Art Prize - Grand Rapids MI

ArtRat Gallery announces its ArtPrize 2024 lineup

'Lucky 13' welcomes 13 guest artists in a variety of media.

Grand Rapids, MI, September 9, 2024 — ArtRat Gallery today introduced the 13 artists it will host during ArtPrize 2024: Emma Bandos, Isabel Dowell, Trinja Henrickson, Missy Hines, Renee Kuharchuk, Wendy Liang, Emily Moores, Lux Pax, Maxwell Pearce, Tammy, Michael Thorensen, Zachary Trebellas and Robyn Wall. ArtRat co-owner and resident artist Nancy Tobin completes the lineup — the largest group show the gallery has presented to date.

“We feel very lucky to share our walls with all these amazing guests!” Tobin said. “While each work is utterly distinct, the artists in our 'Lucky 13' share a commitment to image-making that harmonizes beautifully in this show.”

Renee Kuharchuk’s (VOTE ID 55120) work captures close-up portraiture that experiments with dynamic brushwork and abstract colors. Through painting the human form, she explores themes of feminism and the human experience. As a woman battling anxiety and depression, her practice not only brings these issues to light, but creates a space for self-healing and, on a broader scope, awareness of our inner battles. 

Her work has been recently on display at Vibrant Cast Gallery in Chicago, Illinois and at Side Street Studios in Elgin, Illinois. Her solo show "Emotionally Heightened" has been featured in Chicagoland's paper: The Daily Herald & in Gita Joshi's London-based curators' platform The Curator's Salon. 

Extra Credit - ArtSpace Chicago

Extra Credit is a collaborative exhibition with art educators and their students. Work is chosen which reflects a similar style or theme. Extra Credit partners with ArtSpace Chicago, a local gallery and educator space.

Sponsored by ArtConnected

This Is What We Carry

We are so excited to welcome all to this community art show. The featured artists in this group show share deeply personal stories through their work on their complex relationships with religion.

Work by: Azul Nogueron, Lizzy Sullivan, Simone Athena Scigousky, Connor Young, owen tardy, Mark Blickley, Katharine Oltrogge, Sarah Foley, Jassiel Serna, Rebecca Ebben, Karis Harrison-Rucker, Geneva Hutchinson, Wen Cordero Rugama, Magdalena Kamphausen, Renee Kuharchuk, Alex Rummel, Maria Vazquez, Casey VanderStel, Grace Holsten, Delaina Doshi, Charlea Taylor, Nikki Kelsay, Abbie Krider, Maryjane Reilly, Mel Ramaker, Lillian Heredia, Scumdrop, lauren kingsley schoepflin, Morgan Brothers, Eva Sturm-Gross, Rainn Thomas, Maggie Hart, Zahra Ali, Sarah E. Rieser, Clau Rocha, Dani Massey, Marie Magnetic

The opening night will be an open house to explore the 40+ artworks installed around this 100-year-old church building and meet the artists. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are provided. The event is free and RSVP is recommended to receive the most updated information, but not required to attend.

This show contains themes of religious and spiritual trauma, sexual trauma, homophobia and transphobia, some nudity and graphic images, and other heavy themes, and may not be suitable for children.

Official Website

Sound and Soul Art Show

The Sound and Soul collection explores the profound impact of sound on the human experience. This is body of work by Chicago based artist focusing on the collaboration of visual images and sound.

What Women Are Thinking About

What Women Are Thinking About  is a group show of works by women artists from around the world at Liz Long art gallery at Urban Art Retreat in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. The show is on display through Mar. 23,  2024  at 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Il. 60623. Visitors may catch the show on Saturdays from 1-4 or by contacting the gallery for an alternate date/time. contact@urbanartretreat.com

