Ellen Wagener
EDUCATION
1989BFA, Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC (Honors)
1984-85University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
1983-84Marycrest University, Davenport, IA
AWARDS
U.S. Federal Court House, Cedar Rapids, IA, GSA Public Art Commission, 2012, 4 major works installation
Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Public Art Commission, 2011
USA Artist Fellowship, USA Artists, Los Angeles, CA, nominated 2009
“Addy Award,” Ellen Wagener exhibition catalogue design, 2004
The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award, nominated 2001
Art Dollars Grant, Quad City Arts Council, Rock Island, IL, 1993-99
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2012 Forthcoming Exhibition Iowa State University, Brunnier
Museum of Art, Ames, IA, curated by Jane Milosh, Smithsonian
Intitite, catalogue
2011Interpretations: Works by Gallery Artists, Gebert Contemporary, Scottsdale
2011J. Cacciola Gallery, New York City, NY
2011“Wild Edges,” Mayo Arts and Humanities Center, Scottsdale
2010“Light, Air, Land,” Phoenix Airport Museum, Phoenix AZ
2009J. Cacciola Gallery, New York City, NY
2009“Not Quite Utopia,” Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2008Eden’s Edge, Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2007Proximity, J. Cacciola, New York City, NY
2006Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2005Mesa Arts Center Inaugural Exhibition: The Cultivated
Desert, Mesa AZ, catalogue
2005Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2004Bentley Projects, Phoenix, AZ
Klaudia Marr Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2003Drawing The Cycles of Nature, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA curated by J. Milosch, lecture by Joni L. Kinsey, PhD., University of Iowa, museum acquisition
2002Seven Days In Iowa, Iowa State Capital, Des Moines, IA
2001Roadside Edens, vande Griff/Marr Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Calendar, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA
2000Grand Gardens on A Small Scale, Hudson River Gallery,
Iowa City, IA
1999My Own Private Iowa, Hudson River Gallery
1998New Works, Hudson River Gallery
1997New Pastels, Olson-Larsen Galleries, artist lecture
1996Not Quite Utopia, Quad City Arts Gallery, Rock Island, IL
1993 Prairiescapes, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
1992Highway 61, Revisited, Quad City Arts Gallery, Rock Is., IL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2012 Tempe Art Center, “Arizona” Tempe, AZ
2011 Figge Art Museum Midwest Center for Design, Davenport, IA
Curated by Greg Gilbert, catalogue
2011 “Interpretations,” Gebert Contemporary, Scottsdale, AZ
2011 “Arizona 100,” Phoenix Airport Museum of Art, Phoenix, AZ
2010 “Works on Paper,” J.Cacciola Gallery, New York City, NY
2010 “Photorealism,” Citadelle Foundation, Canadian, TX
2010 “Conversations,” LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM
2010 “New Collectors,” Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2009 “Trouble in Paradise; Examining the Discord Between Science
and Nature,” Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
catalogue, museum acquisition for permanent collection
2009 LA Art Fair, J. Cacciola Gallery, Los Angelos, CA
2009 LA Art Fair, Bentley Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2008 “Masters of Tromp loiel,” Tempe Art Center, Tempe, AZ
2008 Miami Art Fair, J. Cacciola Gallery, New York
2007 Art Santa Fe, Art Chicago, LA Art Fair, J. Cacciola
2006 “Obsessed, Images of Weather,” Brunnier Museum of Art, Iowa
State University, Ames, IA
2006 “Tromp loiel,” Schemer Art Center, Scottsdale, AZ
2005 J. Cacciola Gallery, New York, NY
2004 Selections from the Permanent Collection, featuring F5, Tornado, Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, IA, lecture
2003Recent Acquisitions, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, IA
Gallery Artists, Olson-Larsen Galleries, W. Des Moines, IA
Grant Wood and the Iowa Landscape, Cornell College, IA
2002Landscapes, Olson-Larsen Galleries, W. Des Moines, IA
2001Realism, Evansville Museum of Art, Evansville, IN
Art in Embassies of the U.S. Dept. of State, Villinus,
Latvia, catalogue
On the Horizon, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids,IA
Landscape, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2000Real Illusions, vande Griff Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Green Fields and Crystal Waters, curated by John Arthur, artist lecture, Davenport Museum Of Art, IA
Gallery Artists, Olson-Larson Galleries, West Des Moines, IA
Inspired By Grant Wood, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA
Gallery Artists, Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Landscape, a Visual Pleasure, Tory Folliard Gallery,
Milwaukee, WI
The Landscape, Olson-Larsen Galleries, W. Des Moines, IA
The Midwestern Landscape, Springfield Art Museum, IL
1998Iowa Collection, curated by L. Pohlman, Iowa State University, catalogue
Venue: Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Mac Nider Museum, Mason
City, IA; Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA
1997American Art: Selections from the Permanent Collection, Davenport Museum of Art, curated by M. Robinson, PhD.
