Title: Associate Professor
Company: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Location: Wilmette, Illinois, United States
Peggy Macnamara, associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in art and education.
Ms. Macnamara’s illustrious career is marked by her long-standing association with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in her home city of Chicago, where she has served as an associate professor since 2001. Her role at this prestigious institution has allowed her to impart her knowledge and passion for art to countless students.
Beyond teaching, Ms. Macnamara has been an artist-in-residence at the Field Museum since 1990, a testament to her unique ability to blend art with science. Her journey with the museum began when she spent a decade drawing there, leading to her artwork being showcased in its gallery and eventually securing a studio space on the building’s third floor. Located in Chicago, the Field Museum offers membership for frequent visitors and one-time passes to visit all of its artwork.
As an artist, Ms. Macnamara has traveled worldwide to paint nature and illustrate conservation efforts alongside the Field Museum. She has also partnered with the University of Chicago Press to facilitate the creation of accessible science books that appeal to art and science enthusiasts.
After initially joining SAIC, Ms. Macnamara expanded her teaching repertoire in 1996 as an adjunct associate professor in visual communication design. Having extended her contributions beyond academia and into publishing, she is the author and artist behind several notable works, including “Painting Wildlife in Watercolor” in 2003, “Architecture by Birds and Insects” in 2008 and “The Art of Migration” in 2013. She released two children’s books, including “Rosie the Tarantula” and another with Northwestern University Press. Ms. Macnamara’s most recent book was released in 2002 and is titled “From the Seashore to the Seafloor.”
Ms. Macnamara has hosted numerous artist workshops nationwide as an esteemed artist. She has also been featured in multiple shows at places like the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Miller Art Museum in Wisconsin. Ms. Macnamara hosts her own website, where visitors can explore her watercolor artistry, for which she is best known. The site is also where customers can purchase her artwork, view past and upcoming events, including solo exhibitions and commissions, and find all her published books.
An academic journey deeply rooted in a strong educational foundation, Ms. Macnamara earned a Bachelor of Arts from Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) in 1969 and a Master of Arts in art history from the University of Chicago in 1970. These academic achievements have shaped her approach to art and education.
Ms. Macnamara reflects on her life’s journey with gratitude for her opportunities to contribute to art and conservation. Her success can be attributed to luck and the support of several influential figures from within the industry, where she was recognized and offered opportunities to contribute to conservation projects through her art. This collaboration led to significant projects, such as painting new species for conservation efforts in Peru and capturing the essence of a pink dolphin in Guyana.
Ms. Macnamara’s work continues to inspire others, bridging the gap between artistic expression and scientific understanding. Looking ahead, she aspires to create an adventurous watercolor book that breaks traditional rules while producing beautiful art. She also aims to inspire retired individuals through teaching at the museum, offering them a form of meditation through painting. Ms. Macnamara’s philosophy emphasizes letting the painting process flow naturally, encouraging creativity and peace amidst life’s challenges.
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