About the Artist

John K. Claes was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He began painting in high school, and went on to complete his B.A. at California State University, Stanislaus. He then earned his M.F.A. in painting and drawing from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Since graduating, he has received numerous awards, both regionally and nationally and has shown his paintings and drawings regularly in many solo and group shows. He currently resides with his wife in Turlock, California where he also maintains his studio.

Education

1995 Masters of Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing. University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

1992 Bachelors of Arts, Studio Art. California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, California

Awards

• 2000 First Place, Tracy Art Association Juried Show
• 1999 Honorable Mention, Central California Art League Spring Show
• 1998 Honorable Mention, Stockton National
• 1997 Third Place, Central California Art League Spring Show
• 1997 First Place, Central California Art League Spring Show
• 1997 Best of Show, Turlock City Arts Commission Spring Art Exhibition
• 1996 Second Place, Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts
• 1996 Third Place, Central California Arts League Spring Show
• 1996 Best of Show, Yosemite Renaissance XI

Solo Exhibitions

2003

• New Works, First Street Frame Company, Turlock, California
• New Paintings & Drawings, The Vault, Sonora, California

2001

• Recent Works, First Street Frame Company, Turlock, California
• New Works, The Vault, Sonora, California

1999

• Central California Art League, Modesto,
• First Street Frame and Gallery, Turlock, California
• Heart of the Arts Gallery, Stockton, California

1997

• Carnegie Center for the Arts, Turlock,
• Trio Gallery, Portland, Oregon

1996

• Sumitomo Bank, Sacramento, California

Selected Group Exhibitions

2000-2003

• Plein Air Painters in the Foothills, The Vault, Sonora, California
• The Big Stuff Show, The Vault, Sonora California
• The Miniature Show, The Vault, Sonora California

2000

• California Central California Arts League Spring Show, Gallo Gallery, Modesto, California
• Tracy Art Association Juried Show, Tracy, California

1999

• Central California Arts League Spring Show, Gallo Gallery, Modesto, California

1998

• Crooker-Kingsley Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento,
• California Stockton National, Haggin Museum, Stockton,
• California Local Talent, McHenry Museum, Modesto,
• California Central California Arts League Spring Show, Gallo Gallery, Modesto,
• California Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts, Circle Gallery, Madera, California
• Turlock City Art Commission’s Spring Art Exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock, California

1997

• Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts, Circle Gallery, Madera, California Central
• California Arts League Spring Show, Gallo Gallery, Modesto, California
• Turlock City Art Commission’s Spring Art Exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock, California

1996

• California National, 750 Gallery, Sacramento, California
• Yosemite Renaissance XI, Yosemite Museum Gallery, Yosemite,
• California Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts, Circle Gallery, Madera,
• California Central California Arts League Spring Show, Gallo Gallery, Modesto, California
• Turlock City Art Commission’s Spring Art Exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock, California

1995

• Recent MFA’s from North Carolina, Weizenblatt Gallery, Mars Hill College, Ashville, North Carolina
• The New Breed Three, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, North Carolina
• MFA Thesis Exhibition, Weatherspoon Art Gallery, The University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina

1992

• The Last Show, University Art Gallery, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, California