Biography/CV
Mollie Thonneson has 40 years experience exhibiting her paintings, sculptures, and fabric work in universities, museums, and galleries. Highlights include invitational group shows at The Drawing Rooms in Jersey City, Saint Peters University in Jersey City, New Jersey City University and NoHo Gallery in New York City. Thonneson twice won a spot in the prestigious Curators Choice at the Jersey City Museum.
Thonneson was trained as an illustrator at Art Center College of Design, Ca. and finished with a BFA at New Jersey City University, majoring in Painting and Drawing. She is the inventor and designer of TAG the Art Game an award winning, interactive and collaborative art game that is played in schools worldwide. Thonneson owned and operated Joseph Franklin Interior Accessories along with her late husband, Joseph Franklin. Together they designed and manufactured lamps, mirrors and accent tables that featured copper patina and hand-painted relief tiles.
Thonneson is the Executive Director for Pro Arts Jersey City a non-profit arts organization. She lives in Jersey City with her life partner, musician and painter Alan Walker, their child Troy Franklin, and three cats.
EDUCATION
2012. BFA. New Jersey City University. Jersey City, NJ.
1979-1981. Art Center College of Design. Pasadena, Ca.
EXHIBITIONS
2022
ART150 Gallery, Right Now, curated by Pro Arts Jersey City Exhibition Committee, Jersey City, NJ
Watchung Arts Center, Black & White to Magnificent Color, curated by Alpana Mittal, Watchung, NJ
2021
New Jersey City University, Too Much, curated by Eileen Ferara, Jersey City, NJ
Pro Arts Jersey City, Resilient, curated by Liz Rudnick, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery,The Empowering, curated by Danielle Scott, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery, Reverse Engineered, curated by Catalina Aranguren, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery, Salon des Refuses, Paul Pinkman, Jersey City, NJ
ART150, Off the Wall, Catalina Aranguren, Jersey City, NJ
Art House Productions, Andrea McKenna, Jersey City, NJ
2020
Mana Contemporary, CADAF, Jersey City, NJ
Drawing Rooms, Prayers for the Progress, curated by Anne Trauben, Jersey City,NJ
Akwaaba Gallery, Soothing Souls, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Drawing Rooms , Prayers for the Pandemic, curated by Anne Trauben, Jersey City,NJ
Artsy.net, afloat, curated by Kerry Kolenut,
Casa Columbo Gallery, Facets of Women, curated by Lisa Collodro, , Jersey City, NJ
Noho M55 Gallery, I Witness, curated by Juliet Martin, New York, NY
Saint Peters University, Forged in Fabric, curated by Beatrice Mady, Jersey City, NJ
Hamilton Square, Jerseyscapes III, curated by Kristin DeAngelis, Jersey City, NJ
2019
Art Fair 14c, Wander, curated by Masha maskina, Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ
The Gallery Space, Identity, curated by Deirdre Kennedy and Maria Ross, Rahway, NJ
Art House Productions , Anti-Valentine, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
EqualSpace, Dulce, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Watchung Arts Center , Salons 2019, Watchung, NJ
Drawing Rooms , Cosmic Love, curated by Anne Trauben, , Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Solstice 2019, curated by Alpana Mittal, , Jersey City, NJ
107 Bowers Gallery, Secrets and Confessions, curated by Kristin DeAngelis, Jersey City, NJ
Barrow Mansion, HeArt and Soul, curated by Maria Ross, Jersey City, NJ
2017
Village West Gallery, New Jersey and You, curated by Robinson Holloway, Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Alan Walker and Mollie Thonneson, curated by Greg Brickey, Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Solstice, curated by Alpana Mittal , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Whatever, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
Gallery Aferro, She Speaks, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Do Not Be Afraid, curated by Greg Brickey, , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, The Raven Turns 3!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
2016
Saint Peter's University, Dyad, Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker, curated by Beatrice Mady , , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Wearable Art, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Up In Arms! curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
Pop Up Gallery, Moment's Notice, curated by Jo-El Lopez , Newark, NJ
What Do You Have To Say?, Pro Arts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
Power in Fragility, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali business center, Jersey City, NJ
Untitled Group Show, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2015