Rural Inspirations, Rockford Museum of Art, Rockford, IL
1996Expedition: American Rivers, Along the Banks of the Ohio, Venue: Sherry French Gallery, New York City, NY, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC; Owensboro Museum of Art, KY
1996 Zanesville Art Center, Zanesville, OH; The Kennedy Museum of American Art, Ohio University, Athens, OH
1995Utopia, Sherry French Gallery, New York City, NY
1993Biennial Invitational, Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine, IA
1992Small Treats, Zenith Gallery, Washington DC
1989New Artists, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA
Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
MasterCard Corporation, New York City, NY
European Acquisitions Bank, Zurich, Switzerland
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
U.S. State Dept., U.S. Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Brunnier Museum of Art, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA
Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AK
M & I Banks, Phoenix, AZ
Allied Group, Des Moines, IA Black Hawk College, Moline, IL
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
City Bank Corporation, Kansas City, MO
Dubuque Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA
Oxychem Corporation, Dallas, TX
Pioneer Hi-Bred Corporation, Des Moines, IA
Ruan Center, Des Moines, IA
F.B.L. Financial Group, West Des Moines, IA
Fieldstead, Des Moines, IA
First Des Moines Bank, Des Moines, IA
Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Henkel Corporation, Cologne, Germany
Homesteaders Life, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Bankers Association, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Beef Processors, Omaha, NE
Lutheran Hospitals, Des Moines, IA
Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA
Howard and Donna Stone, Chicago, IL
City of Phoenix, AZ
Philip Wrigley, AZ
SELECTED JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2010 New American Paintings, curated by Terry Sultan, Parrish
Museum of Art, Southhampton, NY, catalouge
2001"DMA Biennial," Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, IA
Juror: R. Griffey, Curator, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,
Kansas City, MO
2000 "Iowa Artists," curated by J. Fleming, Des Moines Art Center
2000 "Impressions," Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, IA 2000"New American Paintings," The Open Studios Press, catalogue
1999"Iowa Artists," Des Moines Art Center
Juror: J. Karden, Director, American Craft Museum, New York
City, (catalogue)
1997"Iowa Artists," Des Moines Art Center
Juror: L. Grachos, Director/Curator of SITE Santa Fe, NM
1997"DMA Biennial," Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, IA, BEST OF Show, Juror, M. Wilkinson, Curator of 20th Century Art, Detroit Institute of Arts (catalogue)
1996"Iowa Artists," Des Moines Art Center
Juror: J. Farber, Curator of 20th Century Art, Joselyn
Museum of Art, Omaha, NE, catalogue
1995"Bi-State Biennial," Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, IA
Juror: N. Benezera, Curator, Hirschorn Museum of Art,
Washington, DC, catalogue
"Augustanna University, Fine Arts Exhibition," Rock Island, IL,
AWARD WINNER, Juror, G. Neubert, Dir., Sheldon Memorial
Art Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, catalogue
1994"Pastels," Maryland Art Federation Gallery On the Circle,
Annapolis, MD, catalogue, Juror, David Hannah, Tyler School
Of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1994 The Contemporary American Landscape," Erector Square Gallery,
New Haven, CT, AWARD WINNER,
Juror: Helen Cooper, Curator of Painting and Sculpture, Yale
Art Gallery, Yale University
"On Paper, Maryland Pastel Society," John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, WARD WINNING
Juror: J. Fisher, Curator, Baltimore Museum of Art, catalogue
1992"Regional Art Showcase," Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, IA
