Kathleen Shaver
Contact Information
Studio & Gallery
Hudson Valley, NY
www.behance.net/KathleenShaver
www.saatchiart.com/shaverkathleen
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmXxfKPE9AY
Please contact artist for purchases, commissions, etc.
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Archived Work
Artist's Biography
Kathleen Shaver is an abstract painter who studied at Moore College of Art & Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) with teachers and mentors including Bill Richards, Chuck Fahlen, and Thomas Chimes. Her work has been included in a major survey of contemporary Philadelphia artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and in exhibits at PAFA, Woodmere Art Museum, the James A. Michener Art Museum, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, and Moore.
In addition to the Rodger LaPelle Galleries and 3rd Street Gallery in Philadelphia, Shaver has exhibited in galleries located in Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Texas. She is the recipient of numerous awards for painting and her work is included in both private and corporate collections.
Shaver is also a graduate of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. In 2011, she completed a permanent installation of 27 paintings, The History of Nursing as Seen Through the Lens of Art, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing to celebrate 125 years of nursing at Penn.
She currently lives and works in the Hudson Valley area of New York.
Artist's Statement
My art is best described as a search for the primal. The Lascaux cave painters, whose images transcend time, culture, and language, inspire me. The ancient and fundamentally human act of applying pigment to a surface is a constant reference for me. I work from a place where intuitive gestures and mark-making record a quest for a pre-linguistic awareness. My paintings, drawings and sculptures reflect an interest in the most elemental creative materials: pigment, stone, wood, paper and fabric. Ancient cave painters sought to grasp the mystery of human existence, one that eludes language or intellectual concepts. Similarly, I seek a unique and fundamentally primal expression of that mystery.
PAINTINGS
Although I work within the tradition of paint on canvas, I am constantly shifting my approach in pursuit of the unexpected. Discovery happens when I paint faster than I can think. I work on multiple pieces at a time, with canvases ranging in size from ten feet to twelve inches. To apply the paint, I use a variety of spatulas, palette knives, rollers, and misshapen old brushes as well as my hands. I let the work dry between sessions. I do not plan my approach. A dynamic of contrasts is present in my work: bold brushwork and calligraphic lines broach softened or smudged areas; a thick paint build up abuts thinly washed or scraped and scratched passages; bright primary colors compete with murky darks. These contrasting elements work to define an active field animated by ambiguous forms. Gesture works with shape to evoke movement and evolution.
SMALL PAINTINGS
Small paintings, executed quickly, are an important part of my studio practice. When I was an art student, a teacher gave me the challenge of producing work on small pieces of canvas in one hour's time. Knowing that I was using disposable canvas scraps and that I could quit after an hour was wonderfully liberating. The stipulations freed me from psychological interferences like intention, subject, technique, finished product, etc. I have learned that working in this impulsive, intuitive, gestural manner allows for surprises and keeps my painting fresh. I have continued this exercise with modifications. Instead of canvas scraps, I work on prepared paper mounted onto boards that I can easily move around the studio. I work on each small painting for only a few minutes at a time, allowing the work to develop over several sessions before reaching a resolution. Finding something new and unexpected in the paint is infinitely more interesting to me than trying to paint what I think I know.
