Courtney Kessel_______________________________www.courtneykessel.com
58 ½ Lorene Avenue, Athens, Ohio 45701/ 412.951.2236 / courtney@courtneykessel.com
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Expanded Practice and Certificate in Womens and Gender Studies, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2012 (Studied with Duane McDiarmid, Marilyn Poepplmeyer, David LaPalombara, Jaleh Mansoor, and Judith Grant)
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA, Cum Laude, 1998 (Studied with Coco Fusco, Jude Tallichet, and Amy Hauft)
Study Abroad Program, Temple University, Rome, Italy, 1995-96
GRANTS AND AWARDS
School of Art Full Tuition Scholarship, Ohio University, 2009-2012
Graduate Assistantship, Ohio University, 2009-2012
Harry and Grace Foster Memorial Scholarship, Ohio University, 2011
State of the MFA, Curators Honoraria, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
Graduate Student Professional Activity Grant, Ohio University, 2010, 2012
Kentucky Foundation for Women Grant, Louisville, KY, 2008
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (Instructor-of-record)
Three-Dimensional Studies, Foundation Area, Ohio University, Spring 2012
Course content incorporates an introduction to a variety of methodologies for developing object making skills and knowledge.
Casting/ Sculpture II, Sculpture Department, Ohio University, Winter 2012
The second level for prospective sculpture students with emphasis on developing a criticality and accountability in work. Casting class is focused on technical aspects of casting and means of usage. A variety of techniques are taught, including bronze casting.
Sculpture III, IV, V, Sculpture Department, Ohio University, Spring 2011
Upper level courses designed to focus on individual research and practice. Emphasis on resolving materials, forms, and concepts in communicating ideas. Accountability and criticality are emphasized in group critique and individual meetings.
Three-Dimensional Studies, Foundation Area, Ohio University, Fall 2010
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (Teaching Assistant)
Sculpture II and Figurative Sculpture, Ohio University,(assisted Marilyn Poepplemeyer),
Fall 2011
The second course for prospective sculpture majors with emphasis on basic sculpture skills. Introduction to sculpture based upon the human figure as a form, idea, or material.
Sculpture II and Casting, Ohio University, (assisted Lauren Winnen), Winter 2011
Sculpture III, IV, V, Ohio University, (assisted Sarah Fitz-Simmons), Spring 2010
Sculpture I, Ohio University, (assisted Duane McDiarmid), Winter 2010
Exploration of traditional and contemporary concepts of sculpture through lectures, projects, and critical discussions.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (Solo shows indicated by an asterisk)
Courtney Kessel and Linda T. Diec, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2012
* MFA Thesis Exhibition, Trisolini Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2012
The Kinsey Institute 2011 Sixth Annual Juried Art Show, Juried by Betsy
Stirratt and Garry Milius, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 2011
Love and Things Like Love, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky, 2011
Interstice, Ohio University Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2011
Radical Narcissism, Dream City, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2010
State of the MFA, OSU Urban Arts Space, Juried by James Voorhies and Diana
Matuszak, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
* Susan Kennedy: Pieces, installed on MOMA sidewalk, New York City, 2010
After the Pedestal, Juried by Astria Suparak, The Sculpture Center,
Cleveland, Ohio, 2010
Purple Wedding with Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stevens, Galbreth Chapel and
Kennedy Museum of Art, Athens, Ohio, 2010
HerArt, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, 2010
Bonafide, Dream City, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2010
Critical Mass, Trisolini Gallery, Ohio University, 2010
Renegades, 25 Years of Performance at Exit Art- A Selection From The
Archives, Exit Art, New York City, 2007
Art Fever, Lexington Art Leagues 50th Anniversary, Lexington, Kentucky, 2007
generatioNEXT, Loudon House, Lexington, Kentucky, 2007
Garden of Delights: 24th Annual BWAC Outdoor Sculpture Show, Empire-Fulton
Ferry State Park & The Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York, New York, 2006
* Dead Weight, performed at Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky, 2006
The Magi Show, Morehead Art Guild Incorporated, Morehead, Kentucky, 2006
Rapture: 23rd Annual BWAC Outdoor Sculpture Show, Empire-Fulton Ferry State
Park & The Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York, New York, 2005
A Case for Art, Philadelphia Sculptors presents at Highwire Gallery and Wexler
Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2005
The Ladies Room, Vitale Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2005
Reconstruction, Vitale Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2005
Vitale Gallery PRESENTS, Traveling art show, St. Petersburg and Tampa,
Florida, 2005
Generations III, A.I.R. Gallery, New York, New York, 2004
100 Smacks or Less, Covivant Gallery, Tampa, Florida, 2004
Ring of Fire IV, Emerald Lounge, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2004
* Kisses 4 Sale, performed at three locations: Wall Street, Washington Square
Park, Grand Central Station, New York, New York, 2003
Urban Swank, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2002
Menage-a-Trois: New Artwork by Courtney Kessel, Joey Vitale, and John Vitale,
The Warehouse, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2002
100 Smacks or Less, Covivant Gallery, Tampa, Florida, 2002
