About
I was born and raised on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. These early experiences form the core of my work. The outdoors continually beckon - then as well as now. Gardening is an important source for my work. I maintain a garden in NYC as well as one in central Wisconsin.
My work is created through a fluid process. Paint is thinned and applied as a watercolorist might run a wet wash - thinned pigment dispersed in a turpentine wash. I work in multiple layers, producing a deep, rich, luminous surface. Paint dribbles down the sides of the stretcher as I work. This dripping records the layering process and reminds me of the changing states of matter. I value the high degree of contrast these sides provide - the drips complement the careful crafting of the surface. I have never framed my paintings.
Resume
Karen Fitzgerald’s work has been widely exhibited in the United States. The Queens Museum of Art, Islip Art Museum, Rahr-West Museum, Madison Art Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the University of Arizona – Tucson and the United Nations in NY have featured her work in their active exhibition schedules. A recipient of two grants from the Queens Community Arts Fund, she has also received funds from the Greenwall Foundation and the Women’s Studio Workshop. Her work is in the Spencer Collection of the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Union Gas collection, the Rienhart Collection of Germany, the Museum of New Art in Detroit and many other public and private collections.
In 2005, she completed a commission for the New York City School Construction Authority. It consisted of 28 permanent panels at PS 239 in Queens. In 2003, she completed a 29’ x 56’ exterior mural for public school 193 in Whitestone, Queens. She has also completed collaborative commissions with composers Charles Griffin and Carl MaultsBy. She has provided comprehensive school reform services for 3 NYC public schools as a coach for Different Ways of Knowing. As project director for ArtistCares, she oversaw the development and implementation of programming in response to 9/11 in NYC, from 2001-2004.
She has been a teaching artist for 22 years and continues to provide consultations for a wide range of institutions on a variety of educational issues. She has taught at St. John’s University, Iona College and worked as education director for the Queens Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded an MFA from Hunter College in 1985, and a M.Ed. from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1990. Karen’s work can be seen at: www.Fitzgeraldart.com. She lives with her husband and three sons in Woodside, New York.
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Brooklyn Union Gas Co., NYC
Maple Grove Cemetery, Inc.
Museum of New Art, MI
New York City Department of Education, PS 193Q
New York City Department of Education, PS 239Q
New York Public Library
Sentry Insurance, Inc., WI
St. Mary’s Church, WI
SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Anthony Kirk, NY
Anthony Scaglione, NYC
Cheryl Cohen, NYC
Fran Epstein, NY
Gabriella DePonte, NJ
Gordon E. Smith, NYC
Greg McCaslin, NYC
Heather Lester, NYC
Jessie Prichard Hunter, NY
Kathy Halley, WI
M. Trika Smith-Burke, NYC
Mr. & Mrs. Carl Accetura, UT
Mr. & Mrs. John Sanderson, NJ
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Easton, NYC
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Engelbert, WI
Mr. & Mrs. Venny Fuentes, NJ
Pasquale Palmieri, NYC
S. Maia McNamara, WI
Susan Sussman, NYC
Warren J. Holmes, Washington, DC
Wolfgang Reinhart, Germany
COMMISSIONS
2005: Guardian Gargoyle for Peace
Kew Gardens Community, Queens, NYC, collaborative mosaic sculpture, at Maple Grove Cemetery, 5’ x 4.5’ x 4.5’, $25,000 budget. Parents, students, and community members collaboratively designed and created the sculpture, each family group created a mosaic symbolizing peace and installed it on the sculpture. 3 year project; funded by Center for Arts Education, New York State Assembly and New York City Council.
2004/05: Animals and Gates and Doorways
Public Art for Public Schools, NYC School Construction Authority, PS 239, NYC, 28 tondo panels ranging from 12” – 48” in diameter, $48,000 budget; project was produced as a collaboration with 120 Third grade students; they participated in the design and fabrication of the project. Panels depict animals they studied and architectural details of their neighborhood
2003: Discovery of Dreams
CITYarts, 28’ x 56’ exterior mural, NYC, $35,000 budget; collaboration with students, parents and community of PS 193. Students provided input for design, based on poetry by Mary Oliver and Richard Lewis, as well as assisting in production of the mural.
2000: Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
two 60” panels; Visions of the Future. New work commissioned for a special exhibit.
1998: McClancy Memorial High School
NYC, edition of solar plate etching of physical plant commissioned for their “Cor Jesus” service award.
