About the Artist
A family of artists has inspired Jory. Her grandfather, John R. Neill, was an eminent pen-and-ink illustrator, best known for his imaginative work in over 36 volumes of Wizard of Oz books. Jory moved to Italy for 2 years with her family after her father won the Guggenheim Sculpture Award to study in Europe. There, she attended L'Instituto D'Arte in Pietrasanta, Italy, and had her first solo exhibition. It sold out. One of her fondest memories was of learning to paint with pastels with her mother, Annrea Neill, an award-winning painter on Cape Cod.
After returning to the States, Jory studied fine arts at the University of Iowa and later completed her training at The New England School of Art and Design in Boston. Her professional career began in advertising as a layout artist doing marker comps. She quickly progressed to illustrator, graphic designer, art director, and then associate creative director at some of Boston's top ad agencies. Eventually, she realized she was more passionate about the creative development process than supervising others, so she opened her own independent design shop.
Jory is an enthusiastic artist who has exhibited in Boston, New York, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Italy. Her work has been showcased in "Strokes of Genius 8: Exploring Texture!" by North Light Books, ART Tour International 2019 Winter Issue – Editors' Picks, The Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, and Biafarin's International "Children" publication. She has achieved "Master Pastel Painter" status with the International Association of Pastel Societies and is a popular instructor and awards juror.
Currently, she focuses on painting and teaching art. She presently teaches three weekly painting classes. Jory recently achieved one of her lifelong goals of organizing a plein air workshop in Italy. She was thrilled to share the magical Tuscan light with her students, which inspires a painting opportunity everywhere you look. It culminated in a group exhibition at La Sosta Gallery in Camaiore, Italy.
EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
• Dolphin Gallery, "Wellsprint of Inspiration" Solo Exhibition, Hingham, MA 2026
• Pembroke Arts Festival First Place, 2026, 2025, 2024
• Central Massachusetts Pastel Society, Members Show Awards, 2026 & 2025 & Marks of Distinction Award, 2024
• Plymouth Center for the Arts, Members Show, Pastel Award, 2024 & 2025
• Cape Cod Art Center, Impact of Color, First Place, 2025
• Cape Cod Art Center, The National Spring, 1st Place Pastel, & People's Choice Award, 2024
• Pastel Society of Cape Cod, "For Pastels Only" Barbara Stone Award 2025, Jack Richardson Award, 2024 & Chicago Pastel Painters Award, 2023
• Sandwich Arts Alliance "Enlivened Moments" Solo exhibition 2025
• Cape Cod Art Center, The National Spring, 1st Place Pastel, & People's Choice Award, 2024
• Pastel Society of Cape Cod, "For Pastels Only" Barbara Stone Award 2025, Jack Richardson Award, 2024 & Chicago Pastel Painters Award, 2023
• Duxbury Art Complex Museum Winter Juried Show, 2nd place pastel, 2023, 2019 & 2018
• "Visions of Tuscany," by 8 American Female Painters, La Sosta Gallery, Camaiore, Italy, 2021
• Solo exhibition, Flora T. Little Gallery, Bridgewater, MA, 2021
• Biafarin, International "Children" Exhibition and Publication, 2021
• The Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, "Collector's Vision International Art Award" to an artist who has achieved a body of work of major cultural significance, 2021
• American Impressionist Society, 22nd Annual National Juried Exhibition, 2021
• Solo exhibition, "A Myriad of Interests", Cape Cod Cultural Center, Yarmouth, MA, 2021
• North River Arts Society, Award of Excellence, Members Show 2021
• Cape Cod Art Association, Sailboats & Sunsets, Best of Show & 2nd Place, 2020
• Central Mass Pastel Society Marks of Distinction, Great American Artworks Award, 2020
• Harborwalk Gallery, Solo exhibition, Plymouth, MA, 2020
• ART Tour International 2019 Winter Issue, Editors' Picks
• Falmouth Art Center, Summer Juried, "Best Use of Color", 2019
• Uplifting Art 2019 Elevator Door Competition Winner, Cape Cod Cultural Center
• Duxbury Art Complex Museum Winter Juried Show, 2nd Place pastel, 2019 & 2018
• Southeastern Pastel Society 18th International Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA People's Choice Award and Merit Award, 2018
• Pastel Society of America, "Enduring Brilliance "Online Exhibition, 2018
• Pure Color, PSNC Online International Juried Exhibition of Pastel Paintings, 2017
• Solo exhibition, "Viewpoints," Helen Bumpus Gallery, Duxbury, MA, 2017
• CT Pastel Society, Renaissance in Pastel, Wholesale Frame Award, 2016
• Duxbury Art Association, Midsummer Art Show 1st Place, 2016
• Plymouth Center for the Arts, Winter Show, 1st Place & 49th Annual, 2nd Place
• Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, FPO, Pastel Society of NH Award, 2016
• North River Arts Society Festival/Arts, Marian Atkinson Pastel Award, 2016 & 2013
• 28th International Association of Pastel Societies Juried Exhibition, NYC, 2016
• Cape Cod Art Association, All Cape Cod, 1st Place pastel, 2015
• Cape Cod Art Association, Lazy Days of Summer, 1st Place pastel, 2015
• Plymouth Center for the Arts, 48th Annual 22 Show, honorable mention pastel, 2015
• International Association of Pastel Societies, 34th and 26th Exhibitions, Albuquerque, NM, 2019 & 2015
• Massasoit Arts Festival, 3rd place, pastel, 2015
• Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Annual Members Show, Best of show, 2014
• Solo exhibition, Ventress Gallery, Marshfield, MA, 2014
• International Association of Pastel Societies 24th exhibition, Vose Gallery, Boston, 2014
• South Shore Arts Center Art Festival, second Place, pastel, 2014
MEMBERSHIPS
• International Association of Pastel Societies, Juried Master Painter
• Pastel Society of America, Juried Associate Member
• Pastel Painter's Society of Cape Cod, Signature Committee Member, Juried Signature Member, and Juror of Awards
• Cape Cod Art Association, Juried Artist Member
• Plymouth Center for the Arts, Juried Russel Gallery Artist and Juror of Awards
