Michael Ryan grew up in Chicago, where he still has family and friends. His education includes Associates in Applied Science (Aerospace Technology) and Bachelor of Applied Arts (Occupational Education, Texas State University. He went on to achieve a successful career in the U. S. Air Force. After his retirement from the Air Force his focused changed and he became a Youth Corrections Counselor with the California Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice Division. He has spent fifteen years working with incarcerated youth. Michael’s travels have taken him to several unusual places around the world, whether as a member of the Air Force or as an adventure seeker. Michael Ryan is a cancer survivor and enjoys sharing each day with others. He spends most of his time now traveling, doing community service in Orangevale and Folsom, Ca. and spending time with his family and friends.
He has had work displayed in businesses, restaurants and several art galleries in the Sacramento, California area. They include the Chroma Gallery, Fair Oaks, Ca. the 404 Gallery, Roseville, Ca. the Frame Stop and Gallery, Citrus Heights, Ca. The Artists Collaborative, Sacramento, Ca. American Visions Art Gallery, Historic Folsom, Ca. and the Wine Gallery, Folsom, Ca. He has had a one-person show in Frankfort, IL. (Suburb of Chicago, Nov. ’07) and his work has been selected for auction by KVIE, public television, four of the last five years.
Michael took second place, overall, at an art show sponsored by American Visions Gallery, Folsom, Ca. and a first place in photography at the Eldorado Hills Annual Membership Show, Eldorado Hills, Ca. He has had his work juried into the Ansel Adams Exhibition-2008, Chico, Ca. He has been juried into the California State Fair, for the second consecutive year and was awarded an Achievement of Merit. He also has recently had two second place awards, one first place and a best in show at the San Joaquin County Fair,. Most recently, Michael won first place in the landscape category at the Lodi Community Art Center’s “Photography Show 2013”. Michael has been a board member of the famed Chroma Gallery in Fair Oaks, Ca. as well as the Folsom Art Association, Folsom, Ca. He was a charter member of the Sutter Street Artists of Folsom Ca. Most recently he has become part of the Gold Country Artists Gallery in Placerville, Ca. This prestigious gallery is the oldest in El Dorado County, Ca. Michael is honored when someone enjoys his work enough to place it in his or her home or office.