About
Bio
Glen Kessler is an internationally collected and awarded artist as well as the founder of The Compass Atelier in Rockville, MD. Kessler has a MFA from New York Academy of Art and a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His works have graced the cover of ‘Professional Artist Magazine’ and in ‘The Artists' Magazine’ among other publications. He has work in the public collections of King Charles III, Amazon Web Services, Ford's Theater, Capital One Bank, Dominion Bank, as well as hundreds of private collections around the world. He is a 2-time recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Grant for Outstanding Figurative Art, a Prince of Wales Fellow, and a Maryland State Arts Council Grant awardee. He is also a life-long teacher, having taught at Maryland Institute College of Art, George Washington University, George Mason University, and others. In 2013 he founded The Compass Atelier in Rockville, MD in order to teach a cohesive curriculum of artistic study of his own design. The school and its unique curriculum are proving to be a game-changer taking students, many of whom had little to no prior experience, to a professional practice in just 3 years of part-time study. Recent graduates have gone on to earn top prizes, regularly sell their work, and gain gallery representation.
Artist Statement
Glen Kessler is an artist who is passionate about craftsmanship and conceptual depth. In a career that spans over 20 years, he has painted many subjects. In 2010, Kessler developed a unique series of works that push the limits of reality: CircuitScapes.
In his CircuitScape series, Kessler explores in oil paint the similarities between computer circuitry and the urban landscape. The visual similarities are uncanny at what Kessler calls 'street level,' revealing highways, buildings, valleys and oceans. But it is the metaphorical connections between these two worlds that he finds most compelling. As Western culture evolves through its digital adolescence, the boundaries of right and wrong, good and evil, faith and reason are being rewritten. Kessler uses edgy compositions, a bold color palette, and his trademark bokeh (photo-informed blur), to push viewers to edge of hope and uncertainty that defines this brave new world.
Resume
Education
MFA, Painting New York Academy of Art summa cum laude, 2005
BFA, Painting Maryland Institute College of Art summa cum laude, 1998
Yale at Norfolk Summer School of Art, 1997
Awards
1st Place Invitational Category “Paint the Town Art Show” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2018
Third Place - "5th Annual South-Atlantic Juried Exhibition" Montpelier Center for the Arts Montpelier, VA, 2018 Juror: Kristen Peyton, Curator of the Flippo Gallery at Randolph-Macon College
Third Place - "National Juried Art Exhibition" Academy Center of the Arts Lynchburg, VA, 2018
Third Place - “Small Works Show” Gallery North Edmonds, WA, 2018
First Place, Oils - "Rockville Art League Winter Show" Glenview Mansion Rockville, MD, 2017, Juror: Dr Lorena Bradford, Head of Accessible Programs at the National Gallery of Art
Second Place - “Small Works Show” Gallery North Edmonds, WA, 2017
Honorable Mention – “Art As Politics” Touchstone Gallery Washington, DC, 2016, Juror: Jayme McLellan, Civilian Art Project
Winner of the 1st Annual Invitational Category “Paint the Town Art Show” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2015
Artist of the Month – August TheArtList.com, 2015
Finalist – Abstract/Experimental Category “The Artist’s Magazine 32nd Annual Art Competition”, 2015
Montgomery County Grant to Individual Artist, 2015
Finalist – Abstract/Experimental Category “The Artist’s Magazine 27th Annual Art Competition”, 2014
Semi-finalist – Bethesda Painting Awards Bethesda, MD, 2014
Honorable Mention – “Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2014, Juror: Phillip Kennicott, chief Art and Architecture Critic of The Washington Post