Curators Choice 2015, curated by Jeanne Brasile, Jersey City Art Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Mostly Drawing, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solo Show, curated by Jo-El Lopez , 85 Market Street, Newark, NJ
A Show of Hands: The Fiber Arts, curated by Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery, Centerbrook, CT
Baker's Dozen, Lawrence Cappiello, Arts Guild, Rahway, NJ
Kinetic Color, Modern Sage, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 2!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2014
Big Small Painting Show, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Curator’s Choice 2014, curated by David Ambrose, Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Interconnections, Tatiana Lopez, CitiLife, Jersey City, NJ
Same Difference, curated by Abby Levine, Willam V. Musto Cultural Center, Union City, NJ
Personal Perspectives, Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
Reflections and Interpretations; works in paint and textile, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali, Jersey City, NJ
Dialogue Between 6 Painters, curated by Vince Salvati, Citilife, Jersey City, NJ
The Glass Chronicles, Solo Show, curated by John Fathom, GP’s Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
ProArts Members Show, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
AWARDS
Gardenship Project, winner of billboard competition 2022
Curators Choice 2015, picked by Jeanne Brasile as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
Curators Choice 2014, picked by David Ambrose as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
ARTICLES and Reviews
Unlikely Stories, "Mylar Art" https://www.unlikelystories.org/content/mylar-art-october-2022 October 8, 2022
Jersey City Times, "JCAST 2022 - Eleven Marvelous Things at Mana Contemporary" https://jcitytimes.com/jcast22-eleven-marvelous-things-at-mana-contemporary/. by Tris McCall. October 7, 2022
Neighborhood Character, "Interview with Mollie Thonneson", by Amy Wilson. August 28, 2022 https://neighborhoodcharacter.substack.com/p/issue-70-mollie-thonnesons-art-makes
Jersey City Times, "Art Review: Cosmic Love". October 18, 2019 https://jcitytimes.com/cosmic-love/
The Source, "Spectrum Gallery Presents First Show of 2015". January 22, 2015.p52
New York Times, Events in New Jersey, image. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/nyregion/events-in-new-jersey-for-april-6-12- 2014.html?_r=0
Hortillosa, Summer D. "Complementary Colors: Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker Are Perfect Match in Art and Love"
Jersey City Independent. February 19, 2013. http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/02/19/complementary-colors-mollie- thonneson-and-alan-walker-are-perfect-match-in-art- and-love/
Hortillosa, Summer D. “NJCU grad’s paintings find ‘gems among city’s chaos’”.
The Jersey Journal. May 5, 2012. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/05/jersey_city_painter_has_show_a.html
Tuchman, Laura J. “A Midsummer Melange of Brightness and Brooding”. The Orange County Register. July 31, 1987. p28
EDUCATION
2012. BFA. New Jersey City University. Jersey City, NJ.
1979-1981. Art Center College of Design. Pasadena, Ca.
EXHIBITIONS
2022
ART150 Gallery, Right Now, curated by Pro Arts Jersey City Exhibition Committee, Jersey City, NJ
Watchung Arts Center, Black & White to Magnificent Color, curated by Alpana Mittal, Watchung, NJ
2021
New Jersey City University, Too Much, curated by Eileen Ferara, Jersey City, NJ
Pro Arts Jersey City, Resilient, curated by Liz Rudnick, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery,The Empowering, curated by Danielle Scott, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery, Reverse Engineered, curated by Catalina Aranguren, Jersey City, NJ
ART150 Gallery, Salon des Refuses, Paul Pinkman, Jersey City, NJ
ART150, Off the Wall, Catalina Aranguren, Jersey City, NJ
Art House Productions, Andrea McKenna, Jersey City, NJ
2020
Mana Contemporary, CADAF, Jersey City, NJ
Drawing Rooms, Prayers for the Progress, curated by Anne Trauben, Jersey City,NJ
Akwaaba Gallery, Soothing Souls, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Drawing Rooms , Prayers for the Pandemic, curated by Anne Trauben, Jersey City,NJ
Artsy.net, afloat, curated by Kerry Kolenut,
Casa Columbo Gallery, Facets of Women, curated by Lisa Collodro, , Jersey City, NJ
Noho M55 Gallery, I Witness, curated by Juliet Martin, New York, NY
Saint Peters University, Forged in Fabric, curated by Beatrice Mady, Jersey City, NJ
Hamilton Square, Jerseyscapes III, curated by Kristin DeAngelis, Jersey City, NJ
2019
Art Fair 14c, Wander, curated by Masha maskina, Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ
The Gallery Space, Identity, curated by Deirdre Kennedy and Maria Ross, Rahway, NJ
Art House Productions , Anti-Valentine, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
