About

Artist’s Statement

A fascination with color, pattern, and negative space has always been at the heart of my work in paint. 

My technique changes slightly with each piece as different techniques aid me in describing different subjects. I use relief printmaking, patterned underpainting, juxtapose opaque and translucent areas, and often leave the preliminary charcoal sketch showing through as a record of the decisions and possibilities. 

Though increasingly abstract, my work is rooted in storytelling. After many years expressing primarily through narrative paintings focusing on the human figure, my recent work is an account of my interaction with the natural world surrounding my home in the woods. Daily hikes through forest to creek inspire me to record branches, light on water, and skies as I focus on repetition and reflections. As they navigate the delicate balance of abstraction and realism the landscapes become as narrative as the figure paintings. 

 

Judeth Pekala Hawkins :: Visual Artist

Exhibitions, Grants, and Awards

Solo Exhibitions

  • Atwaters, Catonsville, MD
  • Manor Mill Gallery, Monkton, MD (2022)
  • Apple Hill, York, PA (2022)
  • Heart Cafe, Marietta, PA (2018)
  • Creative York Gallery, York, PA  (2017)
  • Cab Gallery, York, PA (2017)
  • Lansdale Hospital/North Penn Art, Lansdale, PA (2016)
  • York Outdoor Country Club, York, PA (2015)
  • Catherine Starr Gallery, Beaufort, SC (2014)
  • North Gallery, Harrisburg, PA (2013)
  • Barnstone Gallery, Phoenixville, PA (2011)
  • The Mantis Collective, Harrisburg, PA (2010)
  • Gallerie Chiz, Pittsburgh, PA (2009)
  • The Mantis Collective, Harrisburg, PA (2008)
  • CityArt, York, PA (2006)
  • Galerie Francoise, Baltimore, MD (2006)
  • Rose Lehrman Art Center, Harrrisburg, PA (2005)
  • Bogigian Gallery, Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA (2005)
  • Perry County Council for the Arts, Newport, PA (2004)
  • Galerie Francoise, Baltimore, MD (2004
  • Friend’s Gallery, York, PA (2003)
  • The Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA (2003)
  • Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA (2002)
  • Yorkarts Gallery, York, PA (2002)
  • Catherine Starr Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (2001)
  • York Art Association, York, PA (2000)
  • Slayton House Gallery, Columbia, MD (2000)

Selected Group Invitational Exhibitions

  • Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD (2025)
  • The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE (2025)
  • Garth Gallery, Columbia, PA (2024)
  • Catherine Starr Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (2023)
  • Gallery 234, Artist’s Choice, York, PA (2023)
  • MH Gallery, Autumn, Marietta, PA (2022
  • Gallery 234, Spring Group Exhibition, York, PA (2020)
  • Gallery 234, Artist’s Choice, York, PA, (2019)
  • Creative York Gallery, Blue, York, PA (2019)
  • Creative York Gallery, Identity, York, PA (2019)
  • Studio Gallery 234, Fall Group Exhibition, York, PA (2018)
  • Creative York, Aquanaut, York, PA (2016)
  • Makers Dozen, York, PA (2015)
  • Keystone Art & Culture Center, Lancaster PA (2014)
  • YorkArts Gallery, Biological Aesthetics, York, PA (2011)
  • York Art Association, Four Women Paint, York, PA (2010)
  • Oriet’s Fine Art, Baltimore, MD (2010)
  • Garth Gallery, Columbia, PA (2010)
  • Oriet’s Fine Art. Baltimore, MD (2009)
  • CityArt, York PA (2008)
  • Mulberry Art Studio, Lancaster, PA (2008)
  • Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Expanding Circles, Wilmington, DE (2007)
  • Red Raven Art Company, Lancaster, PA (2007)
  • Mulberry Art Studio, Women by Women, Lancaster, PA (2007)
  • Main Line Art Center, Living With Art, Haverford, PA (2006)
  • York Art Association, Then and Now, York, PA (2006)
  • CityArt, York, PA (2004)
  • The Whitaker Center for Arts and Sciences, Harrisburg, PA (2004)
  • Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA (2003)
  • Central Market Art Gallery, Lancaster, PA (2003)
  • Lancaster Gallery Walk, Lancaster, PA (2001)
  • York Art Association, York, PA (2000)