Honorable Mention – “Remade/Recycled” Washington ArtWorks Gallery Rockville, MD, 2014
Award of Merit – “Mid-Atlantic Art Exhibition” d’Art Center Norfolk, VA, 2014
Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in Visual Arts: Painting, 2013
Best In Show, “Paint the Town Art Show 2013” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2013
Second Place – “Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington DC, 2013, Juror: Jack Rassmussen, Director and Curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center
Third Prize - “Will’s Creek Survey” Saville Gallery Cumberland, MD, 2013, Juror: Lauren Schell Dickens, assistant curator of contemporary art at the Corcoran Gallery of Art
First Place – Abstract/Experimental Category “The Artist’s Magazine 27th Annual Art Competition”, 2012
First Place – Paintings, “National Juried Exhibition” Lancaster County Art Association Strasburg, PA, 2012
Best In Show, “15th Annual Celebration of the Arts” Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, 2012
Best In Show, “Paint the Town Art Show 2012” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2012
Prince of Wales Fellowship for travel to Balleroy, France, 2004
Top Scholarship New York Academy of Art, 2003
Elizabeth Greenshields Grant, 1998 & 2000
Numerous Best in Show Awards Maryland Federation of Art, 1999-2003
Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship for study at Yale University Summer School, 1997
Solo Exhibitions
“CircuitScapes” Artists & Makers Studios Rockville, MD, 2018
“CircuitScapes” New Masters Art Gallery Rockville, MD, 2017
“CircuitScapes” Hillyer Art Space Washington, DC, 2015
“CircuitScapes” Popcorn Gallery @ Glen Echo Park Glen Echo, MD, 2014
Fisher Gallery @ NVCC Alexandria, VA, 2014
“A Modern Perspective” Blackrock Center for the Arts Germantown, MD, 2013
"The Modern World" Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2013
“The Modern World” Montpelier Center for the Arts Montpelier, VA, 2013
“Command-Shift-3” Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 2012
“Seasons Change” The Arts Barn Kentlands, MD, 2009
“The Inherent Distortion of Perception” Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 2008
“Maryland Landscapes” Carroll County Art Council Westminster, MD, 2001
“Figures and Other Works” Maryland Federation of Art City Gallery Baltimore, MD, 2000
“Attic Space” Plaza Artist Materials Rockville, MD, 1999
“Landscapes” Maryland Federation of Art Gallery on the Circle Annapolis, MD, 1998
“Recent Landscapes” Cafe Monet Kensington, MD, 1996
“Recent Work” The Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 1995
Group Exhibitions
“At 4(Four)” Artists & Makers Studios Rockville, MD, 2019
“March Exhibition” Priddy Library Rockville, MD, 2019
“Small Works Juried Show” Gallery North Edmonds, WA, 2019
“Night” Strathmore Center for the Arts North Bethesda, MD, 2019
“Lavender Fields Forever” Artists & Makers 2 Rockville, MD, 2018
"Le Salon" The Artist Gallery Frederick, MD, 2018
"Old School / New Concept" The Athenaeum Gallery Alexandria, VA, 2018
"Myth, Fantasy, and the Human Psyche" Open Space Gallery Rockville, MD, 2018
“Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2018
"5th Annual South-Atlantic Juried Exhibition" Montpelier Center for the Arts Montpelier, VA, 2018
"National Juried Art Exhibition" Academy Center of the Arts Lynchburg, VA, 2018
“City Limits” Principle Gallery Alexandria, VA, 2018
“Small Works Juried Show” Gallery North Edmonds, WA, 2018
“At 3(Three)” Artists & Makers Studios Rockville, MD, 2018
“Size Doesn’t Matter” Glave Kocen Gallery Richmond, VA, 2018
"National Juried Show" Delaplaine Visual Arts Center Frederick, MD, 2017
“Small Works Show” Gallery North Edmonds, WA, 2017
“TAG squared” The Artists Gallery Frederick, MD, 2017
“Local Art, Local Eats” Principle Gallery Alexandria, VA, 2017
“At 2(Two)” Artists & Makers Studios Rockville, MD, 2017
“Small Works” New Masters Art Gallery Rockville, MD, 2017
