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Maggie Boyajian Courtis

I grew up on a farm in Selma California. As a child I spent evenings creating. Leisure time was drawing, painting, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, embroidering, crocheting, and doing any and all types of crafts available to me. Belonging to 4-H was an important vehicle for learning home arts and public speaking.

My love of the arts never waned. I studied various art forms throughout high school and college and was fascinated as I learned about the history of art throughout the ages. I have continued to study and dabble in a wide range of artistic media throughout my adult life, periodically working professionally in art or design.

In 2020 I began developing Scarab Creative Arts. I envisioned it as a beautiful space, a lovely place where a core group of artists could work together sharing studio space, having storage for their supplies, and having a gift shop to market their creations. Adding a gallery and classroom gave Scarab the ability to bring in more artists from the community to show their work and share their knowledge.

 

I enjoy the wonderful community at Scarab and the opportunity to teach and work on my arts. I continue to learn from the talented artists around me each day and from continuing my art education.

Education

1978

     Bachelors of Arts, Art

     cum laude  

     California State University, Fresno

1983

     Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

     Art Emphasis

     California State University, Fresno

1980 - Present

     Workshops and Continuing Education

          Drawing

          Painting

          Silk Painting 

          Glass

          Ikebana

          Face and Body Painting

          

sea horse silk painting
prismacolor pencil drawing

Professional Experience

1978 - 1980        

     Stained Glass Artisan

     Scarab Glass Works

     Fresno, CA

2000 - 2005

     Interior and Garden Design

     Graphic Art

2008 - 2011

     Visual Arts Director

         Set Design

         Special Effects Makeup

         Costumes  

     Fright Night Scream Park

     Clovis, CA

2011 - 2012

     Visual Arts Director

          Set Design

          Special Effects Makeup

          Costumes

     5th Realm

     Clovis, CA

Face painting, special effect makeup
ceramic pots

Teaching Experience

Ceramic pot with acorn motif

1979 

     Clovis Adult School

          Adult Stained Glass, Children's Art

1986

     Fresno Chaffee Zoo

          Children's Science and Arts

1986

     Fresno Discovery Center

          Children's Science and Arts

1987-1992

     Central Unified Schools

          Junior High School, 5-6th combination

1995-2020

     Fresno County Master Gardeners Association

          Integrated Pest Management

          Landscape Design, Edible Landscaping

          Vegetable Gardening Topics

2021 - present

     Scarab Creative Arts

          Stained Glass

          Ikebana

          Special Effects Makeup

         

Body painting

Memberships

Fresno Art Museum

San Joaquin Clay and Glass Association

San Joaquin Potters Guild

Fresno Fiber Guild

Fowler Ikebana Club

special effects makeup bruise
mixed fruit glass panel

Exhibitions

Clay

Dec., 2023     Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show

July, 2023      Clay Hand Studio, Fresno

                      Atmospheric Firings

Dec., 2022     Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show

             

March, 2022  Scarab Gallery

                      "Sierra" Show (Juried)

Dec, 2021      Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show

2019              Student Exhibition (Juried)                           Fresno City College

                      Art Space Gallery

                      Fresno, CA

 

2014-2015     Exhibiting Artist

                      Echo Studio and Gallery

                      Fresno, CA

2013              Exhibiting Artist

                      Clay Hand Studios Gallery 

                      Fresno, CA

Ikebana

 

May, 2020.    Exhibiting Artist

                 Shin Zin Garden Ikebana Show

May, 2019     Exhibiting Artist

                      Fowler Ikebana Club

                      Spring Ikebana Show

May, 2018     Exhibiting Artist

                      Fowler Ikebana Club

                      Spring Ikebana Show

May, 2017      Exhibiting Artist

                      Fowler Ikebana Club

                      Spring Ikebana Show

Glass

 

April, 2024.    Fresno Arts Council

                      Arts in Agriculture Show

Dec, 2023     Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show  

Dec., 2021    Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show

Photography

March, 2023  Scarab Gallery

                      "Spirit" Show

March, 2022  Scarab Gallery

                      "Joy" Show 

Dec, 2021      Scarab Gallery

                      Scarab Members Show

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