Raw Form
Celebrating local contemporary women artists.
Raw Form
March 22 - April 19, 2025
Atithi Studios
1020 N Canal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Raw Form is a captivating exhibition showcasing the dynamic works of two Pittsburgh contemporary women artists, Mary Mastren-Williams and Samantha Cortese. The exhibition offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to delve into the vibrant world of expressive painting through their artwork and artwork of other local women artists.
Meet the Artists
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Watercolorist
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Nature's constant dance of creation and transformation ignites a quiet joy within me, a feeling I translate onto through paint. My lifelong passion for artmaking is a sanctuary, a place where I find solace in the beauty and simplicity of nature's forms.I work primarily with watercolors, their unpredictable nature mirroring the wild grace of the natural world. Letting go of control becomes a core element of my process, allowing the blooms and bleeds of color to dictate the final composition.
For Raw Form, I delve deeper into the essence of the feminine. This series explores the idea of femininity through this fluid medium, capturing the organic dance of creation and nurturing embodied by nature.
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Mary holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts, Masters of Science in Art Curriculum K-12 from Edinboro University of PA and is a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certified Art K-12 teacher. Mary’s 18+ years of experience includes showing her work in galleries and businesses in the area including:
Atithi Studios
Manos Gallery
Scotland Yards Greenhouse
Mel's Petit Cafe
Workshop Pittsburgh
Mercyhurst University
Panza Gallery
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Born and raised in Washington, PA, Mary’s passion for art began in high school when she filled her schedule with every art elective allowed. In college, Mary emersed herself in ceramics, drawing, art history, and printmaking. She found her passion for art thrive when she shared her talents and knowledge with others. She has been teaching and making art ever since. In addition to teaching, Mary spends her time in her own studio creating expressive landscape and floral watercolor paintings, coaching other creatives in therapeutic arts, showing her own work in galleries, and spending time with her children, family, and friends in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Abstract Expressionist
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Somewhere in the space between imagining and remembering is where I find my inspiration. My abstract paintings are expressions of what my mind sees when I close my eyes: a flurry of shapes and colors billowing up from the blackness. By painting, I bring those concepts to life. For me, creative expression is the balance of an inspired idea and intuition. So that inspiration is the spark but I must always let go and allow my intuition take over.
Everyday I'm scanning the world for inspiration and beauty in the world I encounter. I draw from those small daily moments as well as past travel memories to bring to life the emotion of those experiences. With each new piece I learn something new about art and myself. I hope that honesty and raw emotion of awe and wonder is what my audience connects with and can relate to. I paint from a place of joy and I want those positive feelings to bleed onto the canvas with each brushstroke.
I believe artistic growth comes from fearlessly experimenting with colors, techniques and by using any tools at my disposal. I typically paint on canvas with acrylics but I love to create on wood panels and utilize other mediums to create thick touchable texture or subtle collaged layers.
When I discovered my passion for painting, I also found my purpose. Despite being a creative, I never felt that I fit into the traditional artist's mold. Now I know that’s because I needed to find my own way; my own artistic process. It was only when I picked up a paintbrush in the long, lonely winter of 2020 that my creativity found its path. As an abstract expressionist I am discovering the beauty of now and sharing that joy in the homes of my collectors.
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Samantha Cortese is a contemporary expressionist in South Western, Pennsylvania. Focusing her attention on abstract expressions and abstract landscapes she uses paint to explore her intuitive art process.
Samantha graduated from University of Pittsburgh. As an emerging artist she entered into the Pittsburgh art scene in late 2020. In less than 18 months her artwork has been exhibited in local galleries and commissioned pieces can be found adorning the walls of Pittsburgh restaurants and homes. She loves to connect clients with pieces for their spaces that speak to their desired ambiance.
Samantha lives in Washington, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children.
March 22
Opening Reception
6pm - 10pm
April 4
Artist Market
Sharpsburg First Friday
6pm - 10 pm
March 22 - April 5
Artist Feature
April 6 - April 19
Artist Feature
April 19
Closing Cocktails Reception
6pm - 10pm