GRANTS and AWARDS
2007: Individual Artist’s Initiative, Queens Council on the Arts
2006: Edwin Abbey Mural Workshop Fellowship, National Academy Museum and School, NYC paid fellowship
2000: Individual Artist’s Award, Queens Council on the Arts
1999: Collaborative Project Grant, Greenwall Foundation
1999: “21 for 25,” Artist’s Award, Women’s Studio Workshop
1998: Individual Artist’s Award, Queens Council on the Arts
1988: Special Editions Grant, Lower East Side Printshop, NYC
1998: Artsline Award, AT&T, NYC
1978: Purchase Award, Edna Carlston Gallery: Sentry Insurance
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2009 “Earth, Fire and Light,” Bridgeport Museum and Discovery Center, curated by Wendy Kelly
2006: “Reverence,” Azarian-McCullough Art Gallery, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY
2006: “Eye of the Sparrow,” Collaborative premiere, St. Bartholmew’s Chuch, NYC, with Carl MaultsBy
2004: “Karen Fitzgerald,” Omega Institute, Reception Gallery, Rhinebeck, NY
2001: “Orbs,” Show Walls, Durst Organization Sponsor, curated by L. L. Powers, NYC
2000: “Shifting Coastlines,” Collaborative premiere, Steinway Reformed Church, Astoria, NY, with Goliard Ensemble, Inc.
1999: “Gardens of Light,” Center for Visual Art, Wausau, WI
1995: “New Prints and Drawings,” The Interchurch Center, NYC
1994: “Garden’s Edge,” Sunnen Gallery, Soho, NYC
“Journey,” Jamaica Arts Center, NYC
1993: “Beauty and the Beast,” Westchester Art Workshop, White Plains, NY
1992: “New Paintings,” Daniel Quinn Gallery, NYC
1990: “Homologies,” Macy Gallery, NYC
1980: “Karen Fitzgerald,” Sight 225 Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
SELECTED TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2009 “LUXE”, Art at First, 12 West 12 St., NYC, curated by Barbara Sherman
2005: “Turning / Returning: Contemporary Meditative Painting”, Simon Liu Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, curated by Leon Kalas
2003-04: ”Heaven and Earth,” Cleary Gottlieb, curated by Elizabeth Levine, NYC
1999: “Into Light,” Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, WI
1998: “Paintings,” Nese Alpan Gallery, Roslyn, NY
1997: “Into Light,” Rotunda Gallery, University of Arizona - Tucson
1993: “Metaphoric Landscape,” John Jay College Art Gallery, NYC
1980: “Two at Carrol College,” Union Gallery, Carrol College, WI
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009“Out of Square,” Mikhail Zakin Gallery, Demarest, NJ, curated by Rachael Faillace.
“Change,” Flushing Town Hall, NYC, with Long Island City Artists, Inc.
“TRANS-POSITIOINS Along the Queensboro Bridge,” Henry DeFord III Gallery, NY, NY, curated by J.Tolnick Champa
2008 “XHIBIT,” Inaugural exhibition, Preston Contemporary Art Center, Mesilla, NM
2007 “Gossip Girl,” Warner Brothers Television production, artwork feature on set
2006
“Essence,” Gallery 129, Montclair, NJ 3 artists curated by Chryssa Saj
“2006 Fellowship Recipients exhibit of Mural Designs,” The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, NYC
“Long Island City Artists, 20 Years”, Queensborough Community College, curated by Faustino Quintonello
“Tondi,” curated by Michael Amy, Wooster Art Space, NYC
2005
“Breath of Light,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY
“The Solar Plate Revolution in El Barrio,” curated by Julio Valdez at Taller Boricua Gallery, NYC
“Symbolism in Abstracts,” curated by Leon Nicholas Kalas at Simon Liu Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“In the Round: Celebration of the Circular Format,” curated by Jari Chevalier, Arts Council of Greater New Haven, CT
2004
Omega Institute, Ram Dass Library, Rhinebeck, NY
“Curator’s Choice,” Stefan Stux Gallery, Chelsea, NYC
2003
“CAVE,” Henry Street Settlement for the Arts, NYC
“I am a Scientist,” Greene County Council on the Arts, Catskill, NY
“Seasons in Paint,” curated by Mary Murray, Kirkland Art Center, Utica, NY
“Healing Power of Art,” 4 person exhibition, curated by Renee Phillips, 850 Third Ave., NYC
“Nature Hanging by a Thread,” curated by Robyn Love and Eva Melas, Queens Theater in the Park, NYC
“Members Exhibition,” Langston Hughes Cultural Center, curated by Rudy Shepherd for Queens Council on the Arts
2002
“Paint,” curated by Robyn Love, Queens Theater in the Park, NYC
“Centering: Ancient & Contemporary Expressions of Sacred Art,” curator D. Anderson, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, CA
“Concerning Nature,” curated by Louise Weinberg, Flushing Town Hall, NYC
