Laura Wilson is a painter and designer, mother of three daughters, and a founding member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission in Jackson, TN. Her diverse background is the result of a minister’s daughter and woman of faith reclaiming joy from abstraction and finding it in the meeting of spiritual and material existence.
Education
2020-Present, PhD student in Orthodox Studies, Antiochian House of Studies
Education
2020-Present, PhD student in Orthodox Studies, Antiochian House of Studies
2017-2020, MTh in Applied Orthodox Theology, Antiochian House of Studies; Thesis: A Clash of Symbolisms: an Iconic Reading of the Meaning of Gender
2017, Iconography Workshop, Mother Olympia, Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Junction, MI
2017, Iconography Workshop, Mother Olympia, Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Junction, MI
2014, CFCP, [Certified FertilityCare Practitioner] Pope Paul VI Institute, Omaha, NE; Advanced Issues Research: Asceticism in Marriage
2006, Iconography Workshop, Kh. Susan Cushman, St. John Orthodox Church, Memphis, TN
2004, Graduate Assistantship and studies at University of Memphis
2003, BA with honors, in Art, minor in NT Greek, Freed-Hardeman University
Publications
2021, Scripture and Revelation, The Word Magazine
2006, Iconography Workshop, Kh. Susan Cushman, St. John Orthodox Church, Memphis, TN
2004, Graduate Assistantship and studies at University of Memphis
2003, BA with honors, in Art, minor in NT Greek, Freed-Hardeman University
Publications
2021, Scripture and Revelation, The Word Magazine
2021, Symbolic Interpretation and the Logoi in St. Maximus the Confessor, Student Journal, University of Balamand, St.John of Damascus Institute of Theology
2020, Darkness is as Light, Park End books, contributor
2020, Darkness is as Light, Park End books, contributor
2020, A Clash of Symbolisms: an iconic reading of the meaning of gender, MTh Thesis, AHOS
2016-17, recurring comic Draw Near, New Martyr Magazine
2016, Fool Daily, webcomic
2013, Flip Dolls and Other Toys that Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab and Go, Lark Crafts, author/illustrator
2012, Kids Crafternoon Sewing, Hardie Grant, contributor
Work Experience
2022-Present, Teaching Assistant, Antiochian House of Studies
2019, Iconography for Royal Doors at St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission
2011-present, freelance graphic design and art (including print media, web design, and fine art)
2007-present, mother
2005-2006, Adjunct Professor of Art, Freed-Hardeman University, (2D Design, Ancient Art, Painting I)
2004, Graduate Assistantship, University of Memphis
2001-2003, Assistant to the Art Program Director, Kenny Jones
2003, Artist Assistant, Andy Holtin
2000, Theatre Technician and Design Team, Lees McRae Summer Theatre
Exhibitions
2017, Meeting, Solo Exhibit, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2017, JVAA Spring Show, Jackson City Hall
2016, JVAA Fall Show, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2016, JVAA Landscapes, Union University
2015, West Tennessee State Fair
2009, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Juror Andee Rudloff
2004, Lost Aura Exhibit, University of Memphis
2003, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Juror Terry Thacker
2003, Relics, Solo Exhibit, FHU Art Gallery
2002, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Jurors Sergei Shillabeer and Susan Knowles
2001- 2003, Artists of the 21st Century, UT Martin
2001- 2003, Regional Student Invitational, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2003, Fabric Paintings, Solo Exhibit, FHU Art Gallery
Selected Awards
2016-17, recurring comic Draw Near, New Martyr Magazine
2016, Fool Daily, webcomic
2013, Flip Dolls and Other Toys that Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab and Go, Lark Crafts, author/illustrator
2012, Kids Crafternoon Sewing, Hardie Grant, contributor
2022-Present, Teaching Assistant, Antiochian House of Studies
2019, Iconography for Royal Doors at St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission
2011-present, freelance graphic design and art (including print media, web design, and fine art)
2007-present, mother
2005-2006, Adjunct Professor of Art, Freed-Hardeman University, (2D Design, Ancient Art, Painting I)
2004, Graduate Assistantship, University of Memphis
2001-2003, Assistant to the Art Program Director, Kenny Jones
2003, Artist Assistant, Andy Holtin
2000, Theatre Technician and Design Team, Lees McRae Summer Theatre
Exhibitions
2017, Meeting, Solo Exhibit, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2017, JVAA Spring Show, Jackson City Hall
2016, JVAA Fall Show, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2016, JVAA Landscapes, Union University
2015, West Tennessee State Fair
2009, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Juror Andee Rudloff
2004, Lost Aura Exhibit, University of Memphis
2003, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Juror Terry Thacker
2003, Relics, Solo Exhibit, FHU Art Gallery
2002, Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit, Jurors Sergei Shillabeer and Susan Knowles
2001- 2003, Artists of the 21st Century, UT Martin
2001- 2003, Regional Student Invitational, The Ned McWherter Center for the Arts
2003, Fabric Paintings, Solo Exhibit, FHU Art Gallery
Selected Awards
2023, Queen of the Kitchen, West Tennessee State Fair
2021, West Tennessee State Fair (1st place, painted goose egg)
2015, West Tennessee State Fair (1st place, oils-professional; 3rd place watercolor-professional)
Affiliations2003, Fine Art Outstanding Senior Award
2001-3, Distinguished Exhibitor of Art Award,
2001-3, Art Assistantship, Freed-Hardeman University
2023, Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America, Secretary
2021, Orthodox Theological Society of America, provisional associate member
2021, Fellowship of St. Moses the Black, member
2016-present, Jackson Visual Arts Association