Selected Juried Exhibitions

  • Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA (2025)
  • The Delaplaine, Frederick, MD (2025)
  • Art of the State, Harrisburg, PA (2025)
  • Wayne Art Center, Abstraction, Wayne, PA (2023)
  • Rivertown Plein Air, Marietta, PA, (2023)
  • Creative York, York, PA (2023)
  • York Art Association, York, PA (2019)
  • Creative York Gallery, York, PA (2017)
  • York Art Association, York, PA (2017)
  • Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA (2015)
  • Sidetracks Gallery, New Hope, PA (2014)
  • YorkArts Gallery, Yorkfest, York, PA (2010)
  • York Art Association, York, PA (2009)
  • Columbia Art Center, Columbia, MD (2007)
  • Annenburg Conference Center, Philadelphia, PA (2005)
  • YorkArts Gallery, York, PA (2004)
  • State Museum of PA, Art of the State, Harrisburg, PA (2003)
  • Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC (2002)
  • Emotion Pictures, San Francisco, Chicago, New York (2001)
  • State Museum Of PA, Art of the State, Harrisburg, PA (2001)
  • Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA (2000)
  • State Museum of PA, Art of the State, Harrisburg, PA (2000)
  • Howard County Arts Council, Ellicott City, MD (2000)

Grants and Awards

  • First Place, Art of the State,Harrisburg, PA (2025)
  • Honorable Mention, Susquehanna University (2025)
  • Creative Aging, PA Council for the Arts, Mt. Wolf, PA (2017-20)
  • HersheyCenter Stage, Workshops for Cancer Patients, Hershey, PA (2016-20)
  • Creative Aging, PA Council for the Arts, Red Lion, PA (2016-20)
  • Creative Aging, PA Council for the Arts,, Littlestown, PA (2019)
  • Nixon Park, Art in Nature Workshops, York, PA (2019)
  • Award of Excellence, YAA, York, PA (2018)
  • First Place, Creative York, York PA (2016)
  • TAP Institute Consultant, Harrisburg, PA (2016)
  • TAP and LTR Review Panel, PA Council for the Arts (2016)
  • Advocates for Success, Workshops for Young Adults with Autism, Towson, MD (2016)
  • PA Council for the Arts, YARC, York, PA (2016)
  • Award of Excellence, YorkArts Gallery, York, PA (2015)
  • Arts in Ed, PA Council for the Arts, YARC, York, PA (2015)
  • Arts in Ed, PA Council for the Arts, LIUMEP, Gettysburg, PA (2007-15)
  • Arts in Ed, PA Council for the Arts, Fairfield, PA (2014)
  • Arts in Ed, PA Council for the Arts, Glen Rock, PA (2014)
  • TAP Grant, PA Council for the Arts, Red Lion, PA (2011)
  • Arts in Ed. Perry Co. Council for the Arts, Perry County, PA (2004,9-10)
  • TAP Grant, PA Council for the Arts, Red Lion, PA (2010)
  • Arts in Ed. PA Council for the Arts, Charles X. Carlson Trust, Quarryville, PA (2006-10)
  • TAP Grant, PA Council for the Arts, Harrisburg, PA (2009)
  • Arts in Ed, PA Council for the Arts, Middleburg, PA (2008)
  • Arts in Ed. PA Council for the Arts, Millerstown, PA (2006)
  • Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA (2006)
  • Art Endures Award, Art Endures Exhibit, Haverford, PA (2006)
  • Award of Excellence, Yorkarts Gallery, York, PA, Juror: Amy Eva Raehse, Goya Contemporary (2005)
  • Award of Excellence, Yorkarts Gallery, York, PA, Juror: Kimberly Camp,The Barnes Foundation (2004)
  • Honorable Mention, Lancaster, PA, Juror: N. Lee Stevens, State Museum of PA (2003)
  • Award of Excellence, Yorkarts Gallery, York, PA, Juror: Amy Schlegel, Philadephia Art Alliance (2002)
  • First Place Sculpture, York Art Association, York, PA (2001)
  • Best in Show, Yorkfest, York, PA, Juror: Mark Ward, American Visionary Art Museum (2001)

Bibliograph

  • Women Artist Datebook, contributor, Syracuse Cultural Workers (2005)
  • Seasons of the Spirit, contributor, Publisher: Wood Lake Books, Inc. (2004)
  • Montgomery Herald, Tammy Dunn, May 19, 2004
  • Baltimore Sun, Making Art of Memories, Glenn McNatt, May 18, 2004
  • Baltimore City Paper, Judeth Pekala Hawkins, Mike Giuliano April 2, 2004
  • York Daily Record, Artist Paints a Journal of Life, Joseph Maldonado, March 14, 2003
  • Intelligencer Journal, Works in Process, Carla Di Fonzo, January 3, 2003

Commissions

Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA (2026)

Penn State Health, Hershey, PA (2025)

Yorktowne Hotel, York, PA (2022)