Steven Pearson

Steven Pearson is Professor of Art and Chair of the Art Department at McDaniel College, where he has taught since 2004. He also serves as Director of the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, supporting student and emerging artists from the Mid-Atlantic region. A first-generation college graduate, Pearson holds an M.F.A. in Painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has built a career bridging studio practice with academic leadership.

• Born in Johnstown, NY
• Served in the U.S. Navy after high school
• M.F.A., Maryland Institute College of Art, 1997
• B.S., College of Saint Rose, 1994
• A.A., Fulton-Montgomery Community College, 1992

His artistic research explores the evolution of abstract and non-objective painting, rooted in narrative through composition, color, and material application. Early work focused on figuration and still life, later evolving into nonobjective abstraction during residencies at the Vermont Studio Center and Ragdale Foundation. Pearson emphasizes the conceptual depth of art, encouraging students to use technical skills to address social, cultural, and political themes.

His recent exhibitions and curated works reflect a sustained engagement with temporality, structure, and artistic identity. Themes across these projects include layered histories, formal abstraction, and the interplay between text and image in drawing. His work is influenced by minimalist and modernist traditions, including artists like Malevich, Reinhardt, and Judd.

• Faculty Creativity Award, McDaniel College (multiple years)
• Individual Artist Grant, Maryland State Arts Council (2010)
• Semifinalist, Bethesda Painting Award (2013)
• Semifinalist, Janet and Walter Sondheim Prize (2012)

Pearson has mentored numerous students, including Kate Cramer and Juliana Stolkovich through a Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research project in 2022. His students have gone on to prestigious art programs such as MICA, PAFA, and SVA. He also teaches foundational courses in drawing and design and presents on contemporary pedagogy. Pearson maintains an active studio practice and continues to exhibit nationally.

He leads the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, curating exhibitions that highlight emerging talent and experimental approaches in contemporary art. His leadership fosters a vibrant artistic community at McDaniel and beyond.