Education
2006
MFA Painting, Hunter College, New York, NY
2001
BFA Painting and Drawing, summa cum laude, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, CO
1993
BS English, Art History Minor, cum laude, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Additional Courses/Education
2021
Back in Black(letter), San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA
2008
Bookmaking, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, AZ
1992
Art History Studies and Gallery Internship at Francis Graham Dixon Gallery, Boston University London Internship Programme, London, England
Alternative Publishing – Artist Books, Zines, Multiples
2023
Launched The Red Awl – a bricks and mortar project space, Clarkdale, AZ
2022
Co-founded Slag Heap Books, and The Red Awl
Solo Exhibitions
2012
Stacks, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO
2009
Everything Has Its Place, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO [handmade exhibition publication]
2006
Pitch Shift, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO
2003
Synesthesia, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver, CO
2002
Karen McClanahan: New Paintings, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver, CO
2001
32/26 (with Jonathan Stiles), Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019
The Nth Dimension, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver, CO
2011
Tone – an evening of experimental jazz, words and color-fueled painting, The Dale Building, Flagstaff, AZ
2010
Excellencies, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO
2008
UNspoken, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
2007
Art Miami with Plus Gallery, Miami, FL [exhibition publication]
2006
34 Artists One Gallery – Thesis Show, Hunter College Times Square Gallery, New York, NY [exhibition publication]
Fine Art Alumni Invitational Exhibit, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, CO
Directions in Abstraction, Edge Gallery, Denver, CO
2005
Selections, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO
MAs Select MFAs, Hunter College Times Square Gallery, New York, NY
2004
Kinetic: New Media and Painting, Bank Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Scope Los Angeles with Bank Gallery, The Standard Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
The State of the Union, Zeile Judish Gallery, Denver, CO
Scope New York with Cornell DeWitt Gallery, Hotel Gansevoort, New York, NY
Next: New American Paintings, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, NE
2003
Women on Painting, Cornell DeWitt Gallery, New York, NY
Contemporary American Artists in Bangalore, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Arts Complex, Bangalore, India
Wall Drug, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver, CO
Momentum, Fresh Art, Denver, CO [exhibition publication]
2002
Flat Out, Cornell DeWitt Gallery, New York, NY
Urbanity, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, CO [exhibition publication]
Rocky Mountain Biennial, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, CO
Colorado 2002: A Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO
White, Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
2001
Grand Opening, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver, CO
Force Future, Raven’s Nest Gallery, Denver, CO
Post Point, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver, CO
Annual Juried Show, Spark Gallery, Denver, CO
Selected Exhibitions in Print, Site Specific, Television
2007
New American Paintings, juried exhibition-in-print #72 [print] [online]
2005
New American Paintings, juried exhibition-in-print #60 [print] [online]
2003
Cosmopolitan and Cordell Taylor Gallery, Daniels and Fisher Tower, Denver, CO
2003
Paintings rented for filming on the set of the television show “Touched By An Angel”, (CBS) season 9, episode 14, aired 02/08/03
2002
On view – Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Offices – ground floor, Denver, CO June
Tabling History
2023
Fandomania, Findlay Toyota Center, Prescott Valley, AZ (August 12) [tabled as The Red Awl]
Verde Valley Comic Expo, Cottonwood Recreation Center, Cottonwood, AZ (March 25) [tabled as The Red Awl]
2022
Fandomania, Findlay Toyota Center, Prescott Valley, AZ (August 13) [tabled as The Red Awl]
Verde Valley Comic Expo, Cottonwood Recreation Center, Cottonwood, AZ (March 26) [tabled as Slag Heap Books]
Selected Artist Talks and Lectures
2019
The Richert Effect – panel conversation, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, CO
2010
Defining Art – arts presenter, Flagstaff Leadership Program, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
2009
Modern and Contemporary Art, Forest Highlands Community Foundation – presentation to members, Flagstaff, AZ
2008
Defining Art – arts presenter, Flagstaff Leadership Program, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
2006
Pitch Shift – artist talk, Plus Gallery, Denver, CO
2003
Synesthesia – artist talk, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver CO
Slide Jam – a five-minute slide presentation, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver CO
2002
Urbanity – artist panel discussion, Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, CO
New Paintings – artist talk, Cordell Taylor Gallery, Denver, CO
Awards
2007
Westword, Best of Denver – Best Group Gallery Show for Directions in Abstraction at Edge Gallery, Denver, CO
2002
Westword, Best of Denver – Best Emerging Artist/Group Show for 32/26 at Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
Selected Bibliography
2012
untitledartshow.com, audio podcast #188, September
2009
MacMillan, Kyle. “Abstractionist at her best in the new venue.” (review) The Denver Post (March 22) [ill.]
