ABOUT

Emma Schwartz (b. 1999, Lincoln, NE) is a mixed media artist currently based in Upstate New York. Her figurative work combines painting and soft sculpture, mobilizing her explorations of sex, devotion, and relationships outside of the repressive doctrines of Evangelicalism. Referencing Biblical stories, Christian iconography, and personal narratives, her work highlights the sinner/saint binary emphasized throughout her Evangelical upbringing and how she navigates and rebuilds a sense of community and self-acceptance through the deconstruction of her faith.

EDUCATION

2022 to 2025 - Syracuse University, MFA in Studio Art

2018 to 2022 - IUPUI (Herron School of Art + Design), BFA in Drawing & Illustration with a Minor in Art History

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023

Biblio Gallery “The Word Upon Your Heart”, Syracuse, NY.

Storage Space Gallery “The Acts of the Flesh”, Indianapolis, IN.

TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS

2024

Citrus Gallery “Trinity and Colt: Godly Body”, Syracuse, NY.

Biblio Gallery “The Space Within You and Me”, Syracuse, NY.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025

Upstate Art Collective x Barrett Fine Art Gallery “Borders + Edges”, Utica, NY.

MyMA “Dolce Far Niente”, Virtual.

Central New York Arts - Art in the Atrium “Transitions”, Syracuse, NY.

Central New York Arts - Art in the Atrium “Summer Invitational”, Syracuse, NY.

Rusha & Co. “Love Letter Show” Los Angeles, CA.

Flowing Space Gallery “Flower and I” New York, NY.

Warehouse Gallery “Unforeseen II” Syracuse, NY.

Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition “Liminal Cartographies”, Brooklyn, NY.

Ruby/Dakota x Loft Projects “Slumber Party”, New York, NY.

2024

LIMBO “RESISTANCE”, Margate, UK.

SOHO20 “My Body, My Choice”, Virtual.

Visionary Projects “Collective II” New York, NY.

Harsh Collective “Dress Up” Brooklyn, NY.

Shug Gallery “GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS” Norwich, United Kingdom

Black Brick Project, “Vol. 1: Volume”, Brooklyn, NY.

The Gear Factory Gallery, “Citra’cuse”, Syracuse, NY.

The Yards Collective, “Chronique Scandaleause”, Rochester, NY.

Downtown Artist Cellar, “TAKEOVER”, Malone, NY.

Collect Bean, March Collection, New York, NY.

Soft Times Gallery, “The Big Softie”, San Francisco, CA.

2023

The High Line Nine x Visionary Projects “The Collective”, New York, NY.

Colonels Row Building 403 on Governor’s Island “Diverging Paths”, New York, NY.

2022

Hera Gallery “Objects of Agency” (Virtual), Wakefield, RI.

Dabster Art Inc. “ART IN THE TIME OF CORONA” (Virtual), Los Angeles, CA.

Hank & Dolly (Harrison Center) “House Fire”, Indianapolis, IN.

Indianapolis Art Center “Art From The Heartland”, Indianapolis, IN.

Garfield Park Arts Center “Red: A Color Exhibition”, Indianapolis, IN.

Site: Brooklyn “The Figure” (Virtual), Brooklyn, NY.

Herron Galleries “Senior Capstone Exhibition”, Indianapolis, IN.

Herron Galleries “Look/See”, Indianapolis, IN.

Garfield Park Arts Center “Hoosier Women in Art: Identity”, Indianapolis, IN.

Lost Dog Gallery “Growth”, Indianapolis, IN.

Lily Auditorium “Genesis Release Party”, Indianapolis, IN.

Hoy Polloy Gallery “No Rest for the Artists Group Show” Indianapolis, IN.

The FAR Center for Contemporary Arts “2022 NSAL Visual Arts Competition & Exhibition” Bloomington, IN.

Nickel Plate Arts, Stephenson House “Boosting the Signal: Women’s History in Art” Noblesville, IN.

Celestial Arts & Antiques “The Love Show” Indianapolis, IN.

The Arts Council of Indianapolis “Sidewalk Galleries” Indianapolis, IN.