“Size Doesn’t Matter” Glave Kocen Gallery Richmond, VA, 2017
“Small Works” Principle Gallery Alexandria VA, 2016
“Grand Opening Exhibition” New Masters Art Gallery Rockville, MD, 2016
“Under 500” Maryland Art Place Baltimore, MD, 2016
“35th Anniversary Exhibition” Maryland Art Place Baltimore, MD, 2016
“Artomatic” Potomac, VA, 2016
“Small Works” Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 2016
“25th Annual National Exhibition” Art Institute & Gallery Salisbury, MD, 2016
“Art As Politics” Touchstone Gallery Washington, DC, 2016
“Maryland Artist Registry Juried Exhibition” Maryland Art Place Baltimore, MD, 2016
“Paint the Town Art Show 2015” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2015
“9th Annual Summer Exhibition” Flowers Gallery New York, NY, 2015
“Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2015
“DC Realists: The Best Realists from the DC Area” Artworks Fine Art Studio Bethesda, MD, 2015
“Size Doesn’t Matter” GlaveKocen Gallery Richmond, VA, 2015
“Urban Aspect” Principle Gallery Alexandria VA, 2014
“Affordable Art Fair” The Tunnel New York, NY, 2014
“Faculty Exhibition” MICA Baltimore, MD, 2014
“Remade/Recycled” Washington ArtWorks Rockville, MD, 2014
“Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2014
“Burst of Color” Capitol Arts Network Rockville, MD, 2014
“Gateway to Imagination: A National Juried Art Competition”, Farmington Museum Farmington, NM, 2014
“Mid-Atlantic Art Exhibition” d’Art Center Norfolk, VA, 2014
“24th Annual National Juried Art Exhibition” Academy of Fine Arts, Lynchburg, VA, 2014
“24 + 24” Waverly Street Gallery Bethesda, MD, 2014
“Paint the Town Art Show 2013” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2013
“#WeTweetArt” artdc.com gallery Hyattsville, MD, 2013
“Will’s Creek Survey” Saville Gallery Cumberland, MD, 2013
“AWSome Art Show” Amazon Web Services Herndon, VA, 2013
“MICA--Then/Now” Kunsthalle Beacon Beacon, NY, 2013
“Summer Exhibition 2013” Allegra LaViola Gallery New York, NY, 2013
“MD Art @ College Park” The Art Gallery @ UMD College Park, MD, 2013
“Regional Juried Exhibition” Hill Center Galleries Washington, DC, 2013
“Annual National Juried Art Exhibition” Academy of Fine Arts Lynchburg, VA, 2013
“Masur Museum of Art 50th Annual Juried Competition” Masur Museum of Art Monroe, LA, 2013
“Single Fare 3” RH Gallery New York, NY, 2013
“Life’s Impressions” The Writer’s Center Bethesda, MD, 2013
“Small Wonders” MFA Gallery on the Circle Annapolis, MD, 2012
“Paint the Town Art Show 2012” Kensington Armory Kensington, MD, 2012 *
“Berks Art Alliance 35th Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition” GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Reading, PA, 2012
“XL-XS” The Art Gallery @ UMD College Park, MD, 2012
“2012 Summer Show” Flowers Gallery New York, NY, 2012
“Lancaster County Art Association National Juried Exhibition” Lancaster County Art Association Strasburg, PA, 2012 *
“101st Annual Exhibition, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts” Mystic Arts Center Mystic, CT, 2012
“Art-o-Matic” Arlington, VA, 2012
“15th Annual Celebration of the Arts” Montpelier Center for Arts and Education Montpelier, VA, 2012 *
“Art-o-Matic” Frederick, MD, 2011
“25 Emerging Artists To Watch” Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 2011
*=Best In Show
Gallery Representation
Artists on Market Gaithersburg, MD, 2019-2020
GlaveKocen Gallery Richmond, VA, 2014-2019
New Masters Art Gallery Rockville, MD, 2016-2018
Discovery Galleries Bethesda, MD, 2008-2012
Collections
HRH King Charles III
Ford’s Theatre
Capital One Bank
Dominion Bank
Amazon Web Services
The George Washington University, Trustee
Yale University, Trustee
Boston University
Maryland Institute College of Art
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Hundred of private collections throughout US, Canada, UK, France, Israel, Australia
Teaching Experience
The Compass Atelier Rockville, MD 2013-present