Selected Exhibitions
Solo
2019
Beyond the Paint, ChaShaMa Artist Space, New York, NY
Texture Paintings by Kathleen Shaver, MEBL, New York, NY
New Work: Oil Paintings on Paper, The Burrison Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Paint, Featured Artist at Sofitel Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
2017
New Paintings @ Raw, Reading Art Works, Reading, PA
2016
New Paintings @ Raw, Reading Art Works, Reading, PA
Kathleen Shaver at LaGuardia Galleries of Fine Art, Long Island City, NY
Small Abstractions, Burrison Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
New Works on Paper, The Cosmopolitan Club, Philadelphia, PA
2015
Back to Eden, Works on Paper, The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE
Serial: New Work by Kathleen Shaver, University City Arts League, Philadelphia, PA
New Work @ RAW, Reading Art Works, Reading, PA
The Structure of Chaos, New Paintings in the Hall Gallery, Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Works on Paper, The Burrison Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Recent Paintings @ RAW, Reading Art Works, Reading, PA
2012
Solo Exhibition, Third Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2011
Abstractions, The Burrison Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2004
New Works, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
1992
Stories and Words, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
1991
Passages (Text and Tradition, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
1989
Growing Time, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
Group
2020
On the Surface, Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA
2020 International Juried Show, Bowery Gallery, New York, NY
Juror: Janice Nowinski
Encounters, Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
2019
2019 Juried Alumni Exhibition, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Emily Zilber
100th Birthday Celebration, Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, Woodstock, NY
2018
Bob and Weave, InLiquid @ Archer Law, Philadelphia, PA
2018 Juried Alumni Exhibition, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia
Juror: Molly Dougherty
The 77th Woodmere Annual Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Syd Carpenter
An Expanse of Expressionism: Oil Color and Mixed Media, Alfa Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
Dig, Hamilton Street Gallery, Boundbrook, NJ
155th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings, 2018 Open Juried Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
The Physicality of Painting, InLiquid @ Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Mat Tomezsko
2017
Annual Alumni Exhibition, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Jurors: Tory Savery, Founding Director of Savery Gallery, Philadelphia and Robert Chaney, Director of Curatorial Affairs, ICA, Philadelphia
The 74th Annual Juried Painting Show, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, PA
Juried by Andrea Packard, Direct of List Gallery at Swarthmore College, PA
Mythologies, Ann Street Gallery, Newburgh, NY Curated by Virginia Walsh, Director of Exhibitions, Ann Street Gallery
Annual Spring Gala Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Juror: Ekaterina Popova, artist & publisher, Create! Magazine
Big Idea, invitational exhibit, The Painting Center, New York, NY
Conversations, Legend Galleries, Philadelphia Sculpture exhibition juried by artist Marc Blumthal
2016
Strokes of Genius, Maryland Federation of Art, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD
Juror: Joey P. Manlapez, Professor of Fine Arts, Corcoran College of Art & Design
Lowe House Exhibition, House of Delegates, Annapolis, MD
Juror: Matt Klos, Associate Professor of Humanities and Visual Arts, Anne Arundel Community College, MD
Main Line Art Center Spring Gala Exhibition, Haverford, PA
Juror: Sharon Ewing, Gross McLeaf Gallery, Philadelphia
Abington Art Center Annual Juried Exhibition, Abington, PA
Juror: Leah Modigliani, Assistant Professor and Program Head of the Visual Studies Department at Tyler School of Art
2015
MD Art @ College Park, University of Maryland Gallery, College Park, MD
Juror: Yumi Hogan, Artist, Maryland Institute College of Art Faculty, First Lady of Maryland
All That’s Jazz, Art In City Hall, Philadelphia, PA Juror: Richard J. Watson, artist and Director of Exhibitions at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
72nd Annual Awards Painting Show, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA
Juror: Sharon Ewing, Director, Gross McCleaf Gallery
2014
2014 Annual Juried Exhibition, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA
Juror: Gerard Brown
Small Works Exhibition, Garrison Art Center, Garrison, NY
Jurors: Marilyn Dintenfass, David Provan, and Greg Slick
Creative Tension, an Open Media Exhibition, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown Gallery, NJ
Juror: Maiza Hixson, Gretchen Hupfel Curator of
Contemporary Art at The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, DE
First Street Gallery National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY
Juror: Jed Perl
Artists Against Hunger, an exhibition to benefit the Philadelphia Food Trust, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Moe Brooker
Small… but not Restricted, Moore College of Art and Design Alumni Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Bridgette Mayer, Director, Bridgett Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2013
Prince Street Gallery National Juried Show, Prince Street Gallery, New York, New York
Juror: Lois Dodd, Artist, ME
