CV
Dee Ruff
Black Cat Mosaics
2152 North Whispering Bells Drive
Tucson, AZ 85745
(770) 712-5505
Druff015@gmail.com
www.BlackCatMosaics.com
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024. CMA2 Mosaic Exhibition. Juried Event. New Zone Gallery, Eugene, Oregon.
2024. Sculpture Tucson Festival Show and Sale, Juried Exhibition, Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Tucson, Arizona.
2024. Solo Visiting Artist Exhibition. Little Gallery, DeGrazia in the Sun Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2023. SCULPT Juried Exhibition. Tucson Jewish Community Center Art Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2023. Color! Exhibition. Juried Exhibition. FOUND:RE Contemporary, Phoenix, Arizona.
2023. Sculpture Festival Show and Sale, Juried Exhibition and Sale, Sculpture Tucson, Tucson Sculpture Park, Tucson, Arizona.
2023. Daydreamin' Juried Exhibition. Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2022. "Meet the Southern Arizona Arts Guild." Juried Exhibition. Tucson Jewish Community Center Art Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2022. The Flinn Foundation Art Program Second Juried Exhibition. A collaboration between The Flinn Foundation and Artlink, Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. Portland on the Park Collection Juried Exhibition, Cycle 10. Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. Open Members Exhibition, Tubac Center of the Arts, Tubac, Arizona.
2022. The Beauty of Color Juried Exhibition, The Overlook at El Conquistador, Tucson, Arizona.
2022. Beauty of the Sonoran Desert Juried Exhibition. Tucson Jewish Community Center Art Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2022. NightVisions 2022 International Juried Exhibition. Coconino Center for the Arts. Flagstaff, Arizona.
2022. "UPCYCLE: Re:cycle. RE:purpose. RE:imagine!” Juried Exhibition. FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel. Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. “Waste to Wonderment” Two-Artist Juried Exhibition. FOUND:RE Contemporary Gallery. Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. The Flinn Foundation Art Program Inaugural Juried Exhibition. A collaboration between The Flinn Foundation and Artlink, Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. Landscape International Juried Online Exhibition. Ceramic & Mosaic Art 2 (CMA2).
2022. 10 x 10 | A Fundraiser. Invitational Fundraising Exhibition. Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2022. Shock of the New West 2022 National Juried Exhibition. Tubac Center of the Arts, Tubac, Arizona.
2022. Shades of Passion Exhibit Juried Exhibition. The Steinfeld Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2021-2022. Small Works Show Juried Exhibition. Untitled Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2021-2022. The Elements: EARTH, Juried Exhibition. Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, Arizona.
2021-2022. Ribbons of White: Lung Cancer Awareness Juried Exhibition, Roche Tissue Diagnostics/Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), Community Gallery, Oro Valley, Arizona.
2021. Featured Guest Artist & Solo Exhibition. April 2-July 30. Andamento Studio & Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland.
2021. Starry, Starry Night National Juried Exhibition. Tubac Center of the Arts, Tubac, Arizona.
2020. “Prompted” Online Art Exhibition. British Association for Modern Mosaic.
2020. “Communicable” Group Art Exhibition in response to Covid-19 Pandemic. William H. Miller Studios & Fine Art, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
2020. “A Silver Lining” Virtual Mosaic Show. Bandon Library Art Gallery, Bandon, Oregon. A virtual online Art Show featuring international mosaic artists.
2019-2020. Society of American Mosaic Artist (SAMA) “100+ Moments in Mosaic” Exhibition. Artwork presented at the Sculpture Objects Functional Art & Design Expo in Chicago, Illinois and on view for sale on the SAMA website. The Exhibition on display at the American Mosaic Summit in May 2020.
2019. ReMAKE Exhibition (RePurpose, ReDesign, ReMake, ReCycle). Central School Project, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019. Colors of Copper. Juried Exhibition. Galleria Coronado, Clifton, Arizona.
2019. Altered Book Exhibition. A Silent Art Auction and Benefit for Copper Queen Library, Central School, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019. Bisbee Arts Commission Grand Opening CIG-Art Program. Bisbee Convention Center, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019. Selected Artworks on Display at Keeling-Schaefer Wine Tasting Room, Willcox Spring Wine Festival, Willcox, Arizona.
2019. Water Art Exhibition. Central School Project, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019. Recycled Art Exhibition. Juried Exhibition. Cox Communications Gallery/Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), Tucson, Arizona.
2019. Healing, Inspiration and Art. Juried Exhibition. Roche Tissue Diagnostics/Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), Community Gallery, Oro Valley, Arizona.
2018. Borderlines Exhibition. Central School Project, Bisbee, Arizona.
2017. Bisbee Arts Commission. Art Exhibition and Silent Auction. Central School Project, Bisbee, Arizona.
2017. Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Art Sale Exhibition. Little 5 Points Center for Arts and Community, Atlanta, Georgia.
