Maureen Drdak is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and University of the Arts in Philadelphia; additional studies include Temple University, the Barnes Foundation, and research travel in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, India, Nepal and the Himalayas. Her work concerns relate to universal paradigms of mythic archetypes, their capacity for cultural bridging, and their relevance in contemporary space. Recipient of numerous academic and private awards, most recently from H. F. Gerry Lenfest and Eugene V. Thaw for LUNGTA, an interdisciplinary collaborative premiered at University of the Arts in March of 2009. Her work is found in numerous public, private, and university collections within the US and abroad, including the Berman Museum, Yad VaShem in Jerusalem, Lynda and Stuart Resnick, and King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan. Solo exhibitions, museum and academic lecture venues by invitation include, but are not limited to; UArts, PAFA, Rosemont College, Penn State University, West Chester University, Temple University Center for the Humanities, Massachusetts College of Art, Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, Lehigh University, and Charles More & Associates, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Forthcoming exhibits in 2009 are Indigo Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal and Blue Lotus Gallery in Philadelphia.