Jan Koutsky - Resume
I am a visual artist. I taught for over thirty years in an art department in higher education. I am an award-winning author and illustrator. I work full time in my Seattle studio.
Shows & Exhibitions: I show regularly with:
Ryan James Fine Arts in Kirkland, regular shows from 2023 to present
Women Painters of Washington Gallery in Seattle, regular shows 2019 – present
Affiliated with Patricia Cameron Fine Art and Northwest Designer Craftsartists
My studio is open to the public the 3rd weekend of September during the West Seattle Art Tour.
Recent Shows:
2026
Ryan James Fine Arts Capsule Gallery, Seattle Belltown, April & May solo show
“Objects in the Mirror Are Smaller Than They Appear,” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, January 6 - April 10
Vashon Center for the Arts, “Celebrating Women Painters,” March 4-29
“The Muse has Spoken,” Women Painters of Washington Gallery, April 14 - July 17
West Seattle Art Tour (open studio tour) September 19 & 20th, Seattle
2025
Ryan James Fine Arts, Kirkland, WA: September group invitational show
Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Two Group Shows: Jan. – April, Sept.- Dec.
2024
Ryan James Fine Arts, Kirkland, group show, September
Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Two Group Shows: Jan. – March, April - June
2023
Ryan James Fine Arts, group show, January
Women Painters of Washington, July - September
Gallery Syre, Bellingham, WA., August - September
2022
Women Painters of Washington, Seattle, group shows for winter, summer and fall seasons
Matzke Fine Art and Sculpture Park, Mar-April 2022
2021
“Dreamscapes” Women Painters of Washington, Fall 2021
“Backstory” Invitational at Matzke Fine Art and Sculpture Park, Oct-Nov 2021
Solo show at Capers in Seattle, May & June 2021 (large show of over 30 pieces)
Juried show at the Wenatchee Valley Museum, Oct. 2020-Jan 2021
Selected Shows from the past 2020-2015:
Museo Gallery, Langley, Washington
American Art Co., Tacoma, Sept. 28 - Nov. 18, 2019
Washington State Convention Center, Sept. 2018-Jan. 2019
Bellevue College Gallery, April - May 2017
Koch Gallery, Vashon Island, March 2017
Northwest Designer Craftsmen at Allied Arts Assoc., Richland WA. Aug./Sept. 2016
UW Medicine South Lake Union Campus buildings, Fall 2015
Northlight Gallery, Port Townsend, WA. Spring 2015
Schack Art Center, Everett, WA, Mar - April 2014
Faculty Shows with Seattle Colleges, every two years
Works on Paper – Higher Education Art Faculty, Central Washington University
Publications:
Author & illustrator, “My Grandma, My Pen Pal,” Boyds Mills Press, 2002
Awards & Grants:
· Teacher’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association for “My Grandma, My Pen Pal.”
· Federal Title III Grants: In the early 1990’s I was the first faculty member on my campus to take technology into the classroom by creating a series of courses in “Digital Fine Art.” I received, several Federal Title III grants to learn software, obtain licensing, purchase hardware, etc. to create courses
· Adobe: (early 1990’s) I received a large software donation from Adobe’s Philanthropy program, enabling the college to get started with the new courses I was inventing.
· Several Faculty Development Grants to remain current with emerging technologies.
· “Fund for Excellence Grant” for working with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to administer a public art project
Community Work: I have worked in the West Seattle community in several capacities:
· Co-Founder “West Seattle Art Tour” – a studio tour for the West Seattle community
· Worked with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to administer a public art project
· Board Member - West Seattle Cultural Society (now ArtsWest)
· Helped place numerous students in internships
· Served as a juror for countless community shows and events
· Participated in selecting the first resident artists at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
Teaching Experience:
I taught in the Art Dept. at South Seattle College from 1978-2015. I was responsible for:
· Planning & implementing the art department schedule and budget
· Hiring new faculty, mentoring the new faculty
· Coordinating student scholarship competitions
· Maintaining a budget for studios, overseeing maintenance of equipment, ordering supplies, etc.
· Serving on the campus gallery committee
· As mentioned above, applying for / receiving several grants to move the department forward
Collections:
Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Community College
Numerous Private Collections
Education:
BA in Art, Magna cum Laude, Central Washington University, 1976