Who is she?

Gracie Hollington is a contemporary painter and visual artist pursuing a Bachelor of fine arts with a focus on painting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with an expected graduation in the Summer of 2026. Her work examines unconventional beauty, feminine empowerment, and the psychological impact of color, often amplifying unique features of the female body to challenge societal norms and reclaim power.

Hollington has exhibited extensively, including the UAB Annual Juried Student Exhibitions (2023–2025), Gadsden Art Exhibition (2024), and multiple UAB Halloween Art Exhibitions, where she has also served as curator. Her practice spans oil painting, mixed media, and large-scale murals, most notably her 2025 mural for 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Gym in Birmingham, which captures the energy and community of the space.

A 2024 study abroad experience in Wales deepened her understanding of cultural identity and artistic perspective, inspiring research into how contemporary artists navigate and challenge social expectations. Her work combines technical skill, conceptual depth, and community engagement, creating pieces that confront viewers while inviting reflection. By highlighting overlooked details and exploring the female experience, Hollington’s art provokes dialogue, challenges assumptions, and engages with themes of empowerment, identity, and the politics of beauty in contemporary society.

Resume

EDUCATION 

BFA, University of Alabama at Birmingham 

  • Expected Graduation: August, 2026 

 

STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE 

2024          Student at Aberystwyth University, Wales 

  • Immersed in a new culture to grain diverse artistic perspectives, sparking research into reclaiming power through unconventional beauty standards along with understanding how it felt to be an American during this time of politics traveling to other counties. 

 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE 

2024       Co-Curator Halloween Student Exhibition, 501 Building, Birmingham AL 

Co-Curator Duties:  

  • Collaborated with lead curator to research, select, and arrange artworks, helping to shape the exhibition’s narrative and audience experience. 

2025       Mural Painter, 10th Planet Jujitsu, Birmingham AL  

  • Designed and painted a large-scale mural for 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Gym in Birmingham. The work captures the gym’s energy, community, and passion for the sport. This project combined bold imagery with movement to create an engaging focal point for the space. 

 

EXHIBITIONS 

2023 UAB 46th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Abrom-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, Birmingham AL 

UAB Halloween Art Exhibition, Humanities Building, Birmingham, AL 

2024        UAB 47th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Abrom-Engel Institute for the Visual - -     Arts 

 

      STofArt Exhibition, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden AL 

 

      UAB Halloween Art Exhibition, 501 Building, Birmingham AL  

 

2025         48th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Abrom-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts,      -     Birmingham AL 

 

RESEARCH 

2024         Challenging Beauty Standards and Reclaiming Power  

  • Exploring how contemporary artists amplify unique features of the female body and the psychological impact of color to disrupt societal norms and reclaim power 

 

SKILLS 

Painting and Mixed Media 

  • Advanced work on murals, canvas, and experimental mixed-media, with focus on intricate figurative detail, texture, and color exploration 

Curating Art Exhibitions 

  • Organized the show, selecting works and arranging displays to create meaningful viewer experiences. 

Collaboration & Community Engagement 

  • Partnered with peers and local organizations to create projects that highlight shared identity and community spirit. 

Research & Concept Development 

  • Investigated themes and cultural references to develop artworks with strong conceptual depth and relevance.