Upcoming Events
Old News
Are We There Yet CIVA Juried exhibition. Bethel University. June 2019
November 1 to December 14, 2018:
Chapel is a solo exhibition of new scupture at the H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art at Carthage College. Opening Reception: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1. These sculptures and graphics explore various structures and facades related to religious subculture and middle American rural life. This exhibit strives to simultaneously celebrate and interrogate the complexities of white men, homiletics, summer camp and mass-produced Christianity. In tandem with this exhibit I will lead participants in a traditional Quaker meeting from 4:15 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the Walter Fritsch Meditation Chapel. Coordinating with Carthage’s Center for Faith and Spirituality and the Racine/Kenosha Worship Group, this silent Waiting Worship will provide the Carthage community an opportunity to consider this form. While not a birthright nor convinced Quaker, I am interested in the relationship between worship forms and art forms.
June 18 to July 27, 2018:
Four Square is a group exhibition of three artists who live in Rochester (Nicole Havekost, Mary Beth Magyar, and Chris Rackley) and one who doesn't (me). This exhibit includes sculpture, drawing, and video on view RCTC Gallery. A reception on Thursday, June 21 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm includes light refreshments and talks by each artist beginning at 7:00 pm. Four Square is curated by Crist Dahl, RCTC Art Gallery Director, and is supported by grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. Link to FB event.
April 22, 2016:
Today, Saint Mary's Celebration of Scholarship lifts the good work our students are doing. I'm honored to be a part of this university community.
April 1, 2016:
I'm so very grateful to the good folks at MacRostie Art Center for hosting Abundance and to Bethel Galleries for hosting Mount Pleasant. It has been a very busy spring for my little studio, but I'm proud of both of these shows and deeply thankful for the hospitality and support provided for these exhibitions.
March 1, 2016:
News from Kjellgren Alkire Studios.
January 30, 2016:
As I begin my volunteer work with AIGA Minnesota, I'm reminded of the importance of the generations of strong, thoughtful professionals in creative industries. Its so lovely to feel part of a legacy of leadership and innovation.
November 14, 2015:
Many artists gathered today for the Annual Meeting of the MAEP. It was a lively, and at times impassioned, converstation. I successfully ran to serve my Minnesota Artist peers as a review panelist. I'm honored to join some really great folks in this time of transition in this important and beloved program.
October 23, 2015:
I’m honored to give a lecture about my research around the Visual Culture of Contemporary Christianity at Judson University tonight.
September 27, 2015:
SMUMN’s campus student newsboss asked me some questions and took my picture.
Here’s the evidence.
September 24, 2015:
My solo exhibition, Mirror Darkly, opens tonight at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. More info is available here.
August 24, 2015:
I’m moving into a new studio. We got ourselves a big studio (and it also comes with a house).
August 15, 2015:
So, I’m switching teams. I am delighted to announce that I accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I’ve really enjoyed these last two years at Winona State and I’m looking forward to a new chapter.
August 1, 2015:
Corie Cole and Aaron Cohick are tremendously beautiful, terrific individuals who I am honored to call my friends. And now they are married to each other. And I got to be there to help. And it was amazing. SO-MUCH-LOVE to you two Colehickians!
June 17, 2015:
Jonathan and Dawn Rundman graciously invited me to their kitchen table last night to record a podcast about art. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
May 8, 2015:
I spend much of my work week with students and today several of them finish their time at Winona State University. Congratulations, Graduates! I’m honored to have joined you for your last leg of this journey. Here’s to your futures!
April 18, 2015:
The City of Winona is celebrating Earth Day. I made the hippie-est sculpture ever to compliment the wishes of the children of Winona. TieDyed Rivertown Goodness Abounds!!!
April 9, 2015:
Rochester Art Center is hosting a Pecha Kucha Night. As one of the presenters, I plan to spend the first half of my five minutes talking about why I make art and the second half reading Wendell Berry’s Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.
April 3, 2015:
I’m so proud of our senior-year graphic design students at Winona State! You all are going to knock it outta the park this weekend at Portfolio 1-on-1™!
