Iowa Exhibited XXXIV, Polk County Heritage Gallery, 2019. Juror Molly Wood.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2022- Attendee of Ealaín Fiáin (Wild Art) Retreat, a bilingual (Irish/English) women’s wild art retreat held in the Burren, Co. Clare Ireland.
2021- Member of the Des Moines Artist INC Cohort facilitated by Mid-America Art Alliance and the Des Moines Arts Festival.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hasek, Nicole. “Des Moines-based Artist Expresses Femininity Through Felt.” Iowa State Daily, 13 February 2023, https://iowastatedaily.com/272823/limelight/des-moines-based- artist-expresses-femininity-through-felt
McLaughlin, Beth and Cami Smith. “Felt: Fiber Transformed.” Fiber Art Now, Volume 10, Issue 3, Summer/Fall 2021, 36.
Waxman, Lori. “60wrd/min COVID Edition: Cynthia O’Hern, Dana Melamed, Fête Galante.” Newcity, 11 December 2020, https://art.newcity.com/2020/12/11/60wrd-min-covid-edition-cynthia-ohern-dana-melamed-fete-galante/
EDUCATION
Pratt Institute of Art. BFA, History of Art and Design, 2008.