Short Biography

Betty Collings, born 1934 in New Zealand. Trained as teacher. Emigrated to the U.S. with husband and infants in 1962. Self taught ceramics. 1964 serious studio work begins followed by co-founding co-operative gallery for craft. Moved to Ohio in 1966. Joined The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Fine Arts as Continuing Education student in l966, graduating BFA then MFA in 1974.

Upon graduation, invited to direct what became The OSU Gallery of Fine Art, initiated a program of cutting edge contemporary art and established OSU's Contemporary Collection while pursuing extensive studio work with associated exhibits. Regional group shows included "10 from the File" Columbus Museum of Art, curated by contemporary critic, Lawrence Alloway, a two-person exhibition at Kent State University, and "Generative Systems" exhibition- symposium at Wright State University. Solo exhibitions included Purdue University, Dennison University, The New Gallery, Cleveland, and Bertha Urdang Gallery, New York.

In 1981 began decade of freelance work including curating exhibitions on behalf of Wright State University, Bard College and University of Virginia. Also writing for Dialogue and Arts Magazine. Intensive studio activity with solo exhibitions of sculpture and related drawings included three at Bertha Urdang Gallery, several in Ohio. Major piece created for exhibit in Concourse Gallery of City University of New York. Notable group exhibitions included "Preparation and Proposition" Islip Museum, Long Island, "Drawing from New York", Sydney, Australia, "Triple Helix", Ohio University at Lancaster. Also those of The Artists' Organization (TAO), the society formed to initiate interesting alternative arts programming, for which she was founding President.

Subsequent travel to The People's Republic of China (PRC) and New Zealand lecturing on Contemporary Art and presenting solo exhibition in Kiev, Ukraine. Becoming Director of TAO programs, able to initiate international exchanges of artists and artwork from both PRC and Ukraine, funded by the Ohio Arts Council and participating Universities. Most recently curated and managed major permanent installation of Tokyo artist, Akio Hizume's "Democracy Steps" in Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park. Citations received by TAO and by Collings from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for whom this appropriately sited artwork was a new and rewarding experience.

During 90's artwork hampered by family crisis, decision to spend 3 months a year in New Zealand and moving the main studio from warehouse space used for 23 years to new construction at home. After much effort Ohio studio has an exhibition space with indoor and outdoor working areas. Here the present concentration is on developing selected inflatable images into bronze and on painting. The New Zealand studio is equipped for work with clay.