“Picking 4” which depicts anxious habits, work by Kuharchuk

Some artists are local such as Val Cavin who resides in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. Her piece is about growing old. Val says look forward not backward with regrets.  Julia Shangguan from the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago contributed a dynamic piece about Asian women feeling a need to assimilate. Tamara Berger of Serbia says her primary focus in painting is on feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. She has contributed a piece called “Mothers are Super Heroes”.  Veronica Ceci from Texas has two pieces in the show about air quality and pesticides. Nymera of Texas has a piece in the show called Since You Asked, about women of color often being asked  what is on their minds.   Maria Coletsis, of Vancouver Canada, shows us a beautiful photograph of roses and when you look up close you see the pot is not a pot but a covid mask and when you look closer, you see on the mask a man spraying pesticides. One of the pieces that Cat Roberts has in the show says- I Am worthy I Am Bold I Am Melaninaire. Cassandra Robinson from Wisconsin’s assemblage piece is about Incarceration. Meghan Du from the UK enchanted everyone with her art- TRIBE about women’s land and women’s empowerment. Renee Kuharchuk of Bartlett, Illinois also fascinated people with her pieces. Both large, one is called Property or Commodity is the pelvis bones of a woman with paper money woven in & out of it, the other is hands, picking the skin especially around the fingernails and is called Picking (about anxiety). Monica Mills from Prague  contributed a powerful piece alluding to (FGM)FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION. The piece is comprised of pieces of canvas not too big sewn together on a round form. The canvas pieces have traces of reddish hue. And we have a black and white photograph by a woman we shall call L who is self- identified as homeless. She lives in Australia. L told me she was hard pressed to enter the show since some men had just stolen everything she had. The photograph is high contrast mostly black above the large tree. Top heavy with black sky, at the very bottom one sees a very small woman reading/studying a book on her lap with legs crossed, on some cement, in front of where it says Modern Contemporary Art on the building.

Renee Kuharchuk’s Property or Commodity

The curator is an artist, originally from New York. Dianna C. Long has included her collaged tall cupboard piece-  Woman As Survivor which chronicles the decades she has put into showing art by women who have survived trauma (mostly rape, domestic violence, incest). She has covered a tall old cupboard from top to bottom, even the door with scraps of papers about the art shows and times they existed in. The artists bared their trauma selves and allowed the public to look at their art about surviving trauma. This validation and sharing helped to heal the artists and some viewers. For others is has been an awakening.

Also included in the art show is a video of many of the actual pieces that have been in the largest Woman As Survivor art show that Dianna has curated. This silent video of one trauma piece after another on view to see is riveting. It is here to see. Dianna says that many women are thinking of wanting to be safe from rape, domestic violence, and incest.

Year 11 - Side Street Studios

Side Street Studio Arts, NFP was founded in 2013 as an outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Side Street provides educational and creative resources and an inclusive space, run by artists. Side Street’s mission is to support the artist and artistic journey through collaboration.

This is one of the biggest visual art shows of the year! Jurors will select artists for recognition and awards. The Crowd Favorite (voted on during the opening reception) will receive our top cash prize! Come vote for your favorite and celebrate with us.

Performances by Angrous Jeffries, Atrocious Poets, and more!

Guest Judges: Joshua Dixon, Iga Puchalska, Marc Thayer

Women's United Art Magazine - Artist Feature

WOMEN’S UNITED ART MAGAZINE | ISSUE II | WINTER 2023

INCLUDING

WOMEN IN THE ARTS
Celebrating industry leaders Stacie McCormick (Unit 1 Gallery | Wokshop & Fair Art Fair), Elyse' Jokinen (Wilder Collage), Ms. Jolí (BlkArthouse)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Interviewing contemporary visual artists Alanna Peters, Andrea Friederichs-du Maire, Audineh Asaf, Anna Korbut, Debbie Korbel, Deborah Kruger, Emanuela Nesko, Eva Miedema, Gabriela Brito, Heather Sportsman, Jhina Alvarado, Kateryna Bortsova, Kathleen Beausoleil, Kimberlee Rocca, Lena Silva, Mariana Arrieta Ibarra, Megan Quinn, Olga Niki, Olga Synooka, Rebecca Holton, Stephanie Mulvihill, Tetiana Kylivnyk

ART UNLIMITED
Introducing women creatives Mirei Monticelli, Victoria Jane Kearney

THE CURATOR'S PICK
Highlighting artists to follow Rachel Fae Coleman, Renee Kuharchuk, Gabriela Domville, Olson Olberburg, Judit Fortelny, Oksana Kravchenko, Montserrat Serra Nonell, Tonya Whitney, Annelise Bronsveld, Louise Laplante, Anne-Marie Olczak, Yvonne Vácha Mané, Marlene Jorge, Vanessa Hiller, Geraldina Khatchikian, Michelle Schultz, Dorothy McGuinness, Jennifer Galvin, Krisztina Lazar, Mandy Martin, Silvia Felizia, Olya Krasavina, Ann B Rosen, Erin Malia Cross, Jayn Anderson, Paulina Ree, Catarina Diaz, Martina Petrovicova, Michaela Jean, Hollie Anderson, Marja van Putten, Kristen Dahms, Melissa Newman

LIVING THE LIFE
Discovering From Waco With Love, The Travelling Artist, Your Creative Diaries, Tools For Artists 

EXHIBITS
Presenting Women United ART MOVEMENT solo exhibits - Krisztina Lazar, Heather Sportsman, Vicky Jacob-Ebbingaus, Valentine Svihalek, Leah Cupino; group exhibit Perfect Imperfection: Faces & Figures curated by Erika b Hess

The Art Dames Society - Gratitude Show

The Art Dames Society was launched as an international support network for women creatives who are changing their career path into the arts. It shines a spotlight on emerging, mid-career, and established women artists through opportunities to showcase their work and share their stories with the world. We believe that all voices are important as each woman's life and art journeys are unique and shape the circumstances of her art practice.