2013 Annual Juried Show, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA,
Juror’s Choice Award,
Juror: Ross L. Mitchell, Executive Director, Violette de Masia Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
Annual POST Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
The Annex at 3rd Street Gallery, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Artists Against Hunger, an exhibition to benefit the Philadelphia Food Trust, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Moe Brooker
MDArt @College Park: Fine Art by Maryland and Maryland Federation of Art Artists, UMD Gallery, The University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Juror: Dan Mills, Director of Bates College Museum of Arts, ME
Human Rights Art Exhibition, Cooper Center South Texas College Pecan Campus and Gallery 409, Brownsville, TX, Merit Award
Juror: Richard Lubben, Associate Professor of Art, South Texas College, TX
2012
Strokes of Genius, Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD
Juror: Mark Karnes, Maryland Institute College of Art, MD
Annual POST Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Irresistible, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
Prince Street Gallery Fifth National Juried Exhibition Juror: Yvonne Jacquette, Artist, NYC
XL-XS: Extra Large and Extra Small Formats, Maryland Federation of Art National Juried Exhibition, Annapolis, MD
Juror’s Choice Award
Juror: Barry Nemett, Chair of the Painting Department, Maryland Institute College of Art, MD
Ceres Gallery 20th Annual Friends Exhibition, New York, NY
2009
The Language of Landscape, Moore Galleries at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Multiples, Alumnae Exhibition, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
Jurors: Timothy Hawkesworth, Alice Oh, Julia Zagar
Prints and Drawing Exhibition, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
2003
Group Show, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
1996
Alumnae Exhibition, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
1995
55th Annual Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Neal Benezra, Chief Curator, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.
1994
Face to Face: Portraits and Self-Portraits by Moore Alumnae, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
1993
And the Women Danced: Jewish Women’s Spiritual Leadership, Juried Exhibition Sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Studies Project, Borowsky Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Second Prize
Jurors: Nancy Hellebrand, Photographer; Elsa Honig-Fine, Publisher of Women’s Art Journal; Judith Tannenbaum, Associate Director, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania
1992
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 95th Annual Fellowship Exhibition, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
Jurors: Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid, Artists
Native to Neon, Advanta U.S. Artists ‘92, 33rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA
52nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Peter Blume, Director of the Allentown Art Museum
Art of the State, Pennsylvania ’92, Juried Exhibition, Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
1991
Art of the State, Pennsylvania ’91, Juried Exhibition, Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Jurors: Elaine King, Director of Carnegie Mellon Art Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University; Richard Torchia, Director of Levy Gallery, Moore College of Art; Michael W. Schantz, Director of Woodmere Art Museum; Robert D. Bullock, Exhibition Chief, the State Museum of Pennsylvania
1990
Philadelphia Art Now, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Painting and Drawing Jurors: Richard Armstrong, Associate Curator, Whitney Museum of Art, NY; Allan Stone, President, Allan Stone Gallery, NY; and Judith Tannenbaum, Assistant Director, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, PA
165th Annual Exhibition of the National Academy of Design, New York, NY
Art of the State, Pennsylvania ’90, Juried Exhibition, Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Jurors: Anne Fabbri Buera, Art Critic and Director Noyes Museum, NJ; William Zimmer, Art Critic, NYC; Julie Cortney, Curator for the Institute of Contemporary Art, PA; Dr. Sylvia Lahvis, Curator of fine Arts, The State Museum of PA
Painters and Realities, Rodger LaPelle Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 93rd Annual Fellowship Exhibition, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doyelstown, PA
Leona Karp Braverman Award for Painting
Jurors: Lisa Dennison, Associate Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC; Grace Hartigan, Artist, Baltimore, MD
1989
49th Annual Awards Painting Exhibition, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA
Barbara Specker Gorsen Award
Juror: Terrie Frances Sultan, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Art of the State, Pennsylvania ‘89, Juried Exhibition, Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Jurors: Marion Boulton Stroud, Founder and Director of The Fabric Workshop Gallery Museum, Philadelphia, PA; Palo Colombo, Director of Exhibitions, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA; Rachel Selekman, Associate Director of Dolin Maxwell Gallery, NYC
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 92nd Annual Fellowship Exhibition, The American College Gregg Conference Center, Bryn Mawr, PA
Juror: Frank Hyder, Chairman of Fine Arts, Moore College of Art and Design
Group Exhibition, Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY
Group Exhibition, Touchstone Gallery, Washington, D.C.