2021

Sun King Brewery Local Craft “Holiday Group Show” Indianapolis, IN.

Storage Space Gallery “No Theme For the Holidays Group Show” Indianapolis, IN.

Garfield Park Arts Center “Encounter: A Sci-Fi and Fantasy Exhibition” Indianapolis, IN.

Indianapolis Art Center “Women’s Work (Nationally Juried Exhibition) Indianapolis, IN.

Garfield Park Arts Center “Green: A Color Exhibition” Indianapolis, IN.

Chromatic Collective “Indy Post-it Show” Indianapolis, IN.

2020

Carmel Art and Design District “Meet Me on Main” Carmel, IN.

AWARDS & GRANTS

2025

George Vander Sluis Painting Award (VPA Syracuse University)

PAC Grant, Spring (GSO Syracuse University)

Creative Opportunity Grant, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

2024

VPA Student Grant Program, Fall (VPA Syracuse University)

Creative Opportunity Grant, Fall (VPA Syracuse University)

George Vander Sluis Painting Award (VPA Syracuse University)

VPA Student Grant Program, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

Creative Opportunity Grant, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

Graduate Student Memorial Scholarship, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

2023

PAC Grant, Fall (GSO Syracuse University)

Creative Opportunity Grant, Fall (VPA Syracuse University)

Graduate Student Memorial Scholarship, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

Creative Opportunity Grant, Spring (VPA Syracuse University)

2022

Tuition Scholarship (Syracuse University)

VPA Graduate Scholarship (VPA, Syracuse University)

ARTIST TALKS

2024

The Yards Collective, “Chronique Scandaleuse” Artist Panel, Rochester, NY.

Perception Magazine Launch, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

2025

Citrus Gallery “PCRF Fundraiser”, Virtual.

Citrus Gallery “Double Dare Ya”, Syracuse, NY.

Citrus Gallery “All I Think About Now”, Syracuse, NY.

2024

Random Access Gallery “Just Like Heaven”, Syracuse, NY.

2023

The Wall @ Syracuse University “Ghosts Again”, Syracuse, NY.

The Wall @ Syracuse University “Interzone”, Syracuse, NY.

PUBLICATIONS

2025

New Visionary Magazine, Issue 15, Curated by Etta Harshaw (Harsh Collective).

Intertext, Syracuse University, 2025 Issue.

Girl Diaries, The Diary, Vol. 1.

Abstract Archive, Syracuse University, 2025 Issue.

2024

People We Meet on the Bus, Vol. 1. Fall Issue.

“Will You Meet Us Here?”, “I’m Your Cowgirl”, & “Bad Fruit.” Perception Magazine. Spring Issue.

2023

“Proximity” & “Untitled (Hip)” Polemical Zine: Issue 19.

“Emma Shaving Her Leg” ART IN THE TIME OF CORONA.

New Visionary Magazine, Issue 5: The Women’s Issue.

2022

“Jezebel” Random Access Zine. Vol. 1.

“Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolli-Lolli-Lolli.” Genesis: Literary and Art Magazine. Spring Issue.

2021

“Parking Garage”, “NYC Subway”, & “Untitled (Tampon)” Genesis: Literary and Art Magazine. Fall Issue. 

“Riverwalk Apartments.” Color Your Campus (IUPUI).

“Untitled.” Genesis: Literary and Art Magazine. Spring Issue.

EXPERIENCE

2024 to Current

Co-Founder/Director of Citrus Gallery, Syracuse, NY.

2022 to Current

Instructional Assistant at Syracuse University (Stevenson Educational Center for Student-Athletes), Syracuse, NY.

2025

Summer Intern at Sargent’s Daughters, New York, NY.

Studio Assistant for Delavan Studios, Syracuse, NY.

2022 to 2025

Teaching Assistant at Syracuse University (Painting Department, Second Year Studio, Art in Context), Syracuse, NY.

2023

Art in LA Week (Syracuse University), Los Angeles, CA.

2021

Gallery Assistant at Herron School of Art + Design, Indianapolis, IN.

RESEARCH

2021

“Gender Roles and Women in Ancient Mesoamerica.” IU Women’s and Gender Studies Undergraduate Conference.