2002 “Echoes of a New Millennium,” curated by Robyn Love, Queens Council on the Arts, Queens Theater in the Park, NYC
2001
“Art Frenzy,”Open Studios Tour sponsored by the Queens Council on the Arts & L.I.C.B.D.C., NYC
“JCAL at ABC,” ABC Corporate Gallery, curated by Karina Skvirsky, NYC
“NURTUREart at Pfizer,” curated by NURTUREart Non-Profit, Inc., Pfizer Inc. World Headquarters, NYC
2000
“Contemporary Art Show 2000,” KeySpan Coporate Head Quarters, curated by Keisha Hayle of Kish Galleries, NYC
“Visions of the Future, II,” Jamaica Center for Art & Learning, curated by Karina Skvirsky
“Eden Revisited: Considering the Garden,” Islip Art Museum, curated by Rhonda Cooper
1999
“Landscape: Urban to Outback,” Queens Council on the Arts, Oak Ridge, NYC
“Recent Works: JCAL Faculty & Staff,” Jamaica Center for Art & Learning, NYC
1998
“Celebrating Diversity,” Nese Alpan Gallery, NY
“Album,” Anniversary Exhibition, Lower East Side Printshop,” Chelsea Art Building, NYC
“From Our Side of the River,” Henry De Ford Gallery at Citibank, NYC
“The Beauty of Form,” Manhattan Transfer Productions, Inc., 545 5th Ave., NYC
“Paintings, Poems, Prayers,” Centre Space, Easton, PA
“Concerns,” Charles Chamot Gallery, NJ
“Monotypes From the 12th Street Studio,” La Guardia Community College, NYC
1997
“Metaphysical Paintings,” The United Nations, three person exhibition, NYC
“Distilling Nature,” Paramount Center for the Arts, Peekskill, NY, curated by Francesca Samsel
“28 Long Island Artists Recent Works,” Nese Alpan Gallery, Roslyn, NY
“Disparate Landscapes,” Gensler Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide, Santa Monica, CA
“Art Exhibition,” Queens Theatre in the Park, NYC
“Small Works on a Grand Scale,” Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts, NYC
1996
“Hallelujah, ‘96,” Ceres Gallery, Soho, NYC
“Traditions: Culture/Society/Family,” Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts, NYC
“Flowers on Grand,” Chuck Levitan Gallery, Soho, NYC, curated by Elaine Wechsler
“East Bank Artists,” Citicorp Gallery, NYC
“Harmony of Surface and Form,” Reggio Gallery, NYC
1995
“Live / Work in Queens,” The Queens Museum of Art, catalogue, curated by Christina Yang
“Select Paintings and Sculpture,” The Pleiades Gallery, Soho, NYC, curated by Charlotta Kotik
1994
“Thick and Thin,” Islip Art Museum, Islip, NY, curated by Karen Shaw
“Art in Residence,” Tribeca Tower, NYC, sponsored by Art Initiatives
“Alumni Art Exhibition,” Edna Carlston Gallery, University of WI – Stevens Point, WI
1992
“Inaugural Exhibition,” The Community Gallery, Brooklyn, Union Gas Co., Brooklyn, NYC
1991
“Prints and Books From the Lower East Side Printshop,” Henry Street Settlement, NYC
1990
“Selections,” Center For Book Arts, Soho, NYC
1989
“The Print Show,” Dome Gallery, Soho, NYC
“Special Editions From The Lower East Side Printshop,” Henry Street Settlement, NYC
“The Printshop Comes of Age:: The L.E.S.P.’s 21st Anniversary,” La Mama Gallery, NYC
1988
“Prints,” Alice Simsar Gallery, Detroit, MI
1987
“Annual Juried Exhibition,” The Queens Museum of Art, NYC, catalogue, curated by Susana Toruella Leval
“Faculty Exhibition,” Jamaica Arts Center, NYC
1986
“Group Exhibition,” Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts, NYC
1985
“Two in New York,” Hunter Gallery, Hunter College, NYC
1981
“Wisconsin painters and Sculptors Annual,” Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, WI
“Men and Women in the Arts IV,” West Bend Gallery of Fine Art, WI
“Group Exhibition,” Sight 225 Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
1980
“Wisconsin Invitational,” Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc, WI
“Wisconsin Biennial,” Madison Arts Center, WI
1979
“Artists’ Studios Walking Tour,” Milwaukee, WI
“Watercolor Wisconsin,” Woostum Museum, Racine, WI
“Group Exhibition,” Video Fine Arts Galleries, University of WI - Milwaukee
1978
“Invitational Group Show,” Edna Carlston Gallery, Stevens Point, WI
EDUCATION
M.Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University, 1990
M.F.A., Hunter College, 1985
B.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1979
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Conscious Design Magazine, May, 2008; February, 2009; “Radically Round,” and “The Stillness of Painting,” by Karen Fitzgerald, http://www.consciousdesignmagazine.com/AR08/ar08MaySGFitzgeraldArt.htm
Queens Courier, May 10, 2007 “Nature is her Palette,” by Jessica Lyons, What’s the Buzz, p. 21.
