edward m. o’Hara – Artist Biography
Edward M. O’Hara is an abstract painter based in Highland, NY. His dynamic, multi-layered works explore themes of cosmic origins and the interplay of graphic and abstract forms. Born in New York City, O’Hara studied art at CUNY Queens College and the Art Students League. His works have been showcased in venues such as ArtSpace in New Haven, CT; Roost Arts Hudson Valley in New Paltz, NY; and the Highland Open Studio Tour. Most recently, his solo exhibition, Origins, was presented at Wired Gallery in High Falls, NY, during the spring of 2024.
O’Hara’s work will be featured as one of only two painters in a forthcoming exhibition at the Garner Arts Center in the spring of 2025. Additionally, his paintings and drawings will be exclusively highlighted in STRIDES, a book of poetry by Laurence Carr, published by Lightwood Press.
A dedicated member of 9W Artists, a collective of Hudson Valley painters, O’Hara is committed to fostering artistic collaboration and advancing the visibility of contemporary art. The group’s inaugural exhibition is set to open on January 4, 2025, at The Lace Mill Gallery in Kingston, NY. O’Hara will also return to Wired Gallery in September 2025 as part of a 9W Artists group show.
Professional Biography
Beyond his artistic pursuits, O’Hara is the founder of SME Branding, a globally recognized brand development firm. Over the years, he has partnered with high-profile clients including the New York Yankees, Kentucky Derby, US Olympic Committee, FIFA World Cup, Madison Square Garden, adidas, and the NCAA. As an expert in branding, he has been featured on CBS’s This Morning Saturday, ESPN’s Outside The Lines, CNN’s Money Line, and in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today.
Notable collectors
Pedro Belmar – Owner/CEO at Hotel Belmar – Monteverde, Cost Rica
Paul Bracey – President, Roost Arts Hudson Valley – New Paltz, NY
Kerry Carlson – Senior Vice President of Marketing, Xpressbet (FMR) – Saratoga, NY
Larry Carr – Writer, Poet and Editor of Lightwood Press – Highland NY
Nick Curtola – Executive Chef, The Four Horsemen – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Greg Economou – Co-Founder & CEO, Game1 – Hollywood, CA
Marc Jenkins – CEO, Leap Event Technology – Plano, TX
Robert Kissane – Chairman, CCS Fundraising – New York, NY
Drew Logan – Best Selling Author – Los Angeles, CA
Casey Ramage – SVP Marketing and Partnerships, The Kentucky Derby – Louisville, KY
Gina Soloperto – Behavioral Scientist & Founder, Glue, Inc. – New York, NY