2016. Contemporary Mosaic Art Summit (CMA). Juried International Exhibition, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon.
2016. “All Squares.” Juried Exhibition, Grandview Gallery, Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
2016. “A Fractured Perspective,” Juried Mosaic Arts Exhibition. Luna Mosaic Arts, CityArts Factory-Gallery 29, Orlando, Florida.
2016. Public Library Exhibit. Alpha Arts Guild, Fulton County Public Library (Buckhead Branch), Atlanta, Georgia.
2016. “Oh, The Things You’ll See.” Alpha Arts Guild. Juried Exhibition. Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2016. “Celebrate the Old, Bring in the New.” Juried Exhibition. Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2016. “Monthly Juried Art Exhibit.” Juried Exhibition. Grandview Gallery, Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
2016. “It’s About Blooming Time” Garden Art Show. Juried Exhibition, The Art Place-Mt. View, Marietta, Georgia.
2016. “Wet and Wild” Art Show. Juried Exhibition, Grandview Gallery, Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
2016. “Dogwood.” Juried Exhibition. Grandview Gallery, Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
2015. “Wine Walk.” Juried Exhibition. Alpha Arts Guild, Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2015. “Petites Oeuvres.” Juried Exhibition. Alpha Arts Guild, Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2015. “Americana.” Juried Exhibition. Alpha Arts Guild, Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2015. Solo Art Show and Artist Reception. Land of a Thousand Hills. Land of 1000 Hills Coffee Shop, Roswell, Georgia.
2015. “Back to the Garden.” Juried Exhibition. Ciel Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina.
2015. “Trilogy III Art Show.” Juried Exhibition. Red Door Art Gallery, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.
2015. “Trilogy II Art Show.” Juried Exhibition. Red Door Art Gallery, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.
2015.“People, Places & Thingamabobs.” Juried Art Show. Roswell Fine Arts Alliance, Arts Center East in East Roswell Park, Roswell, Georgia.
2015. “Winter Juried Exhibit.” Juried Exhibition. Alpha Arts Guild, Avalon Center, Alpharetta, Georgia.
2015. “Trilogy I Art Show.” Juried Exhibition. Red Door Art Gallery, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.
2014. “ART-Vision-9.” Juried Art Show and Charity Art Auction for Positive Impact, Stone Four Studios at Studioplex, Atlanta, Georgia.
2014. International Mosaic Auction. Doctors Without Borders Charity Online Mosaic Art Auction.
AWARDS
2019. 3rd Place Winner for “Inner Wisdom” mixed media wall sculpture featuring copper patinas & chrysocolla minerals. “7th Annual Colors of Copper” fine arts juried art exhibition, Galleria Coronado, Clifton, Arizona.
2016. 2nd Place Winner for Purple & Green Starburst Waterproof Mosaic. “It’s About Blooming Time” Garden Art Show. Juried Exhibition, The Art Place-Mt. View, Marietta, Georgia.
PROFESSIONAL ART EDUCATION
2023. “Advanced Course in Contemporary Mosaic Technique in with internationally renowned Italian Mosaic Maestro Dino Maccini, in Much, Germany.
2023. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “The Power of One” with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Kelley Knickerbocker.
2023, "Spilimbergo Meets the Desert" with Dagmar Friedrich, Mosaic Artist from Spilimbergo, Italy, in Tucson Arizona.
2022. Glimmer Glass Mosaics “Mixed Media Tapestry Class” with artist Jacqui Ridley in Phoenix, Arizona.
2022. “Painting with Glass” Mosaic Intensive in Afissos, Greece with Mia Tavonatti, painter and mosaic artist.
2022. “Contemporary Spilimbergo Color Technique” with Mosaic Artist from Spilimbergo, Italy, Dagmar Friedrich.
2020. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “Impressionism in Mosaic Art Using Stained Glass” with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Carol Shelkin.
2019. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “Color Theory” with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Anabella Wewer.
2019. “Book Shrine and Assemblage Boxes Workshop,” Copper Queen Library, Bisbee, Arizona, with Bisbee Artist, Tamara Page.
2019. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “Kickassiette” with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Kelley Knickerbocker.
2018. “Creating Patinas” Class, Industrial Metal Supply, Tucson, Arizona.
2018. “River of Smalti” Professional Class, Listowel, Ireland with Belgian mosaic artist, Mireille Swinnen.
2018. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “Classical Andamento in Modern Mosaics” with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Anabella Wewer.
2017. Mosaic Arts Online Professional Course, “Intuitive Andamento Work” with mosaic artist, Rachel Sager.
2017. “Hammer & Hardie Bootcamp” 2-day Professional Workshop, Di Mosaico, Tucson, Arizona, with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Michael Kruzich.
2016. “Micro Mosaic Jewelry” 2-day Professional Workshop, Asheville, North Carolina, with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Margo Anton.