Mouth 3 - Acrylic painting on canvas

Having had personal experience with returning to the arts after years of neglecting her creative callings, the founder Ceili Seipke, made it her mission to support like-minded women artists through opportunities, resources and mentorship. 

 The Art Dames Society is an inclusive platform that currently focuses on showcasing the work of women artists through the First Friday Art Gallery, introducing them to wider audiences through the Artist Directory and In the Spotlight interviews and sharing business/career advice on the Spotlight page.

“Is it enough, yet?” Assemblage/Installation

 Join us to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative that is “Celebrating women artists who radiate wisdom, experience, strength, and the beauty of aging.”

Works featured by Renee Kuharchuk include “Mouth 3” and “Is it Enough, Yet?”

Participating artists in The Art Dames Society Gratitude Show.

The Art Dames Society - First Friday Show

The Art Dames Society was launched as an international support network for women creatives who are changing their career path into the arts. It shines a spotlight on emerging, mid-career, and established women artists through opportunities to showcase their work and share their stories with the world. We believe that all voices are important as each woman's life and art journeys are unique and shape the circumstances of her art practice.

Having had personal experience with returning to the arts after years of neglecting her creative callings, the founder Ceili Seipke, made it her mission to support like-minded women artists through opportunities, resources and mentorship. 

 The Art Dames Society is an inclusive platform that currently focuses on showcasing the work of women artists through the First Friday Art Gallery, introducing them to wider audiences through the Artist Directory and In the Spotlight interviews and sharing business/career advice on the Spotlight page.

 Join us to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative that is “Celebrating women artists who radiate wisdom, experience, strength, and the beauty of aging.”

“Picking 4” and “Biting” are acrylic paintings featured within this exhibition by Illinois artist Renee Kuharchuk. Her painting “Picking 4” garnered her 3rd place.

Extra Credit Art Exhibition: Art Space Chicago

Extra Credit is an Art Exhibition featuring both educator and student work from local Chicago Artists.

Extra Credit is an Art Exhibition featuring work from local Chicago artists and their students.

Great Northern Art Explosion: Ausable Artisan Village

Center: “Biting” Acrylic painting by Renee Kuharchuk

Center: “Picking 3” Acrylic painting by Renee Kuharchuk

Ausable Artisan Village presents: The Annual Great Northern Art Explosion located in downtown Grayling Michigan - An international juried fine art exhibition featuring over 100 artists and artworks selected by professional juror Amy Vos Dillinger.

Show dates from August 26th, 2023 through public award ceremony, September 10, 2023.

Art Explosion 2023 Accepted Artists:

Clifford Burkholder, Abby Akers, Linda Allen, Madeleine Althoff, Sylvia Bandyk, Kelli Bechtel, JoAnn Bennett, Shanti Bennett, Larry Blovits, Mary-Glynn Boies, Anita Brett, Robert Bridenbaugh, Michael Bruner, melinda bylow, Anthony Cairo, Jeff Caverly, Pat Cheal, Marc Chicoine, Cheryl Chidester, Winnie Chrzanowski, Alisa Clark, Amy Clark, Jeannine Cook, Jacob Cotton, Paulette Cruise, John DeHoog, Terry Dickinson, John Diephouse, Randi Dodgson, Lisa Downs, henry droski, Robert Esckelson, Gwen Meyer Ethelbah, Daniel Feldhauser, Christopher Fowler, Aimee Fresia, Jill Gary, Jerry Gates, Raymond Gaynor, Susan George, Jan Gill, Sharon Grant, Janet Grifka-Smith, Marcia Guetschow, Becky Hansen, Ebonee Hansen, Robert Harold, Rebecca Hauschild, Gary Johnson, Michael Koole, Renee Kuharchuk, Justin La Doux, Sheila Lamberson, Gaye Lee-Peters, Frank Leimbek, Jennifer Mann, Carol Mannas, Marlies Manning, mike mcgraw, Stacy McKellip, Russel Minnerick, Sara Naylor, Jay (aka Jacqueline) Norris, Lisa Oliver, Nicki Omori, Justice Otterbacher, Frauke Palmer, stone peng, Joyce Petrakovitz, Stacie Poindexter, Trish Poupard, Olivia Prado, Agnieszka Przyborowski, John Puffer, Matthew Schellenberg, Bonnie Sheckter CPSA, Megan Shilobod, Carolyn Shoemaker, sandra sholl, Shena Sloboda, David Smith, Jennifer Sowders, Jan Stannard, Betsy Stecker, Laura Stockwell, Pamela Stoddard, Jennifer Sugarman, Mary Sundstrom, Nicole Szymanski, Amy TATROE, Ilene Thayer, Susan Thiel, Jamie Thomson, Pete Wardrope, Christy Warren, Carrie Weis, Jeff Wortman, Elizabeth Yarosz-Ash, Larry Zdeb, Albert Zifilippo, MaryAnn Ferrigan, Lynn, Pettyjohn, Paul Nilsson, Jan Treston, Gilbert Kustra, Jake Allen, Terry Akers