1988
48th Annual Awards Painting Exhibition, Cheltenham Art Center, Cheltenham, PA
Jurors: Carol Wald, Artist, Detroit, MI; Walter S. Erlebacher, Sculptor, Philadelphia, PA
1987
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 90th Annual Fellowship Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Mary Butler Memorial Award for Painting
Jurors: Linda Bantel, Director of the Museum of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Judith Stein, Associate Curator: Thomas Chimes, Artist, Philadelphia, PA
1985
Group Exhibition, The Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Drawing Competition, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Honorable Mention
Juror: Al Ordover, Director of Freidus Ordover Gallery, Soho, New York, NY
Artist's Bibliography
2018
Bellatoni, Ralph J. "Beneath the surface: Artists seek the deeper truth.", My Central Jersey, March 29
Lear, Len. "Hiller nursing a career as brilliant abstract artist." Chestnut Hill Local, February 8
2017
"Kathleen Shaver ’83 and Big Idea.", Moore College, September 15.
2015
"SERIAL - New Works By Kathleen Shaver Exhibition On View October 23rd-November 27th.", University City Review, October 7
"The Structure of Chaos @ Crane Hall., InLiquid Art + Design
http://www.namta.org/files/public/Palette_10-22-14.pdf. Namta, 23-25.
2014
Lear, Len. “Marking a Living as an Artist.” Chestnut Hill Local, October 9
2012
<a href=“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD53JVkdhUw">“Maryland Federation of Arts (MFA) ‘Strokes of Genius’ Exhibition 2012.”</a> YouTube video, 8:22. Posted by jhop10, November 23.
Nemett, Barry. “Juror’s Statement,” XL-XS, Extra Large & Extra Small Formats: A National Juried Exhibition Catalogue, Maryland Federation of Art. 2-3
2011
“Nursing Is an Art,” UpFront, a bi-annual publication of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Fall, 2011. Inside cover, 82-83
“A Legacy in Images,” Impact, published by Penn Nursing Science, University of Pennsylvania. 14-15 and back cover
“Nursing is an Art,” Celebrating 125 Years of Nursing at Penn, published by Penn Nursing Science, University of Pennsylvania. 1-7
Kerley, Deanna. “Nursing School Celebrates 125 Years.” The Daily Pennsylvanian. October 22.
2004
Strauss, R.B. “Chestnut Hill Artist’s Work Still Powerful After a 10-Year Hiatus." Chestnut Hill Local. February 19.
2003
Wasserman, Burt. “Natural Selection,” Prime Time. December. 6.
2000
Cohen Ragas, Meg. “Urban Renewal.” Philadelphia Magazine, October. 99.
1993
Shapiro, Howard. “Gallery Crawl.” Philadelphia Inquirer, Travel and Leisure. May.
1992
Sozanski, Edward J. “Rodger LaPelle,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23. 22.
Beyer, Rita. “First Fridays at Old City Galleries a New Tradition,” Chestnut Hill Local, October 8. 39-40.
1990
Bellet, Laura G. “Buying Art: for Love or Money?” Personal Finance Quarterly, Summer. 6-8.
Beyer, Rita. “Art Now Project and City’s Role in Art.” Chestnut Hill Local. May 10. 49-57.
Sozanski, Edward J. “Painting In the New Year with Works From Old Ones.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 11. 5-F.
Sozanski, Edward J. “Interaction Between Art and Life.” The Philadelphia Inquirer Weekend. July 13.
Beyer, Rita. “Reality Takes Many Forms In LaPelle Exhibit.” Chestnut Hill Local. January 25. C-1
Csaszar, Tom. <a href=" “Kathleen Shaver at Rodger LaPelle Galleries.” New Art Examiner. November.
1989
Sozanski, Edward J. "From Area Picked for 'Art Now' Showing." The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 23.
Beyer, Rita. “Young Chestnut Hill Artist Showing Works at LaPelle." Chestnut Hill Local. March 16. 41.