2016. “Bend, Fold, Undulating Substrates” 2-day Professional Workshop, Contemporary Mosaic Art Summit, Ashland, Oregon, with internationally renowned Australian mosaic artist, Marian Shapiro.
2016. “Atmospheric Glazing” Ceramic Art Course, Roswell Art Center West, Roswell, Georgia.
2015. Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Glass and Stone Mosaic Professional Workshop with internationally renowned mosaic artist and author, Sophie Drouin.
2013. Pattern Design Workshop, Ciel Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina with internationally renowned UK artist, innovator, author, teacher, and speaker, Emma Biggs. Also attended “Pattern Now” international mosaic art exhibit, at Ciel Gallery, where Emma Biggs presented a showing of her work and provided educational commentary on works of other international mosaic artists.
2013. Mosaic Color Workshop, Ciel Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina with internationally renowned mosaic artist, Emma Biggs.
2013. “Millefiori Mirrors using Vetro Tessuto” Professional 2-day Workshop with renowned author and professional mosaic artist, Laurel Skye.
2012. “Articulate” mosaic art exhibit, educational lecture/slide show “State of the Art: Contemporary Mosaic,” Ciel Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina, with internationally renowned mosaic artist and author, Sonia King.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
March 2023, Featured International Artist, Mosaic & Glass Magazine, Falkirk, UK
2020-Present. Featured as a “Creator in Bisbee” on DiscoverBisbee.com.
2019-Present. Featured as an Arizona artist on Phoenix Urban Guide. PhoenixUrbanGuide.com.
2019. Presentation on Black Cat Mosaics Contemporary Abstract Mosaic Art. P.O.E. Chapter Meeting, Bisbee, Arizona.
2016. Panel Presentation. Contemporary Mosaic Art (CMA) Summit. Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon.
December 2016. “How to Add Texture to Mosaic Art.” Featured Artist. Mosaic Art Supply Blog, Atlanta, Georgia.
November 2016. “Artist Profile: Dee Ruff.” Featured Artist. Family Life Publications, Canton, Georgia.
2015. Presentation on History of Mosaic Art and Contemporary Mosaic Art. Alpha Arts Guild, Alpharetta, Georgia.
PUBLIC/COLLABORATIVE ART PROJECTS & COMMISSIONS
2020. “Communicable.” A collaborative global art project and mural in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, and the implications of being a creative in the current “normal.” The completed piece on exhibit at William H. Miller Studios and Fine Art, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
2020. Micro mosaic jewelry featuring Venetian Mosaic Golds, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019-Present. Creation of artworks for Bisbee Arts Commission (BAC) Art Machine. Sales benefit the charitable projects of BAC.
2019. Micro mosaic jewelry featuring Venetian Mosaic Golds, Bisbee, Arizona.
2019. Enthusiasm: Sunflower Mosaic Mural at The Studio at Mullany Art Studios, Flint Hill, Virginia.
2018. Mosaic Memory Frame featuring jewelry from client’s mother and glass tesserae.
2018. “Diversity Mural.” Luna Mosaic Arts, Orlando, Florida. A celebration of diversity and memorial for victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, as well as a tribute to all who suffer from discrimination.
2017. Micro mosaic jewelry featuring Venetian Mosaic Golds and Minerals, Bisbee, Arizona.
2016. Large Topiary Panel made of layered stained glass and hand cut stone.
2015. Two Mosaic Memory Frames featuring jewelry from client’s mother and glass tesserae.
2015. Two Natural Stone Mosaic desktop topiary sculptures with handmade ceramic bases.
2015. Bi-Polar Bear, Art Walk for Mental Health Awareness, Hendersonville, North Carolina.
PAST AND PRESENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Southern Arizona Arts Guild
British Association for Modern Mosaic
Contemporary Mosaic Art (CMA2)
Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA)
Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA)
Bisbee Women’s Club Art Chair Auction Artist Participant
Bisbee Central School Project Artist Participant
Atlanta Artists Center (AAC)
Alpha Arts Guild (AAG)
Atlanta Mosaic Art Guild
PRESENT GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Heartworks Gallery, Pearce, Arizona
PAST GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Southern Arizona Arts Guild Gallery, La Encantada, Tucson, Arizona.
Sense of Place Gallery, Bisbee, Arizona.
Belleza Fine Art Gallery, Bisbee, Arizona.
OTHER EDUCATION
2006. National Certification in Therapeutic Massage, Advanced Credential, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
2004-2005. Professional Massage Therapy Certification Program, Baltimore School of Massage (York Campus), York, Pennsylvania.
1988. Master of Social Work (Clinical Program), School of Social Work and Community Planning, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
1985. Bachelor of Science, Psychology (Clinical Studies), Frostburg State College, Frostburg, Maryland.