Bio
Ann Blaas is a Chicago-born artist , residing in the Chicagoland area. She received her MFA in 1996- from Northern Illinois University, working with Professor Gordon Dorn. She is an abstract painter/ drawings, installations and murals. She is also an educator since 1996. Stylistically the work incorporates a graffiti styled abstraction with a repetitive gestural mark making that incorporate areas of tension and release along with poetical referential elements. Recent exhibitions and activities include; recent two-person exhibition at StudioBreak Gallery, along with two podcasts with Host and gallery owner David Linneweh and co-exhibitor Eric Ockrassa. Recent exhibition and residency at Fulton Market Kitchen, curated by Alex Tsanov. Group mural blast at Nicky’s in Beverly organized by Beverly Art’s Alliances’ curator Sal Campbell.
Window installation at Two Mile Coffee Shop in Beverly, which included an interview and feature on Chicago Tonight on WTTW- Alt Walk, also, organized by Beverly art alliance curator, Sal Campbell. Instincts, was a two-person exhibition with COD colleague Katie Jost at College of Dupage’s Wings gallery/CCMA.
Mural commissions include College of DuPage Horticulture Dept. mural, along with students enrolled in my Summer painting Course. Another fun project at Sanctuary Brewing Company in Hendersonville NC, and WaterStreet Gallery, Batavia IL mural project collaboration with local businesses sponsorship AID. Ann also, participated in the 2021 Evanston Biennial.
The recipient of many awards, Beverly Art Center, Non-representational Award, (Gaspar & Akagawa jurors, Water Street Summer Show, Best of Show (Staci Boris juror), ARS Nova NIU exhibition, best of show, (jurors Mike Baur, & Paul Lamentia. And part of many private collections. Juror duties at Wabaunsee College, Benedictine College, and Midwest Collage Society. Upcoming solo exhibition- fall 2023, at Benedictine University, Lisle IL, curated by Teresa Parker.
She teaches Painting, Drawing, Studio Art, & Contemporary Art at College of DuPage, Harper College, and Joliet Junior College.