Jack Wilson Born 1953

Artist Statement

In the mid 70’s, I saw an episode of Welcome Back Mr Kotter, where a kid was having trouble trying to come up with a subject to write about. Gabe, suggested for him to write about something that he knows about. That idea struck me to trust myself and that it is okay to act with my intuition. My process has pretty much remained the same for the past 40 years. More times than not I begin a work with no particular idea in mind and start by making a mark and then responding to it. My work leaves evidence of time spent and thoughts streamed. I hope the viewer will participate in the work at a shared emotional level.

Education/Progression

Jack Wilson was born June 26, 1953 in Wichita, Kansas. He began creating art at a very early age, with his mother as his primary collector since kindergarten. After graduating high school, Wilson was accepted into Wichita State University; where he earned a BFA in Drawing and Painting and then went on to complete his MFA in Printmaking.

During his time with WSU, Wilson served as an instructor and Gallery Director at the Clayton Staples Memorial Gallery. Wilson is the recipient of many awards and honors including a Kansas Arts Commission/National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Grant in 1988, a $5000 award in fine arts using the Printmaking medium. Wilson’s works have been accepted in numerous invitational exhibitions, and he has received a number of awards in juried shows throughout the nation.

Wilson currently resides in Wichita, Ks where he owns and operates Art & Frame that specializes in picture framing, photo processing, photo retouching and art reproduction services.

Public Collections

Emprise Bank - Wichita, Kansas, KMUW - Wichita, Ks, The Boston Printmakers - Boston, Massachusetts, Knoxville Museum of Art, - Knoxville, Tennessee, Southwest Texas State University - San Marcos, Texas, Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls, Texas, University of Dallas - Irving, Texas, Las Vegas Art Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada, The College of St. Mary - Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa, Western Community College - Council Bluffs, Iowa, Fort Hays State University - Hays, Kansas, Association of Community Arts Councils of Kansas, Topeka, Kansas, Wichita State University - Wichita, Kansas.