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 Craftsmen
Recent Shows:
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