TAMPA, FL, June 19, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Mary Ellen Christina O'Brien with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. O'Brien celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With more than 70 years of industry experience, Ms. O'Brien is an independent art teacher and eighth grade teacher for children with disabilities. She previously served as an art teacher with the Academy of Holy Names from 1986 to 1994, an art specialist for the City of Tampa, FL, from 1979 to 1981, and an art teacher at the Most Holy Redeemer School from 1971 to 1978. Prior to these appointments, she was an arts and crafts director with the Special Services of the United States Army from 1956 to 1964, and she held the positions of freelance commercial artist for Jordon March from 1955 to 1956, art teacher for Red Feather Agencies from 1955 to 1956, and the arts and crafts director for the Cambridge Council and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America in 1955. Ms. O'Brien began her career as a freelance designer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University from 1954 to 1955.
Before embarking on her professional path, Ms. O'Brien pursued an education at the Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts, earning a Certificate in Arts. She followed this accomplishment in 1958 with coursework at the Craft Students League. In 1959, she continued her academic efforts by completing additional coursework at Paul Puzinas Art Studio. Ms. O'Brien concluded her studies with coursework in 1994 at Penland School of Crafts.
Beyond her responsibilities within the field, Ms. O'Brien has participated in numerous endeavors in her professional circles. From 1981 to 1986, she was active as a teacher working in her private practice. Additionally, she contributed to People to People International as a delegate to Japan to observe art in schools, as a docent at a museum of art from 1974 to 1985 and since 1994, and as a volunteer at the Performing Arts Center. Furthermore, Ms. O'Brien held the role of creative art director for political campaigns for the Democratic Party in Tampa, FL.
Ms. O'Brien has found success with her creative works, having been featured in juried art shows at Sandy Springs Museum, the Kohler Gallery, the Carollwood Cultural Center Gallery, and the Ratner Museum. Involved with the Albuquerque Balloon Museum from 2008 to 2009, she has been exhibited in solo shows at the Realistic Artist Gallery, the Methodist Administration Building, and the Federal Bank Building. Regionally, her work was selected for inclusion at the Eustis Museum, the Deltona Art Center, the St. Joseph's Art Gallery, the Florida Craftsmen Gallery, and the Lacy Gallery. The cover design artist for the Patron Saints in 1959, Ms. O'Brien has been further featured at such esteemed locations as the Busch-Reisinger Museum, the Portland Art Museum, the Lowry Park Outdoor Art Show, and at Paul Puzinas Art Studio with the Art League of Long Island.
In addition to her primary trade, Ms. O'Brien remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to her areas of expertise. She was associated with the National League of American Pen Women as president from 1984 to 1985 as well as the chair of their National Art Competition. Likewise, she was a member of Sick Painters and Alpha Delta Kappa. In light of her exceptional undertakings, Ms. O'Brien has accrued several accolades and honors throughout her impressive career, including the One Woman Show Award from the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative in 2015.
Attributing her success to her mentors, including her high school art teacher, Miss Robinson, Ms. O'Brien personally prioritizes happiness within her work. The highlight of her career has been her work with the military, as she was able to uplift soldiers through means not commonly associated with military service. Looking towards the future, Ms. O'Brien hopes to continue creating and exhibiting art while possibly host a lecture series.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Ms. O'Brien has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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