Professional Experience
2017
Featured Artist in Residence, Logan Hotel Gallery Space, Philadelphia, PA
Awards
2016
Third Place Award, “Strokes of Genius,” Maryland Federation of Art, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD
Juror: Joey P. Manlapaz, curator, artist, and Associate Faculty, Corcoran College of Art and Design
Honorable Mention, Lowe House Exhibition, Maryland House of Delegates, Annapolis, MD
Juror: Matt Klos, Associate Professor of Humanities and Visual Arts at Anne Arundel Community College, MD
2013
Juror's Choice Award, Abington Art Center Juried Show
Juror: Ross L. Mitchell, Executive Director, Violette de Masia Foundation, PA
Merit Award, Human Rights Art Exhibition, South Texas College
Juror: Richard Lubben, Associate Professor of Art, South Texas College
2012
Outstanding Achievement Award, Alumni Association of the HUP School of Nursing for the creation of The History of Nursing as Seen Through the Lens of Art
Juror's Choice Award, "Strokes of Genius, " Maryland Federation of Art
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Faculty and Alumni Legacy Award for the creation of The History of Nursing as Seen Through the Lens of Art
Juror's Choice Award, "XL-XS Extra Large Extra Small Formats, " Maryland Federation of Art
Juror: Barry Nemett, Chair of the Painting Department, Maryland Institute College of Art, MD
1993
Second Prize, "And the Women Danced: Jewish Women's Spiritual Leadership," Borowsky Gallery
Jurors: Nancy Hellebrand, Photographer; Elsa Honig-Fine, Publisher of Women's Art Journal; Judith Tannenbaum, Associate Director, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
1990
Leona Karp Braverman Award for Painting, Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Jurors: Lisa Dennison, Associate Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC; Grace Hartigan, Artist, Baltimore, MD
1989
Barbara Specker Gorsen Award, 49th Annual Awards Painting Exhibition, Cheltenham Center for the Arts
Juror: Terrie Frances Sultan, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
1988
Purchase Award, Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
1987
Mary Butler Memorial Award in Painting, Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Jurors: Linda Bantel, Director of the Museum of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Judith Stein, Associate Curator, Thomas Chimes, Artist, Philadelphia, PA
1985
Honorable Mention, Philadelphia Drawing Competition
Juror: Al Ordover, Director of Freidus Ordover Gallery, Soho, NY
Commissions
2011
The History of Nursing as Seen Through the Lens of Art, a permanent installation of 27 paintings at the School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
1989
Pink Shoe, Blue Shoe, commissioned by Dr. James Gurr for his wife, Dr. Noreen J. Hickok
Private Collections
Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Park Towne Place Museum District Residences
PNC Bank Collection
South Texas College Human Rights Permanent Art Collection
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Education
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Diploma in Nursing
Moore College of Art & Design
BFA with Honors in Painting
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Continuing Education
Recent Artist Member Mentions on InLiquid
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Kathleen Shaver News
Kathleen Shaver is doing some great things this winter!
Her work is include in Visionary Projects’ virtual exhibition The Era of Change from January 20 – February 20.
She is also joining the international group of artists represented by Galeria Azur in Madrid, and is in their exhibition AESTHETICS from January 29 – March 1.
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AESTHETICS
“Art is above all a state of the soul…” Marc Chagall If… the current, the contemporary, the speed, the vortex … See Full Post
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The Era of Change
Featuring Judi Brice, Mary Oros, Berardino Rubini, Simon Walther, Nae Zerka, Laura Letchinger, Cecile Filipe, Monica Gewurz, Joel Longenecker, Christina … See Full Post
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Shaver & Dirnbach Feature Works on Paper at Medford Arts Center
Kathleen Shaver and Barbara Dirnbach both have works in the Medford Arts Center 2021 Works on Paper online exhibit. The show was juried by artists and author James Toogood and runs from January 8 – February 11, 2021.
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Kathleen Shaver Offers a “Fresh Perspective”
Kathleen Shaver‘s work is included in Fresh Perspectives, an online exhibit hosted by the London Paint Club from January 4 – February 1, 2021.
Feature image: Totem, Kathleen Shaver