Emotionally Heightened

“Emotionally Heightened” is an exhibition of a recent body of work by visual artist Renee Kuharchuk. This collection of works embodies the feelings of anxiety, illustrated through close up snap shots of everyday habits and visual manifestations of these anxious feelings. These images illustrate a feeling and highlight that habit or symptom when emotionally heightened. We all have those subconscious mannerisms - biting nails, picking fingers, twirling hair, tapping a foot. What happens when a spotlight is shined on those mindless routines?  What happens when we take notice of what is happening in our bodies when experiencing painful situations? These movements serve as a way to cope. It’s a manifestation of that emotion in our bodies; how we self-soothe. 

The style of each painting illustrates the symptom or situation. Some works use short feathered marks that mimic meditative, repetitive movements such as yoga, prayer beads, or worry stones while others use loose swooping lines and layered energetic strokes to exemplify anxious or painful situations. The loose and wild brushwork create chaos and disorganization - a reflection of the internal struggle. By creating small clustered brush strokes using bright colors, the works leap off the canvas and almost vibrate with movement.

This September, Brother Chimp Brewing will be hosting the solo exhibition “Emotionally Heightened”  by artist Renee Kuharchuk. Renee is an artist working in the Chicagoland area. This exhibition displays 19 of her original paintings and is an exploration of portraiture and mental health. The exhibition is accompanied by an artists talk, where Renee will be answering questions about her work, describing her intention and purpose behind making these pieces. This is an opportunity to experience these works while getting personal insight into Kuharchuk’s artistic process. 

Chicagoland based artist Renee Kuharchuk pushes the boundaries in her work to get the viewer to feel. Her works dominate the canvas and demand attention. A practice born from personal experience, Kuharchuk’s imagery is identifiable while her brush technique is stylized. Her collective mark making is a demonstration of her creative practice as a means for healing. This body of work brings awareness to our collective struggles with mental health. 

2023 Micro Residency Exhibition - University of Illinois

University of Illinois - Micro Residency - June 2023

In this program educator-artists from a broad range of disciplines live, work, and collaborate to push the boundaries of their practices. Artist display their work produced during the residency program through a public exhibition that culminates the experience.

Below are featured works produced by Renee Kuharchuk. during this residency.

Dabster Art Quarterly

The Quarterly is an art publication and online exclusive exhibition highlighting the art and artistic concepts of contemporary artists working today. This Spring issue interviews arts on their personal practice and how they develop the meaning behind their work. In this issue, Renee Kuharchuk explains how her exaggerated brush work and bold color palette add to the anxious themes of her artwork.

Image from the Spring 2023 issue featuring artwork and interview with Renee Kuharchuk

Excerpt from interview with Renee Kuharchuk

Artist Interviews featured in the Spring Issue

Women's United Art Magazine - Solo Show Feature

WOMENS UNITED ART MAGAZINE | ISSUE III | SPRING 2023

INCLUDING

WOMEN IN THE ARTS
Celebrating industry leaders Sarah Maple & Tam Gryn

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Interviewing contemporary visual artists Alejandra Moral, Alexandra Bolshakova, Aomi Kikuchi, Asya Kozina, Avin Abbasi, Ēlena Ēto, Elena Rousseau, Francesca Schwartz, Joanna Pilarczyk, Judi Tavill, Julia C R Gray, Kathy Cornwell, Kim Hopson, Lori Solley, Meghan DeRoma, Olivia Jane, P.M.K.D, Saeideh Aghaei, Sahar Nateghi, Sara Rahanjam, Tara Barr, Victoria Matéo

View of the virtual gallery space in the solo show.

