Mike Sweeney's M.F.A. (1990) from the University of Connecticut begat an interest in social engagement and bridges between visual and textual literacy. He has engaged dual careers in public libraries and schools as he pursued exhibition opportunities nationally. After training on the job in antique furniture restoration in 2015, Mike’s recombination and synthesis of common materials through craft technique has become more integral to his work.
His 2019 interview in LandEscape Now! 10th edition was book-ended by duo and solo exhibitions at the Hartford Public Library ArtWalk and Pegasus Gallery at MXCC. In 2020 and 2021, Mike participated in exhibitions with the National Collage Society, Marblehead Arts Association, and New Grounds Remarque Print Workshop.
Professional History (pdf)
Recent Publications and Activities
Contemporary Collage Magazine, Issue 11 - Three Word Challenge, Straight Forwardly Palimpsest, August 2022
Osmosis Press Featured Writing - Tortoise Maze (visual poem), November 2021
View from the Easel, Hyperallergic, 2021
#MGNECONNECTS (cover image), Monotype Guild of New England - dedicated to the art of the unique print, 2020
Object lesson presenter, Paperology R.A.G., initiated by Laboratoire Artefact , Universite de Montreal, 2020-2021
LandEscape meets Michael Sweeney (interview), LandEscape Now! 10th edition, September 2019
Making Books that Don’t Open, Choosing Books that Do, Zip06, February 2016
Monotype Guild of New England (member portfolio - MGNE), 2019 - Present
Selected Exhibitions
2022
Midsummer Festival, Lyme Academy of the Arts, Old Lyme, CT
Craft Nouveau, (juried exhibition), Blue Line Arts Gallery, Roseville, CA.
Archaeology (solo sculpture exhbit), West Hartford Public Library, West Hartford, CT
Human Faces & Figures (juried exhibition), Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2021
ImPRESSive (juried exhibition), Monotype Guild of New England at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Pawtucket, RI.
Cimarron National Works on Paper(juried exhibition), University of Oklahoma, Stillwater, OK.
Memorial.Monument.Movement (juried online exhibit), Art against Racism, NJ.
Variations (juried exhibition), Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead, MA
2020
8th Annual International Juried Print Exhibition, New Grounds Remarque Print Workshop, Abuquerque, NM
36th Annual Juried Exhibit, draws attention to the nouns, but it's the verbs that mount, National Collage Society, nationalcollage.com/2020 (presented online due to COVID-19 restrictions beginning November 2)
No Big Heads (juried self-portrait exhibition), showing the seams, the drywall tape, the glue, Hugh McPeck Gallery, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, (presented online due to COVID-19 restrictions, full exhibit best viewed by desktop) - included piece or exhibit
2019
in the air... (installation of works from Cloud & Horizon), Pegasus Gallery, Middlesex Community College
Open Member's Exhibition: Press & Release (juried), Chester Gallery of Art at New England College, Henniker, NH
2017
wood. / words. - ArtWalk Exhibit with Rafael Oses, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
2016
All of Us or None, Nothing so small could be dangerous, Traveling Exhibition for the American Friends Service Committee
Books of Things We Do Not Know - Saxton B Little Library, Columbia, CT
Fall Crafts @ Lyndehurst, Tarrytown, NY
Woven and Painted - Acton Library, Old Saybrook, CT
2015
Outdoor Autumn Arts Festival, Madison, CT
Avon Arts and Crafts Fall Show, Avon, CT
Group Exhibition, Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisan Store, Centerbrook, CT
Embracing Our Differences (link), nothing is only as it looks, group billboard exhibit, Sarasota Island Park and Bradenton Riverwalk, FL
Revelation/Revolution (group exhibition), Nails in the Wall Gallery, Metuchen, NJ
Nor'EasterExhibition, New Britain Museum of Art, New Britain, CT
2014
1703 Miles and Back, Sketchbook Project, Brooklyn Art Library travelling National Tour
2013
Persistent Technology, exhibition of carved books, Saxton B. Little Library, Columbia, CT
2012
Saxton B. Little Benefit Auction, Columbia, CT
2010
Nor'Easter Exhibition, New Britain Museum of Art, New Britain, CT
2006
Tuning Up, New Haven Symphony Orchestra benefit auction, New Haven, CT
Solo Exhibition, Javapalooza, Middletown, CT
2005
Breast Cancer Benefit Art Auction, North Hampton, MA
2002
Works on Paper, Borders, Fairfield, CT
Works on Paper, Koffee, New Haven, CT
2000
Thanksgiving, The Gathering Place, Hartford, CT
Group Benefit Exhibit, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Private Collections
2017
Set of 4 Books of Things We Do Not Know, (Collection of N. Stevens, Mansfield, CT)
Set of 2 Books of Things We Do Not Know, (Collection of J. Finnegan, West Hartford, CT)
2016
A Book of Things We Do Not Know, cedar, birdseye maple, and chestnut (Stephanie Kallos, novelist and author of Language Arts, Seattle, WA)
Lotus, carved and painted mirror frame, oak (P. Robinson, Willimantic, CT)
2014
A book of things we don’t know, oak and pine (J. Neri, Colchester, CT)
A book of things we don’t know, oak and pine (K. Henson, Salem, CT)
2011
Carved Bird, mahogany perched bird, (B. James, Salem, CT)
Rob’s Bird, African blackwood bird in flight (R. McLaughlin, East Lyme, CT)
2010
Fish, painted and woven paper (L. Champagne, Gales Ferry, CT)
2005
Series of three, pith helmet, white pumpkin, and watering can, hand carved and painted wooden garden sculptures (E. Allen, Middletown, CT)
1997
Butternut Linen Cabinet, original design and creation of a standing linen cabinet in butternut with maple door pulls (P. Russman, Portland, Oregon
1995
Demon Chairs, two wooden and upholstered armchairs carved and painted with text and images inspired by Lermentov's epic The Demon (E. Allen, Middletown, CT)
Cats Know Why, original design and creation of a carved and painted mirror frame and etched mirror with text and image (M. Patnode, Cranberry Lake, NY)
Mirror Cracked, original design and creation of a carved and painted frame and etched mirror with text and image (L. Patnode, Cranberry Lake, NY)
1994
Rider on Horse, photo transfer and woodblock print on paper (L. Gordy, Spartanburg, S.C.)