Capitol Arts Network/Washington ArtWorks Rockville, MD, 2013-2015
Yellow Barn Studio Glen Echo, MD, 2008-2015
Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD, 2007-2014
George Mason University Fairfax, VA, 2006-08
George Washington University Washington, DC, 2006-07
Maryland Institute College of Art Pre-College Program Baltimore, MD, 2001-06
Yellow Barn Studio Glen Echo, MD, 2001
Boston University Boston, MA, 2000-01
Maryland Institute College of Art (Teaching Assistant) Baltimore, MD, 1998
Sparrows Point High School (Artist-in-Residence) Essex, MD, 1998
Tilghman Island Painting Workshop Tilghman Island, MD, 1996
Juror Experience
“Olney Art Association Fall Exhibition“ Bohrer Park Gaithersburg, MD, 2022
“Potomac Valley Watercolorists Fall Exhibition” Brookside Gardens Wheaton, MD, 2022
“Collaboration“ Falls Church Arts Falls Church, VA, 2022
“Women’s Club of Chevy Chase Exhibition“ Chevy Chase, MD, 2022
“Paint The Town” Montgomery Art Association Kensington, MD, 2019
“Hot/Cold” Gallery Underground Crystal City, VA, 2018
“Winter Show” Potomac Valley Watercolorists Fairfax, VA, 2017
Resident Artist Review Panel Torpedo Factory Alexandria, VA, 2017
“Cabin Fever” Art League of Germantown Kentlands, MD, 2017
“Summer Show” Capitol Hill Art League Washington, DC, 2016
“40th Annual Member’s Show” Olney Art Association Olney, MD, 2014
“Paint The Town” Montgomery Art Association Kensington, MD, 2014
“Women’s Club of Potomac Open Exhibition” Potomac, MD, 2014
“Cityscapes” Leading Artists Gallery online, 2013
“Frederick Festival of the Arts” Frederick Arts Council Frederick, MD, 2012
“Art Competition Color & Light” Leading Artists Gallery online, 2012
“Barnstormer’s Paint Out” Frederick County Landmarks Foundation Frederick, MD, 2010
“Annual Members Exhibition” Rockville Art League Rockville, MD, 2010
“Annual Private School Exhibition” Landon School Bethesda, MD, 2009
“8th Annual Montgomery County High School Show” Yellow Barn Gallery Glen Echo, MD, 2008
“Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association Annual Show” Kentlands Mansion Gaithersburg, MD, 2008
Lectures/Presentations
“How to Start a Landscape Painting“ Laurel Art Guild Laurel, MD, 2022
“Color Theory Made Simple“ Loudon Sketch Club Loudon, VA, 2022
“How to Start a Landscape Painting“ Kensington Labor Day Art Show Kensington, MD, 2022
“Member Critiques“ Olney Art Association Olney, MD, 2022
“Pet Portrait Painting” McLean Society of Artists McLean, VA, 2018
“Creative Marketing for the Emerging Artist” Art League of Germantown Germantown, MD, 2017
“Simple Steps for Success” Rockville Art League Rockville, MD, 2017
“How To See And Mix Color With Certainty” Plaza Artist Materials Rockville, MD, 2017
“How To See And Mix Color With Certainty” Art League of Germantown Germantown, MD, 2017
“Marketing Strategies for Emerging Artists” Washington Calligrapher’s Guild, 2016
“How Art Has Been Taught Through The Ages” Gaithersburg Fine Art Association Montgomery Village, MD, 2016
“How To See And Mix Color With Certainty” Laurel Art Guild Laurel, MD, 2016
“How To See And Mix Color With Certainty” Montgomery Art Association Rockville, MD, 2016
“How To See And Mix Color With Certainty” Gaithersburg Fine Art Association Montgomery Village, MD, 2015
“Marketing Strategies for Emerging Artists” Montgomery Art Association Rockville, MD, 2015
“Old Master Techniques” Olney Art Association Olney, MD, 2015
“How Jurors Think” Montgomery Art Association Rockville, MD, 2014
“Marketing Strategies for Emerging Artists” Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association Montgomery Village, MD, 2014
“Meaning in Art” Rockville Art League Rockville, MD, 2013
“Photography in the Service of Painting” Art League of Germantown Germantown, MD, 2013
“Major Café” Maryland Institute College of Art, 2013
“Photography in the Service of Painting” Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association Montgomery Village, MD, 2012
