Mara uses pastels and iPad technology to convey her perception of the world. She finds that her art connects her to others and her community. Her artwork has been juried into and exhibited in six museums and 15 galleries across the United States. As a winner of the VSA/Kennedy Center Emerging Young Artists with Disabilities award, her video To Survive toured the US. Mara is the sole proprietor of When Colors Get AlongTM (maraclawson.com). She also works at Art Enables in Washington DC and the Visability ArtLab in Rockville Maryland. Besides creating art, Mara teaches iPad drawing classes and is an invited speaker at schools and for various direct service organizations. Mara illustrated and co-authored the children’s book Adventures of Moses.
Mara is the subject of the documentary film, Living Art, by Ground Media’s director David Rochkind, which is screening in the 2019-2020 ReelAbilities Film Festivals in NYC, Toronto, Cleveland, Houston, and Northern Virginia, as well as the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival in Evanston, Illinois. Living Art is part of an education campaign about disability and inclusion; learn more at livingart.education . Mara is so grateful for David Rochkind and his film that has opened so many opportunities, such as her largest solo exhibition currently at the Bodzin Art Gallery of the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia.