March 26, 2015:
Just to be sure I squeeze all my major research interests into these two weeks in mid-March, I’m off to the FATE conference in Indy to talk about Squishystuff: Spirituality in the Studio.
March 20, 2015:
I’m presenting a bit of my scholarship on a panel alongside three of my heroes: John Risseeuw, RA Godollei and Ericka Walker. Check out our conversation about Prints and the Political Sphere.
February 17, 2015:
My solo exhibition, Come In Over, opens tonight at Concordia University Saint Paul. I’m honored to be showing there. More info is available here.
January 29, 2015:
Sincere thanks to Matthew Winkler for his thoughtfulness regarding my current exhibit at Rochester Art Center on this morning's MPR Art Hounds.
January 8, 2015:
Due to inclement weather expected this afternoon/evening, the opening reception for LONG HAUL is rescheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 6–8pm.
January 2015:
News from Kjellgren Alkire Studios.
New Years 2015:
I'm delighted to begin 2015 with Long Haul, a solo exhibition at the Rochester Art Center. Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, January 8 from 6-8pm.
Related to this exhibit is brief mid-day conversation regarding performance art on Wednesday, January 7 from 11-11:50am. Info on that event is here.
Thanksgiving 2014:
It is such a pleasure to teach art and design. I'm proud of how my students have worked this fall term and I'm really looking forward to their final presentations.
October 1, 2014:
2014 Third Quarter News from Kjellgren Alkire Studios.
lateSeptember 2014:
I'm so delighted to be part of Melissa Haviland’s panel at MAPC with Danielle Rante, Guen Montgomery, Jessie VanderLaan and Susan Heggestad!
Labor Day 2014:
I'm really looking forward to both my upcoming solo show at North Hennepin and the 2014 MCAD/Jerome Exhibition opening on Friday, October 3.
July 2014:
Work towards this fall's MCAD/Jerome Fellowship Exhibition is coming along nicely. The opening reception will be Friday, October 3rd. More info is on the way.
June 2014:
I'm thrilled to announce my new solo exhibition Ten Four Good Buddy. Work is on view from June 20-July 6, 2014 at The 410 Project in Mankato, MN; join us for the reception on Sunday, June 29 from 7-9pm.
Memorial Day 2014:
Summer has already been so productive and restful. But despite the brats and sunshine, I am deeply thankful for representation, liberty and civil society. Many thanks to all those to serve the virtues of our democratic republic.
Spring Commencement 2014:
Congrats to all the graduates this season. I'm honored to have been one voice along the way for my students.
Spring Break 2014:
This winter has been too long and very cold. I've finally chipped away the icedamns on my studio door. I sing the virtues of Heat.
Valentines Weekend 2014:
Spending HeartDay with students in Chicago looking art art. I miss my lover, but am thrilled to have such a good group on such a great trip.
New Years Day 2014:
Our ridiculously crisp Minnesota winter provides in a terrific sameness to the New Year. May we all be blessed with the Steady and the Fresh that we need! Happy New Year, Everybody!
almostThanksgiving 2013:
I'm getting my work ready to ship for OPEN DOOR 9: Rosalux's 9th Annual Juried Exhibition. Please consider attending the opening reception.
earlyNovember 2013:
I'm thrilled to be selected as one of the five 2013/14 Jerome Fellows! This amazing program provides funding, support and encouragement to Emerging Artists in Minnesota. I am so excited and honored!
midOctober 2013:
With this bounty of resources, strategies and means, I am only briefly tempted to lament my luxuries, but that impulse is quickly overcome with gratitude and joy.
lateSeptember 2013:
The leaves along the Mississippi River have begun to change. Fall is in full swing. I'm moving into a new studio. I'm so grateful for new opportunities, classes, space and place.
lateJuly 2013:
I'm so deighted to join the faculty of Winona State this August. We are off on a new chapter of work and life!
lateJune 2013:
Home has been a distant memory since early May. Lots of traveling, lots of productive activity and some vacation.
Kjellgren Alkire Studio
P.O. Box 1, Lake City, Minnesota 55041
