Madison artist Maria Schirmer loves words. They are the main inspiration behind her prints and general artworks. She also loves engaging members of the public in her art projects and spreading awareness about social justice issues. 

Some of Schirmer's works will be up at Carnelian Art Gallery until the end of August as part of her solo exhibition, "Synchronized Burn." 

At 6 p.m. on Friday, July 11, the night of the July-August show's opening reception, Schirmer is set to deliver a half-hour artist talk regarding her solo show, which includes an interactive piece titled “Murmuring.”

The work is a representation of how large flocks of birds, specifically starlings, create and coordinated almost hypnotizing aerial formations as they fly together in the sky.

This behavior, scientists say, is meant to prevent predators from singling out and attacking a specific bird. Reception visitors will be able to interact with “Murmuring” starting at 6:30 p.m. by designing their own bird-shaped plastic mirror and affixing it to a large batik 8’ by 8’ canvas — becoming part of the larger flock of birds.

Schirmer will also invite reception visitors to reflect on their own contributions to their community, as well as how we might synchronize our actions at a time when many societal structures are “burning,” she said.

"Before colonization, fire was used strategically by indigenous land stewards to support thriving ecosystems,” said Schirmer. “If we take this concept and apply it metaphorically to the political and economic landscape of 2025, What do we want to see burn? And what do we hope grows in its place? How can we synchronize our actions like a flock of murmuring birds?”

Schirmer also enjoys hand-making books, and is in the process of making a deck of tarot cards. She works out of Roundhouse Studios on the north side of Madison. 

Her studio has what she calls a sign press, where she makes "pressure prints." Taking from drawers filled to the brim with wood and metal type fonts of various sizes, Schirmer locks them into place using a framing device. She then uses the press to transfer her pre-made design onto a piece of paper. Her designs are made using oil- and rubber-based ink. She said that her process involves a lot of trial, error, and overall experimentation.  

"I love making art," Schirmier writes on her website. "I love creating things that have never existed before, seeing them come alive in my hands. In 2020, I made a giant leap – I quit my job to go to art school. The world was in chaos - simultaneously reckoning with centuries of systemic racial brutality and a global pandemic - life felt increas-ngly precious and short. The best thing I could do, I realized, was listen to the part of me that was yearning to create art."

"In my first day of class, Professor Courtney Dicmas told us that to illustrate means to illuminate it was as if a mythical and proverbial lightbulb had gone off - I wanted to illustrate. I feel very clear about this calling. But my path here has been meandering, even tumultuous at times; I have pursued understanding how our world hurts and how we can heal, taking a winding path, studying societal problems of race and racial construction at Macalester College, studying interpersonal and community problems and paths to healing at the Social Work and Trauma-Informed Care at UW-Milwaukee, and most recently attuning to my creative self by returning to school to pursue art and storytelling. But because of these experiences, various careers, and several degrees under my belt, I can feel the palpable difference this time; I am centered and energized."

Of having her work displayed at Carnelian Art Gallery, Schirmer said its an honor. She said the show marks a milestone, and even the beginning, of her art career.