MacMillan, Kyle. “Gallery reopens with a splash.” The Denver Post (March 22) [ill.]
Melton, Brian. “Contemporary Cultivation.” Denver Magazine (March 2009) [ill.] [print]
2008
Talsma, Michelle. “More Than Words Can Say.” (review) Flagstaff Live (January 31 – February 6) [ill. cover]
Bruner, Betsey. “Turning Art on its Head.” Arizona Daily Sun (January 20)
Abrahamsen, John. “It’s the Arts.” (review) The Noise (January 2008) [ill.]
“Karen McClanahan,” (artist profile) Flagstaff Cultural Partners.com newsletter (January 2008) [online]
2007
Bitz, Jonathan. “Karen McClanahan.” (artist profile) Denver Syntax.com, issue #11 (May 2007) [ill. cover] [online]
Cash, Stephanie. “Report From Colorado, The Hills are Alive.” Art in America (February 2007)
Faison, Amanda M. “Artist to Watch: Karen McClanahan.” (artist profile) 5280 Magazine (January 2007) [ill.] [print]
2006
Paglia, Michael. “Visual Noise.” (review) Westword (November 9-15)
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “Similarities of painters make show exceptional.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (November 3) [ill.]
Paglia, Michael. “Artbeat.” Westword (April 20)
MacMillan, Kyle. “Room to room, a lovely collision of methods.” (review) The Denver Post (April 14)
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “Abstraction Rules.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (April 7)
Kleinman, Susan. “Mid-country Modern.” Metropolitan Home Magazine (April 2006) [ill.] [print]
2004
O’Brien, John. “Kinetic.” (review) Artscenecal.com (November 2004) [ill.] [online]
France, Erica. “Karen McClanahan at Cordell Taylor Gallery.” (review) Art in America (April 2004) [ill.] [print]
Kobayashi, Kana. “NY Arts Student Page.” (artist profile) New York Arts Magazine (March-April 2004) [ill.]
Hassebroek, Ashley. “Bemis Exhibit is Showcase of Originality.” (review) Omaha World Herald (May 14) [ill.]
Logan, Casey. “Next: Good Point of Demarcation.” The Reader (March 4-10)
2003
Paglia, Michael. “Under the Influence.” (review) Westword (September 25) [ill.]
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “In a New, New Vein.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (September 19)
MacMillan, Kyle. “Young Artist’s Exhibit Shows She’s One to Watch.” (review) The Denver Post (September 12) [ill.]
MacMillan, Kyle. “Paint the town Red.” The Denver Post (August 31) [ill.]
Reed, John. “Critics’ Picks.” (review) Artforum.com (August 21) [online]
Paglia, Michael. “Moving on up.” Westword (January 23)
2002
MacMillan, Kyle. “Colorado art in spotlight at New York show ‘Flat Out’.” (review) The Denver Post (September 13)
MacMillan, Kyle. “Paintings test the eyes but show obvious skill.” (review) The Denver Post (June 19)
Phillips, Sandra. “Powerful, Intense and Diverse.” LoDo and Downtown Denver News (June 2002)
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “Striking Exhibit Tests Sense of Balance.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (May 31) [ill.]
Paglia, Michael. “Thoroughly Modern Painting.” (review) Westword (May 23) [ill.]
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “Yardbirds Gather Indoors.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (February 20)
Paglia, Michael. “City Focus: Ambitious Moves.” Artnews (January 2002)
2001
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “Young Artists Worth a Look.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (December 21) [ill.]
Paglia, Michael. “Straight Ahead.” (review) Westword (December 13)
Gluckstern, J. “Wit Unites Work in ‘Force Future’.” (review) Boulder Daily Camera (April 8) [ill.]
Chandler, Mary Voelz. “New Day Dawns at Contemporary.” (review) Rocky Mountain News (March 23)
Born in Flagstaff, AZ (1969)
Lives in Cottonwood, AZ
Works in Clarkdale, AZ