Ring of Fire (I,II,&III), Emerald Lounge, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2002
DETOUR, Covivant Gallery, Tampa, Florida, 2002
Much Ado About Art Auction, Renaissance Vinoy Sunset Ballroom,
St. Petersburg, Florida, 2002
4th Annual Valentine Peep Show, Hyde Park Fine Arts, Tampa, Florida, 2002
No Show, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida, 2001
* MiNE, The Warehouse, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2001
B.A.M. Beer, Art, and Music, The Warehouse, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2001
The Really Big Show, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida, 2001
Odyssey, Fusion Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2001
The ReMiXX, The Warehouse, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2000
Salon 145, Gallery 145, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2000
Terra Bomba: Part II, Exit Art: The First World, New York, New York,
curators: Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo, 1997
* Fabulust Fashion Show, McCallum St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1997
* Da Girls, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1997
* The Please Touch Show, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1997
Group Show of Philadelphia Artists, The Turmoil Room, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1996
* Whos Shoes, Temple Gallery, Rome, Italy, 1996
* Cast Off, Tiber River, Rome, Italy, 1995
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kriticna Masa (Critical Mass), http://www.seecult.org/vest/kriticna-masa,
January 23,2010
Tranberg, Dan, Special Thanks to The Plain Dealer, Sculpture Center presents exhibit After the Pedestal, July 18, 2010 http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2010/07/sculpture_center_presents_exhi.html
Haber, John, Art and Sunbathing, http://www.haberarts.com/myintro.htm/,
August 27, 2006
Annulla. Blather from Brooklyn, http://annulla.blogspot.com/2006/08/garden-of-
delights-part-one-brooklyn.html, August 27, 2006
Gisen, Brad. Young Designers Showcase 2003, http://oddbox.com/gallery_show/,
April 2003
Cruz, Cooper. Planet Picks, Weekly Planet, December 2002
Taffy and Cotton. High Falutin, Focus Magazine, May 2002
Stark, Brandy. Arousing Art, St. Petersburg Times, pp36W, February 14, 2002
In The Clique. Fashion/ Art segment on No Show, Channel 8 WFLA,
February 23, 2002
Powell, Sterling. Sterling Scene, Weekly Planet, Vol. 14, No.39, pp46
December 20-26, 2001
Swann, Samantha. Cliques Fashion Event, Clique Magazine, Vol. 1, issue 5,
pp14, December 2001
Powell, Sterling. Sterling Scene, Weekly Planet, Vol.14, No.36, pp58,
November 29-Dec.5, 2001
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
Words of Kindness, Greenway Heritage Trail Art Project is a two mile long pedestrian and bicycle path. Located along the path are ten sites of commissioned sculpture. Winona Lake, Indiana, 2007
PANELIST
Secrets: A Panel with Artists Courtney Kessel, Michelle Murphy, and Jacquelynn
Sullivan and Juror Astria Suparak, The Sculpture Center, Cleveland, Ohio 2010
EXHIBITIONS CURATED
The Really Big Show and No Show, Art director/curator for Vitale Bros. exhibitions
at the Tampa Museum of Art, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, and local
galleries in the greater Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2003-1999
Maggie Milono: A Memorial Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1996
MEMBERSHIPS/PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
College Art Association (CAA) member since 2011
ROY G BIV Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Arts League, Columbus, Ohio
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Welding, metal fabricating, casting techniques including foundry, woodshop tools and skills, sewing machine skills, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Illustrator, iMovie, stop-motion animation
CONFERENCES
CAA Conference, Los Angeles, CA 2012
SculptureX Conference, Artist Lecture, Cleveland, OH 2011
CAA Conference, New York, NY 2011
Feminist Art Project at CAA, New York, NY 2011
The State of Sculpture Conference, Attendee/Participant, Cleveland, OH 2010
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Artist, Brooklyn, New York and Morehead, Kentucky, 2009-02
Studio Assistant to artist Steve Tirone, Morehead, Kentucky 2009-05
Art Instructor, private art lessons, Morehead, Kentucky, 2006-05
Instructor for Cave Run Arts Association (6 week long paper casting workshop),
Morehead, Kentucky, 2005
Professional Painter, Vitale Bros. Artworx, St. Petersburg, Florida, 2001-1999
Intern, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1996
Gallery Assistant, Kaoru Tohara, Lisa Tarkett, Mary Culbertson-Stark and Scott
Turri, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1996
TRAVEL & FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Italian: Conversational; One year lived and studied in Rome, Italy, 1996-95
French: Conversational
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Melini Cucina, Morehead & Mt. Sterling, KY and Ironton, OH
Jerelyn Hanrahan, Rome, Italy
Tomatoes Restaurant, Pittsburgh, PA
BASK, Detroit, MI
Frank Strunk III, St. Petersburg, FL
Industrial Strength Co., Tampa, FL
Red Wasp Corporation, St. Petersburg, FL
REFERENCES
Duane McDiarmid, Chair of Sculpture Department, Ohio University
419 Seigfred Hall
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-541-0962
mcdiarmi@ohio.edu
Jaleh Mansoor, Assistant Professor, Department of Art History
University of British Columbia

Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory

403 - 6333 Memorial Road

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

V6T 1Z2
604-822-9412
jaleh.mansoor@ubc.ca
Marilyn Poeppelmeyer, Associate Professor, Ohio University
419 Seigfred Hall
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-707-2551
poeppelm@ohio.edu