Contemporary artist Michael Ward and his sister Elizabeth Ward, both of Butler, pose with his artwork, "The 36 Year Winter," during the opening of a group show in New York City. The exhibit also included Ward's "Death of the $2 Haircut" and "Coney Island Oasis." The pieces are mixed media but he also works in pastels.

Artist Michael Ward of Butler recently had three paintings displayed in a group show at the Agora Gallery in New York City. His mixed media submissions for the exhibit called "The Dexterity of Form" were "Death of the $2 Haircut," "Coney Island Oasis" and "The 36 Year Winter."

Ward works in mixed media and pastels.

He has lived in Butler his entire life. He describes his artwork as "instinctual" and "primal." According to his artist statement, his "hope for someone seeing it for the first time is that it gives them a sense of déjà vu. The raw power and emotion exhibited in my work is a mirror to reflect the feelings and emotions of the viewer."

His work has been exhibited in shows including the 2008 Hoyt Artists Association Holiday Show and the 2007 and 2008 Hoyt Mid-Atlantic Juried Art Exhibition, both in New Castle; Butler County Community College Student Show in 2005-2008; and "Recent Works by Michael James Ward," a solo exhibition of mixed media works at the Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery at BC3 in 2007.

His awards include the 2008 Hoyt Mid-Atlantic Juried Art Exhibition ¿¿ Merit Award.

While he drew as a child, it wasn't until he took a basic drawing class in college that he rediscovered a passion for art. He credits David Ludwick, a teacher at BC3, for both his encouragement of individuality and freedom for the work he is doing today.

The Butler High School graduate works at Butler Memorial Hospital as a unit clerk.