Jan Koutsky - Resume
I am an artist, award-winning author & illustrator, and an educator. I taught for over thirty years in an art dept. in higher education. I am pleased to be in my Seattle studio full time now.
Recent Shows & Exhibitions
I show at Ryan James Fine Arts, with the Women Painters of Washington, Patricia Cameron Fine Art, and Northwest Designer Craftsmen A few recent shows:
2024
“Its About Time" Women Painters of Washington Gallery, January-March
“Things in Motion” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, April-June
Ryan James Fine Arts, group show, September
2023
Ryan James Fine Arts, group show, January
“Its the Water” Women Painters of Washington, July - September
“Fresh Perspectives” Gallery Syre, Bellingham, Wa., August - September
2022
“Primary Colors” Women Painters of Washington, Fall 2022
“Backroads” Women Painters of Washington, Summer 2022
“Creative Paradigm” Matzke Fine Art and Sculpture Park, Mar-April 2022
“Flower Power” Women Painters of Washington, Winter 2022
2021
“Dreamscapes” Women Painters of Washington, Fall 2021
“Backstory” Invitational at Matzke Fine Art and Sculpture Park, Oct-Nov 2021
Solo show at Capers in Seattle, May & June 2021 (large show of over 30 pieces)
Open Studio Tour, West Side Artists Studio Tour, Sept. 2021 - helped organize, hosted other artists at my studio
“The Legacy Continues: Empowering Women” Juried show at the Wenatchee Valley Museum, Oct. 2020-Jan 2021
2020
“Innovations” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, August-October 2020
“Outside In” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Jan. - March 2020
“Small Works” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Oct. 1, 2019 - Jan. 3, 2020
2019
Museo Gallery, Langley, Washington: Spring “Garden Show” (group show)
Open Studio Tour, West Side Artists Studio Tour, Sept. 2019 - helped organize, hosted other artists at my studio
“Elemental Rhapsody” American Art Co., 1126 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, Sept. 28 - Nov. 18, 2019
“The Language of Blue” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, July - September, 2019
Washington State Convention Center, Sept. 2018-Jan. 2019
2018 - 2015
Museo Gallery, Langley, Washington Fall 2018 “Gift Show” of smaller works
Bellevue College Gallery, APRIL-May 2017
Koch Gallery, Vashon Island, March 2017
Northwest Designer Craftsmen at Allied Arts Assoc., Richland WA. Aug./Sept. 2016
UW South Lake Union Campus buildings, Fall 2015
Northlight Gallery, Port Townsend, WA. Spring 2015
“Tangible Evidence”, Schack Art Center, Everett, WA, Mar / April 2014
Other Shows:
As an Art Dept. faculty member of South Seattle College I regularly participated in faculty shows:
Faculty Shows every two years at the South Seattle College Gallery: 2013, 2011, 2009, etc.
Works on Paper – Higher Education Art Faculty, Central Washington University
Works on Paper Invitational – Traveling Exhibit hosted by Exhibit Touring Services
Over the years I have been active at the ArtsWest Gallery, having a solo show, two and three person juried exhibits, and annual group shows.
Publications:
I am the author and illustrator of “My Grandma, My Pen Pal” – a children’s picture book published by Boyds Mills Press, 2002
Awards & Grants:
Teacher’s Choice Award: I was honored to receive the “Teacher’s Choice Award” from the International Reading Association for my book “My Grandma, My Pen Pal.”
Federal Title III Grants: In the early 1990’s I was the first faculty member on my campus to take technology into the classroom by creating a series of courses in “Digital Fine Art.” Back in the early 90’s this was no small task. I applied for, and received, several Federal Title III grants to teach myself the new Adobe, Corel and Aldus software products. The grants also paid for the first licenses of software, as well as hardware such as decent computers, scanners, printers, the first digital cameras, etc.
Adobe: I received a large software donation from Adobe’s Philanthropy program, enabling the college to get started with the new courses I was inventing.
Faculty Development Grants: The Seattle College District has a strong Faculty Development Program. Through this program I was able to remain current with emerging technologies such as pod casting, web site building, digital video, animation, online classrooms, etc. I also was asked to help teach my fellow faculty members to enable them to take technology into their classrooms.
“Fund for Excellence Grant” I worked with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to administer a public art project: “Children on Logs” by Phillip Levine, seen along the West Seattle Freeway / Fauntleroy Way as entering West Seattle.
Community Work: I have worked with my community in several capacities:
Organized the “West Seattle Art Hop” studio tour for the West Seattle community featuring 75 artists at 41 locations (2022)
Worked with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to administer a public art project
Served on the board of the West Seattle Cultural Society (now ArtsWest)
Co-chair of the ArtsWest Artists Association
Helped place numerous students in internships
Served as a juror for countless community shows and events
Participated in selecting the first resident artists at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
Served on the South Seattle College Gallery Committee to jury shows, set policy, etc.
Teaching Experience:
I was a member of the Art Faculty at South Seattle College from 1978-2015. I was responsible for:
Planning & implementing the art department schedule and budget
Hiring new faculty, mentoring the new faculty
Coordinating student scholarship competitions
Maintaining a budget for studios, overseeing maintenance of equipment, ordering supplies, etc.
Serving on the campus gallery committee
As mentioned above, applying for / receiving several grants to move the department forward
Collections:
Seattle Public Schools
South Seattle Community College
Numerous Private Collections
Education:
BA in Art, Magna cum Laude, Central Washington University