ART UNLIMITED
Introducing women creatives Marianna Koytsan

THE CURATOR'S PICK
Highlighting artists to follow Alex Duncan, Shannon Rae Fincke, Valerie Milo, Sarah Renzi Sanders, Yevheniia Kurdiukova, Amy Swartelé, Pamela Chrabieh, Nadine Ogle, Dulce Carvalho Atelier, Dawn Smith, Cassie Arnold, Mehrnoosh, Leonor Ali & M. Kate Helmes Shark, Rose Malenfant, Sue Dickins, Marelie van Rensburg, Anne Mailhot, Bita Mohabbati, Sara Mazahery, Lauren Brumbach, Nicki Ault, Lauren Lewchuk, Roshni Patel, Kuan-Hsuan Lu, Rachel Morrisey, Lichiban, Polurenko, Maryam Rajabzadeh, Saba Tafaghodi, Sarah Spillers, Mahshad Azadi, Carola Orieta Sperman, Ziba Pashang, Leila Farzaneh, Iskra Sale, Parastoo Haddadi, Lori Burke, Deb McCarroll, Odeta Xheka

LIVING THE LIFE
Discovering The Travelling Artist, Your Creative Diaries with Alisha Pop, Tools For Artists 

EXHIBITS
Presenting Women United ART MOVEMENT solo exhibits - Celine Gabrielle, Lauryn Grubbs, Petra Schott, Ghia Haddad, Vanessa Hiller, Katrina Niswander, Renee Kuharchuk, Paula Borsetti, Jennifer Hulley, Kristy Okkonen, Rachel Le Roux, Aomi Kikuchi, Daniella Queirolo, Lize Krüger, Molly F. McCracken, Agathe Bouton; group exhibit Dare To Dream curated by Women United ART MOVEMENT

Interview - Teaching Artist Podcast

Through conversations with teaching artists, an art educators support group, and resources like lesson plans and workshops, we are building community and sharing stories to connect our islands and make equitable liberatory teaching the norm.

Teaching Artist Podcast was started by Rebecca Potts Aguirre, a visual arts teaching artist. She interviews practicing artists who are also educators in K-12 and community settings. This podcast is dedicated to discussions of teaching art, making art, and how those things overlap and feed each other.

In episode 100, Rebecca interviews practicing artists who offer insight and advice to other art teachers. In this interview, Renee Kuharchuk speaks to the challenges of teaching alongside strategies to manage the work flow. See the detailed show notes here

"Your Misogyny is Making Me Anxious" - Solo Show by Renee Kuharchuk

A view of the gallery space.

Art Ascent Magazine

ArtAscent Portraits issue features Chicago based artist Renee Kuharchuk and her acrylic painting: “Disgusting” Kuharchuk is painter whose work focuses on themes of femininity and mental health.

Art Seen Magazine

Art Seen, The Curator’s Salon Magazine, brings together contemporary visual artists from around the world to talk about their work, influences, purpose and everything else.

Issue 6 published for Winter 2022 presents:

• Conversations between artists and curators including Sagarika Sundaram, Suchitra Mattia and Jess Allen.

• Collectors Axel Anderl and Kathrin Weber share their journey through collecting art

• Stories behind the artworks and the artists practice including bold and stunning visuals

• An insight into the studio life and practice of artists from around the world plus studio spaces in their most natural form. Inside the publication you will discover artists from around the world, working across a number of disciplines, and learn about contemporary art and artists.

This issue also includes Dalini Sagadeva, Young Shin, Celine Chan, Seth Ellison, Ruth Santee, Natasha Bakovic, Bobbye Cochran, Grayson Cassels, Masako Roberts, Odeta Xheka, Ekaterina Adelskaya, John A. Blythe, Renee Kuharchuk, Ilsa Brittain, Sarah Darke, Adrienne Egger, Vanessa Snyder, Melissa Wilkinson, Kate Marsden, Veronika Lavey, Cecile Lobert, Dana Kohlmann, Camille Myles, Shelly Pamenskym Ghia Haddad, Geraldine Khatchikian, Adam Strange, Katrina Niswander, Sally Wetherall, Charley Peters, Zara Kand, Brandi Hofer and Kathryn Armitage.

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November Artist - Dry City

Dry City hosts local area artists who display custom work. Featured artwork by Renee Kuharchuk whose work explores themes of femininity and mental health. Her work is on display for the month of November.