EqualSpace, Dulce, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Watchung Arts Center , Salons 2019, Watchung, NJ
Drawing Rooms , Cosmic Love, curated by Anne Trauben, , Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Solstice 2019, curated by Alpana Mittal, , Jersey City, NJ
107 Bowers Gallery, Secrets and Confessions, curated by Kristin DeAngelis, Jersey City, NJ
Barrow Mansion, HeArt and Soul, curated by Maria Ross, Jersey City, NJ
2017
Village West Gallery, New Jersey and You, curated by Robinson Holloway, Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Alan Walker and Mollie Thonneson, curated by Greg Brickey, Jersey City, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Solstice, curated by Alpana Mittal , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Whatever, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
Gallery Aferro, She Speaks, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Newark, NJ
Rotunda Gallery, Do Not Be Afraid, curated by Greg Brickey, , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, The Raven Turns 3!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
2016
Saint Peter's University, Dyad, Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker, curated by Beatrice Mady , , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Wearable Art, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
The Raven, Up In Arms! curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, , Jersey City, NJ
Pop Up Gallery, Moment's Notice, curated by Jo-El Lopez , Newark, NJ
What Do You Have To Say?, Pro Arts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
Power in Fragility, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali business center, Jersey City, NJ
Untitled Group Show, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2015
Curators Choice 2015, curated by Jeanne Brasile, Jersey City Art Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Mostly Drawing, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solo Show, curated by Jo-El Lopez , 85 Market Street, Newark, NJ
A Show of Hands: The Fiber Arts, curated by Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery, Centerbrook, CT
Baker's Dozen, Lawrence Cappiello, Arts Guild, Rahway, NJ
Kinetic Color, Modern Sage, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 2!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2014
Big Small Painting Show, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Curator’s Choice 2014, curated by David Ambrose, Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Interconnections, Tatiana Lopez, CitiLife, Jersey City, NJ
Same Difference, curated by Abby Levine, Willam V. Musto Cultural Center, Union City, NJ
Personal Perspectives, Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
Reflections and Interpretations; works in paint and textile, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali, Jersey City, NJ
Dialogue Between 6 Painters, curated by Vince Salvati, Citilife, Jersey City, NJ
The Glass Chronicles, Solo Show, curated by John Fathom, GP’s Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
ProArts Members Show, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
AWARDS
Gardenship Project, winner of billboard competition 2022
Curators Choice 2015, picked by Jeanne Brasile as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
Curators Choice 2014, picked by David Ambrose as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
ARTICLES and Reviews
Unlikely Stories, "Mylar Art" https://www.unlikelystories.org/content/mylar-art-october-2022 October 8, 2022
Jersey City Times, "JCAST 2022 - Eleven Marvelous Things at Mana Contemporary" https://jcitytimes.com/jcast22-eleven-marvelous-things-at-mana-contemporary/. by Tris McCall. October 7, 2022
Neighborhood Character, "Interview with Mollie Thonneson", by Amy Wilson. August 28, 2022 https://neighborhoodcharacter.substack.com/p/issue-70-mollie-thonnesons-art-makes
Jersey City Times, "Art Review: Cosmic Love". October 18, 2019 https://jcitytimes.com/cosmic-love/
The Source, "Spectrum Gallery Presents First Show of 2015". January 22, 2015.p52
New York Times, Events in New Jersey, image. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/nyregion/events-in-new-jersey-for-april-6-12- 2014.html?_r=0
Hortillosa, Summer D. "Complementary Colors: Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker Are Perfect Match in Art and Love"
Jersey City Independent. February 19, 2013. http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/02/19/complementary-colors-mollie- thonneson-and-alan-walker-are-perfect-match-in-art- and-love/
Hortillosa, Summer D. “NJCU grad’s paintings find ‘gems among city’s chaos’”.
The Jersey Journal. May 5, 2012. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/05/jersey_city_painter_has_show_a.html
Tuchman, Laura J. “A Midsummer Melange of Brightness and Brooding”. The Orange County Register. July 31, 1987. p28