Channel 35, 27, New York, “The New Yorkers,” interview, April, 2007
QPTV, December 28, 2006, “Art and Money,” hosted by Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Queens Council on the Arts, channel 56.
Queens Tribune, September 1, 2006, “Karen Fitzgerald,” by Theresa Juva, p. 36.
WNYU radio, 89.1 FM, January 31, 2006, 7:30 p.m., “Cityscapes,” interviewed and produced by Darrel Levy.
The New York Times, January 8, 2006,“With a Little Artistic License,” by Helen Harrison, Section 14, p.8.
The New York Times, May 1, 2005,“Hunting in the Wilds of Imagination,” by Helen Harrison, Section 14, p.10.
NYFA Quarterly, New York Foundation for the Arts, Fall, 2004, Chalkboard section; Teaching Artists Initiative Report.
LitPot (magazine), California, September, 2003, pp. 138-145.
Calyx, (magazine), Oregon, Summer 2003, Vol.21, #2; artworks featured.
Queens Chronicle Newspapers, June 19, 2003, “Whitestone Students Discover the Public Mural Artists Within, by Keach Hagey, p.12.
Times Ledger Newspapers, March 20, 2003, “Artist for a Community,” by Remy Shaber, p. E1: (distribution in 14 papers.)
Association of Teaching Artists, Spring, 2003, “Participant Driven Learning”, by Karen Fitzgerald, www.Teaching Artists.com
New York Newsday, January 3,2002, “Trying to Heal With Art,” by Karin Halperin, p. A31.
Inner Realm Magazine, June, 2001, cover feature.
National Public Radio, May 22, 2001, “Karen Fitzgerald and Susan Schear,” Arts & Culture in the Marketplace with Beatrice Black.
Printmaking in the Sun, Watson-Guptil, NYC, 2001, by Dan Welden & Pauline Muir, p.114, artwork feature.
Times Newsweekly Ridgewood, March 1, 2001, “Manhattan Space Displays Works by a Queens Artist,” by Rob MacKay, p.
City Pages, (Wausau, WI) August 5-12, 1999, “Secret Gardens,” by Charles Patten.
The Wausau Daily Herald, July 29, 1999, “Metaphorical landscapes,” by Joy Marquardt.
The Queens Courier, Nov. 26, 1998, “A New Leaf in the Textbooks: Transforming Schools Through Art,” by T. Hartman, pp. 3, 45.
Newsday, July 26, 1998, “Art From 12th Street Circling LaGuardia,” by Carl MacGowan, p. G12.
The Western Queens Tribune, June 19, 1998, “Poly-esthetic Monotypes,” p. 16
The New York Times, February 8, 1998, “Karen Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Sloan Tyler,” by Phyllis Braff, S.14, p.14.
The Arizona Daily Star, June 13, ‘97, “Pinhole Photos, Photogravure Etchings on View,” by Pamela Portwood, p. D-10.
Zum, (magazine), June, 1997 + “In / Sight,” by Karen Fitzgerald, p. 20. (A regular, monthly column.)
Southwest Art, May, 1997, “Museum Notes,” by Margaret Brown, p. 58.
Tucson Citizen, May 8, 1997, “Camera Artists Work in Light,” by Kathleen Allen, p. 15.
Newsday, December 29, 1996, “It Ain’t Just Painters,” by Tina Morales, p. E10.
The New York Times, September 1, 1995, “Depicting the Multiculturalism of Queens,” by Pepe Karmel, p. C23.
The Queens Tribune, September 7-13, 1995, “Museum Highlights Artists Who Live and Work in Queens,” Annette Deinzer, p. 21.
Live / Work in Queens, Catalogue, 1995, Queens Museum of Art, by Christina Yang, curator: “Karen Fitzgerald,” pp. 14-15.
