Maria Downey

Maria began with three years of art class under Sister Agnes at Delone, though she had been doodling much longer. While at Delone, a Wildlife Conservation poster she did made it through a state level competition before national level. Through X-Ray school, she painted watercolors to hand out as gifts to various friends and family. After a years long hiatus, Maria started painting again in watercolors as an outlet to life events. Many of these were animal portraits, Christmas & greeting cards. She then started watching acrylic YouTube channels with artists Ryan O’Rourke, Jane Font and others. She took her first acrylic class through the Adams County Arts Council with a friend in 2022 and has been painting since, crediting her instructors Anita Williams, Elsie Shackleton, and Stanley Gilmore as huge inspiration for her growth in oils and watercolors. She also has had the chance to take classes/workshops  with Susan Nicholas Gephart in pastel and plein air. She wants to thank her family and friends for their encouragement through this journey.

For more information about art shows at the Adams County Arts Council, including how to have your work considered for an exhibit, contact [email protected].

Sponsorships of our monthly First Friday Receptions are beneficial to both artists and local business sponsors. For more information about how to sponsor a First Friday reception, contact [email protected].