Jo Ophardt was born in Phoenix, Arizona but raised a Buffalo Bills fan by their family- all hailing from western New York. They moved to Portland to pursue painting at The Maine College of Art & Design and found the New England attitude to be quite agreeable. Their practice draws from pop culture iconography and uses swift marks to capture fleeting moments. They are constantly asking “why is this a painting?” and other potentially illuminating but ultimately discouraging questions.
DUO SHOWS
2025 UNE Art Gallery, Biddeford Maine, Right Hook (scheduled)
2024 49 Oak St, Portland Maine, Familiar Faces
GROUP SHOWS
2025 Walpole Ontological Lab and Farm, Walpole Maine, Art Show!
Maine College of Art and Design, Portland Maine, BFA Thesis Exhibition
BUOY Gallery, Kittery Maine, ARTPM
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
2024 Peaks to Portland Race 2.4 mile open water swim race participant, Portland, ME
2024 Persis, Harold and Deborah Bates Arts Initiative Scholar, Maine College of Art, Portland, ME
EDUCATION
2024 Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME
BFA, Painting, expected graduation date: 2025