New York Newsday, February 3, 1994, “ Queens Profile, Karen Fitzgerald,” by Sheila McKenna, p. 32.
The Western Queens Gazette, January 13, 1992, “Fitzgerald: A Balance of Art & Motherhood,” by Marilyn G. Crotty, pp. 19, 30.
Annual Juried Exhibition ’87, Catalogue, 1987, Queens Museum of Art, essay by Susanna Torruella-Leval.
Milwaukee Sentinel, Wisconsin, November 21, 1980, “Karen Fitzgerald,” by Dean Jensen.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Present Education Consultant; Teaching Artist providing Professional Development, Arts-in-Education services
2009 Coordinator, “TRANS-POSITIONS Along the Queensboro Bridge, an exhibition across 5 venues in Western Queens, celebrating the Centennial of the Queensboro Bridge, curated by Judith Tolnick Champa
2008-present Board member, Long Island City Artists, Inc.
Teaching Artist, Flushing Town Hall, NYC
2007-present Coach, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, PS 24: Empire State Partnership Project
2002-present PS 99, Kew Gardens, NYC, Artist–in-Residence; sponsor, Maple Grove Cemetery & NYCDOE Project Arts
2003-2007 Queens Council on the Arts, Arts in the Schools Program, ADVISORY PANEL MEMBER
2001-2007 Center for Arts Education, Parents as Arts Partners, NYC, ADVISORY PANEL MEMBER, SITE VISITOR also COACH, Leadership in Practiceprogram (2005-2007)
1992-2006 New York Foundation for the Arts, ARTS-IN-EDUCATION CONSULTANT: TAP program
2004-2006: New York Foundation for the Arts, Teaching Artists Initiative, CONSULTANT Project point person
2004-2005: Different Ways of Knowing; the Galef Institute, NY Region LEAD ARTIST EDUCATOR COACH
2004: Bank Street College at Cedar Knolls Hawthorne School, TEACHING ARTIST, Artist-in-Residence
2001-2004: ArtistCares, NYC, PROJECT DIRECTOR
1998-2001: Davis Publications, Inc., PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
1997-2003: Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, NYC ARTS-IN-EDUCATION SPECIALIST, Annenberg Initiative
2002: Common Ground, NYSAAE, Rochester, NY, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
2001: Pfizer Inc., NYC, GUEST LECTURER
2000-2001: International Visual Artists, NYC CHAPTER CHAIRPERSON
2000: New York Academy of Art, NYC, CONSULTANT, CURRICULUM WRITER, GO FIGURE!
1999: Partnership for After School Education, NYC, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER
Artworks, ’99, NYCATA / UFT, conference, NYC, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
A New Landscape, ’99, NYSATA, conference, Huntington, NY, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Edison Project, NYC, CONSULTANT and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER
Greenville School, New Rochelle, NY, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Promising Practices, conference, Center for Arts Education, NYC, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
1998: Face to Face ‘98, conference, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Artworks, 98, conference, NYCATA / UFT, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
1992-95: Queens Symphony Orchestra, NYC, EDUCATION DIRECTOR
1995: York College, NYC, GUEST LECTURER
1991-93: St. John’s University, Dept. of Education, Queens, NY, ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR OF ART
Fund for New York City Public Education, Inc., RESEARCH CONSULTANT, School Partners Project
Jamaica Arts Center, Queens, NY, ARTS-IN-EDUCATION SPECIALIST; INSTRUCTOR, Adult painting
1991: Iona College, Elizabeth Seton School, Yonkers, NY, ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR IN ARTS EDUCATION
Teachers & Writers Collaborative, NYC, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
1989: Teachers Center, Yonkers, NY, STAFF DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTOR
1988: Artworks ‘88, conference, NYCATA/UFT, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
1988: New York State Department of Education, Albany, NY, CONSULTANT, reviewer of K - 12 art curriculum
Jamaica Arts Center, NYC, ARTS-IN-EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR, Visual arts instructor
Queens Museum of Art, NYC, CONSULTANT to education department, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
1987: Reasoning Skills in Curriculum Areas, conference, Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC, WORKSHOP PRESENTER
1986-88: Jamaica Arts Center, NYC, INSTRUCTOR
1980-81: Sight 225 Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, PRESIDENT, Artists cooperative gallery
Milwaukee Artist’s Walking Tour, Milwaukee Art Museum sponsor, CO-ORGANIZER
1969-74: St. Patrick’s Church, Halder, WI, CHURCH ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR
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