Juror: L. Warren, Curator, Museum Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine, 2011
Tucson Museum of Art, “Trouble in Paradise; Examining the Discord
Between Science and Nature,” pp.7, 152-53, by J. Sasse, 2009
Desert Living, 2009, Lara Taubman, artist profile, “Sketched Out”
Arizona Foothills Magazine, “Designer’s Showhouse,” p. 8, 2009
Art in America, January 2008, p.32
Arizona Republic, January 26, 2008, “Tree Bears Fruit,” Richard
Nielsen, AE review
Art in America, March 2007, p. 57
21st American City: Phoenix, Arizona, Booth-Clairborne Publishing,
London, England
Phoenix Home & Garden, March 2006, “Emerging Artists,” J. Kushman, pp., 146-148
Art & Antiques, December 2005, “Smoke and Mirrors,” John T. Spike
American Art Collector, December 2005, "Ellen Wagener," J. Rose,
pp. 148-157 The Arizona Republic, September 12, 2004, "Artist Finds Power in
Landscape,” Richard Nielsen, review pp. 61, 63
Passa Tiempo, August 6, 2004, "The Unbelievable Likeness of Light,"
Elizabeth Cook-Romero, pp. 50-51 review
The Arizona Republic, April 9, 2004, "Artist Doesn't Stray," Ernest
McIntyre, pp.7-8 review
New Times, April 15, 2004, "Pastel Skies," Gina Cavallo Collins
Arizona Foothills, "Artwatch/Buzz," J. Quill, p. 48
Desert Living, "Gallery Preview," Rebecca Clark, p. 36
Des Moines Register, May 11, 2002, "Show Time," L. Marsfield, HG
Des Moines Register, August 10, 2003, "Hotel Pattee Collection,"
A. Pierre, HG review, catalogue
Dubuque Telegraph Herald, March 8, 2001, "Field in the Rearview" p.8
The Iowan, March/April 2001, p. 13
Des Moines Register, August 9, 2000, "Mother Theresa's Foul Ball,"
Venue North, July 14, 2000, "Gallery Examines Modern Realism," p. 6
New American Paintings, Open Studio Press, Midwest, Volume 29, 2000
Lit by the Sun, Lela Gilbert and Ellen Bak, copyright 2001, pp. 82
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Landscape Artists Show Off Midwest's Charms," James Aver, November 3, 1999, p. 2ECUE
Iowa Artist, 2000, Des Moines Art Center, catalogue
ARTnews, summer 1999, van de Griff Gallery, p. 42
Des Moines Register, "Diversity Is Key to Iowa Artist Show," Marie
Louise Kane, July 13, 1999, p. 2E review
Iowa Artists, 1999, Des Moines Art Center, pp. 39, 47
A Time We Remember, B. Wundram, pp 3, 4, 78
Lifework: Portraits of Iowa Women Artists, R. Steinbach, 1998, pp. 96-97,138
Iowa Artists, 1997, Des Moines Art Center, pp. 61, 70
The Iowan, wnter 1997, p. 54
Omaha World Herald, July 14, 1997, "Travelers Guide; Beauty out The Front Door," pp.17-19
Dubuque Telegraph Herald, July 3, 1997, "Women Artists," p. 17
ARTnews, June 1996, "Riverside Blues," pp. 39-40, review
ARTnews, March 1996, p. 68
Iowa Artist's 1996, Des Moines Art Center, pp. 45, 47
Iowa City Magazine, June, 1996, p. 23
Iowa Woman's Magazine, summer 1995, cover story, pp. 2, 26
The Capital, (Annapolis, MD) March 17, 1994, Mike Purvis, review
The Daily Iowan, (Iowa City, IA) September 10, 1993, T. Wannat, "Soul Catcher, An Artist's Tale"
New Haven Register, (New Haven, CT) December 6, 1992, E. Fleischman, "Landscapes and Horizons”
PROFESSIONAL
2011 “Grant Wood Artist Colony Symposium,” Stone City, IA
Organized a Regionalism Symposium at the famed colony with
Artists, curators, scholars
2007 “Sphere,” by Sol LeWitt, Phoenix Art Museum, Project Assistant
1998 Davenport Museum of Art Board Member
1996 Marycrest International University, Adjunct Professor
1986 Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC, Sculpture Assistant
1985 National Assembly of State Art Agencies, Washington, DC
Project Assistant Internship, Washington Center
1985 National Assembly of Local Art Agencies, Washington, DC
Convention Assistant Internship, Washington Center
1984 Costume Designer, Set Designer, Marycrest College
Gallery Representation
J. Cacciola Gallery, New York City, NY
Gebert Conteemporary, Scottsdale, AZ
LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM
Hudson River Gallery, Iowa City, IA