Corridors of Stillness - Italy

Mooneyham Art presents Corridors of Stillness – Italy, a solo exhibition by regional painter Jamie Geragosian, on February 21 from 5–9 p.m. The opening reception is free to the public and will feature live music by Psychedelic Symphony.

Geragosian, a resident artist at both Soulard Art Gallery in St. Louis and Mooneyham Art in Alton, is known for her meditative landscapes in watercolor, gouache, and oil. Her work is rooted in a lifelong practice of quiet observation, an instinct shaped by her grandfather’s frequent reminder to “be still.” As a child, she interpreted the phrase literally, spending long car rides studying the passing scenery and breaking it into shapes and colors. That early habit of stillness became the foundation of her artistic vision.

Born and raised in Breese, Illinois, Geragosian, grew up in a small town surrounded by cornfields and dairy farms. Encouraged by her mother, she spent much of her childhood drawing. At age five, she won her first art competition, and her drawing of Mickey Mouse was featured on the Disney Channel’s Saturday morning programming. She continued to earn recognition throughout her youth, winning contests ranging from Halloween posters to local advertising campaigns to cover art for the Southern Illinois Instructional Television Association (SIITA).

Geragosian originally entered college intending to become an art teacher, but a 2009 oil painting class shifted her trajectory. “That was the moment I realized I wasn’t just studying art… I was a painter.” She changed her major to Fine Arts with an emphasis in Painting and committed to her craft.

Her path has been anything but conventional. “There’s no roadmap for becoming an artist,” she says. “I had to ask myself what I could give the world that no one else could. The answer was myself.” Her paintings reflect that philosophy through color, subject, and the emotional resonance embedded in each scene.

In 2021, Geragosian built a dedicated studio in her backyard and made painting a central part of her life. She continues to seek out landscapes that evoke awe and wonder, often traveling to find new inspiration. In March, she will depart for her 4th three-month full immersion artist residency in Italy, further deepening the connection between her work and the landscapes that inspire it. Additionally, she will bring students with her abroad to experience this immersive adventure.

Corridors of Stillness – Italy showcases her ongoing exploration of light, shadow, and emotional quiet. For Geragosian, painting is both artistic expression and personal refuge. Having lived with anxiety and depression, she describes the act of painting as “a lifeline, a way to escape the darkness and reconnect with the world’s fragile beauty.”

In addition to her gallery work, Geragosian recently opened a new art school in Breese, Illinois, Horizon Line Studios, with her business partner, photographer and educator, Jill Daugherty. Together they offer classes for children and adults and expanding access to creative education in her hometown.

Mooneyham Art is also pleased to inform that Alton local celebrity artist Jeff Vaughn has joined the gallery as a resident artist. Vaughn, known nationally for his photorealistic landscapes, adds significant depth to the gallery’s roster of regional talent.

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Host or Publisher Charles Mooneyham