Elaine R. Defibaugh
Defibaugh was born in New Castle PA. She lives in Miami, Florida. Defibaugh received her BFA from Texas A&M Commerce, Texas, (1987) and received her MFA from RIT, Rochester, New York, (1989). Defibaugh has exhibited Nationally and Internationally in solo and group exhibitions. She has attended numerous Artist residencies. She is in prestigious collections including the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY (2008), The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, (1996). The Waskowmium, Burlington, Vermont, (2017).
Defibaugh is a mixed media. Her mediums range from painting, photography, collage, murals, installations, printmaking, and furniture design. Elaine’s work is inspired by the transitional world that we experience, particularly the relationship between natural and man-made environments. With the goal to invite viewers into a dimension that goes beyond 2D and into complex 4D worlds that includes visual layers, textural stories, and an exploration of our environment.
Her murals are on view at Chotto Matte Toronto, (2018), and Chotto Matte San Francisco, (2023). She also had an elevator installation titled, “Nite Dive”, at the Moore Bldg., Miami, (2024). Defibaugh has had numerous Solo Exhibitions. Including, Art & Culture Center of Hollywood, “Illuminated Collage”, Hollywood, Florida, (2013). Frost Museum of Science, “Unique Multiples”, Miami, Florida, (2018). Coconut Grove Art Gallery, “Coral on The Verge”-Miami, Florida, (2020).
Defibaugh’s Group Exhibitions, include, SOBRA an Artist Collective, (2025), “Driven Women”, Miramar Cultural Center, (2025), Art & Culture Center Hollywood, “C[H]oral Stories and Collective Actions, Hollywood, Florida, (2022). DORCAM, “Woman of Vision”, Doral, Florida, (2019). “Fresh Out of Storage”, New York, NY, (2016). Recent residencies Defibaugh has been included in are, Oolite Live/Work Miami Beach (2025/2026), Oolite Art Project Space, Coral Gables, FL (2024). ESKFF, Newark, New Jersey, (2018). Deering Estate, Miami, Florida, (2015). Miami Individual Artist Grant, (2024). Artist Access Grant, Fundarte, Miami, Florida, (2021). Defibaugh is a 2x recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Grant, (2013) & (2011). Constance Saltonstall Artist Grant, (2008).