“Glen Kessler Art and Teaching” Rockville High School Rockville, MD, 2012
“Major Café” Maryland Institute College of Art, 2011
“Color Theory” Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association Montgomery Village, MD, 2010
Press
“In the Galleries” The Washington Post by Mark Jenkins https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/in-the-galleries-small-universes-and-a-large-cosmos-at-greater-reston-arts-center/2018/08/31/, 2018
“These Cityscapes Hold A Secret” BoredPanda.com by Carolyn Edlund http://www.boredpanda.com/these-cityscapes-hold-a-secret/, 2017
“Artworks” on Maryland Public Television, 2017
“Artomatic: The Review” by Lenny Campello http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/2016/11/artomatic-2016-review.html, 2016
“East City Artnotes: Art as Politics at Touchstone Gallery” by Eric Hope http://www.eastcityart.com/reviews/east-city-artnotes-art-politics-touchstone-gallery/, 2016
“The Beholder’s Eye” Professional Artist Magazine by Lis Zadravec, 2016
“Artist Interview: Glen Kessler” Lori Anne Boocks: Abstract Paintings, Interviews, and More by Lori Anne Boocks & Glen Kessler, 2015
Professional Artist Magazine, June/July issue (cover art & article) ‘Marketing Plan: Artist Case Study’ by Jodi Walsh, 2014
Artsyshark.com ‘What’s the Best Way to Learn Art’ by Glen Kessler http://www.artsyshark.com/2014/04/17/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-art/, 2014
Artists Speak ‘The Academy Program: What if You Never Had to Take an Art Class Again?’ by Bora Mici http://arttistsspeak.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-academy-program-what-if-you-never.html, 2014
Artsyshark.com ‘Featured Artist Glen Kessler’ by Carolyn Edlund http://www.artsyshark.com/2013/08/02/featured-artist-glen-kessler/, 2013
Ergo ‘Re-Wired: An Interview with Artist Glen Kessler’ by Ariel Hsu, 2013
Artsyshark.com ‘Create Your Own Art Book’ by Carolyn Edlund http://www.artsyshark.com/2013/04/05/art-book/, 2013
Bethesda Magazine ‘Capitol Arts Network’, 2013
The Artist’s Magazine ‘29th Annual Arts Competition Winners’ www.artistsmagazine.com, 2012
‘Art-o-matic 2012: The Review!!’ by Lenny Campello http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/2012/06/artomatic-2012-review.html, 2012
Bethesda Patch ‘Creating Collaborative Artwork At Yellow Barn’ by Bora Mici http://bethesda.patch.com/articles/coming-together-again, 2012
Artists Speak Interview with Bora Mici http://arttistsspeak.blogspot.com/2012/03/glen-kessler.html, 2012
Potomac Gazette ‘Painting the Town’ by Topher Forhecz http://www.gazette.net/article/20110831/ENTERTAINMENT/708319928/1153/1153/painting- the-town&template=gazette, 2011
The Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery Official Weblog http://yellowbarnstudio.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html, 2011
Bethesda Patch ‘Yellow Barn Embraces Environmental Stewardship’ by Bora Mici http://bethesda.patch.com/articles/yellow-barn-embraces-environmental- stewardship, 2011
Potomac Gazette ‘Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo introduces students to a world of color’ by Cody Calamaio http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/01262011/chevnew205151_32547.php, 2011
Bethesda Patch ‘Artwork Comes to Life at Yellow Barn’ by Bora Mici http://bethesda.patch.com/articles/artwork-comes-to-life-at-yellow-barn, 2011
Bethesda Magazine ‘Creative Juices’ by Steve Roberts http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/July-August- 2008/Creative-Juices/, 2008
Carroll County Gazette Review of exhibition at Carroll County Art Council, 2001
Maryland Institute College of Art Catalog Feature article and artwork reproduced, 1999
The Baltimore Sun ‘Licensed reproduction At the BMA, students learn from the masters by reproducing their work - stroke by stroke’ by Glenn McNatt http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1998-07-12/features/1998193005_1_painting- copying-museum-of-art, 1998