Chelsey A. Anderson (she/her/hers) is an artist scholar who lives and works in the DC Metro Area. She makes paintings and drawings that cue the environment, body, spirit, and reference human-made systems that are meshed in an illustrious world of signifiers and personal narratives. Anderson’s work is concerned with questions about how systems impact each other and how an individual is positioned within the collective.
Education
MFA Studio Art, American University, Washington DC | 2022
MA Arts Management, American University, Washington DC | 2016
Graduate Certificate, Technology and Arts Management, American University, Washington DC | 2016
Certificate, Arts in Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville FL | 2014
BFA Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Towson University, Towson MD | 2012
Organizations
Maryland Citizens for the Arts | Advocate, 2013 - 2016 (Maryland Arts Day, Annapolis MD)
Americans for the Arts | Member, 2015 (Arts Advocacy Day, Capitol Hill, Washington DC)
American Alliance of Museums | Member, 2014 (Museums Advocacy Day, Capitol Hill, Washington DC)
Articles & Reviews
“Meet Chelsey Anderson”, Canvas Rebel Magazine | June 5, 2023
Frederick News Post, Frederick MD | May 26, 2021
“every human emotion wants space to be heard…we need stories, we need art, we need spaces where emotions can be heard and not dismissed in order for our data to have more weight”
Artist Statement
I make paintings, drawings, and prints. My studio practice seeks to understand the connection between all human beings, as well as our symbiotic relationship with the physical earth that we occupy. I am interested in what it means to transform as an individual, providing a space to look inward, and what it means to be a catalyst for change in the collective, providing a space to look outward.
The undercurrent of my studio practice acknowledges a metaphysical energy within and surrounding each of us. This shows up in the colors and environments that I create, which lend themselves to nature, balance, and often in reference to a magically charged trinity (i.e., mind, body and spirit; Maiden, Mother and Crone; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, etc.). The tidal currents of my work acknowledge a 3D human experience, that I reflect on from the vantage point of my individual cultural lens. In this space, I continuously seek to unpack privilege and the intersection of what our identities mean in modern-day US culture (as well as what I hope they will mean in the future). I unpack these themes through surreal, theatrical, and drama-based imagery. Figures find themselves in disjointed environments and surrounded by illustrious signifiers. There is often a push/pull between how we experience the weight of human life and deep inner knowledge of the broader collective.
The relationship between spirit and our lived human experiences teaches us different things; wherein, the spirit acknowledges our connection through energy and the physical earth that we occupy, while in contrast our human experiences often teach us that we are different and divided by fear. My artwork is about the journey and story of “the individual”, who awakens through social and self-interrogation, in order to find themselves as a new being within the collective.
CV
Invited & Featured Exhibition
Rose-colored Alchemy, DISTRICT Arts, Frederick MD | 2021
Solo Exhibition
Cells & Souls, Towson University Storage Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012
Movement & Change, Towson University Storage Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012
Presentation of New Works, Schezuan Café, Glen Burnie MD | 2012
Get There (site-specific installation), Towson University Center for the Arts Grand Hall, Towson MD | 2010
Presentation of New Works, Side Gallery, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Spring MD | 2010
Second Chance (site-specific installation), Towson University Campus Bridge, Towson MD | 2010
Group Exhibition
National Juried Exhibition, The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick MD | 2023
Juried by Foon Sham, Sculptor and Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park
Imagine Hope, Center for Hope, Baltimore MD | 2022 (Artwork donation for their Permanent Collection)
Out of Order, 2nd Virtual Auction Event by Maryland Art Place (MAP), Baltimore MD | 2021
Free Punch & Pie, Featured in-person and virtually in AU Museum@Home, American University Museum, Washington DC | 2021
Actual Dilemma, MFA Thesis Exhibition featured virtually through the AU Department of Art, Washington DC | 2020
Phenomena of Identity, Katzen Arts Center, Washington DC | 2020
Peripheral Visions, AU Museum, Washington DC | 2019
Luxberg Jewelers & Art Gallery, Linthicum MD | 2017
Annual Regional Juried Show, Maryland Art Place (MAP), Baltimore MD | 2013
Juried by Kristen Hileman, Curator of Contemporary Art and Department Head at the Baltimore Museum of Art
Flux Capacity, Nudashank Gallery, Baltimore MD | 2012
Reckless Drawing, Towson Commons Gallery, Towson MD | 2012
Towson University Graduating Seniors, Borrowed Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012
Juried Student Art Exhibition, Towson University Main Gallery, Towson MD | 2011
Community Projects
Forest (outdoor mural), Soundplay Music Studio, Silver Spring MD | 2017
All-Seasons Oak (office mural), Little Blue House Events, Wheaton MD | 2017
Artist Vendor, 7th Annual Sykesville Art & Wine Festival, Sykesville, MD | 2017
Light Forest (euthanasia/patient meeting room mural), Huffard Animal Hospital, Pasadena MD | 2017
Artist Vendor, Columbia Festival of Arts, Columbia MD | 2013
Artist Vendor, Annual Laurel Arts Festival, Laurel MD | 2013
Teaching
Visiting Guest Lecturer, “Foundation of Fundraising” Arts Management Graduate Course, American University | 2021
Private Instruction, Art & Design College Prep | 2018-2021
Published Works
Culture Lab Washington DC, “The Current Philanthropic Landscape” | 2017