My mission is to celebrate the beauty in everyday life, capturing moments that inspire joy and reflection, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation.
Jessica Lewis, an American artist from Nashville, TN, began her artistic journey at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Kentucky. Her passion for the craft propelled her to pursue both a BFA and MFA in painting, honing her skills and refining her distinctive style.
She is especially known for her enchanting portraits and inventive approach to art. Jessica draws inspiration from a myriad of sources including memories, literature, and the rich tapestry of human experience. Through her art, she weaves intricate narratives that traverse the realms of outer appearances and inner landscapes, often reflecting upon her own childhood recollections and the joys of motherhood, fostering meaningful intergenerational dialogues.
From commissioned portraits to plein air landscapes, Jessica’s work captivates with its depth and ability to inspire. Her work has garnered widespread recognition, including a notable 2nd place in the Portrait Society of America’s 'Out of The Box' category in 2018. Additionally, Lewis was selected to showcase her work at the esteemed Red Clay Survey in 2020, held at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Recently, Jessica was honored with the title of "Most Original" in the 2022 NOAPS National Juried Exhibition, Best of America Small Works.
Beyond her individual pursuits, Jessica is an active member of the Chestnut Group, a collective dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Middle Tennessee’s cherished landscapes and architectural treasures.
EDUCATION
MFA Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, IL : painting
BFA University of Louisville - Louisville, KY : painting
Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Louisville, KY
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
2023 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Finalist, Landscape, “A Midsummer’s Day”
2023 MACC at the Streets, Group Show, Hendersonville, TN
2023 NATIONAL OIL AND ACRYLIC PAINTER’S SOCIETY, National Juried Exhibition, Best of America International Juried Exhibition, Principal Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia, Merit Award, “Autumn’s Gold”
2022 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Finalist, Outside the Box, “The Madhatter”
2022 NATIONAL OIL AND ACRYLIC PAINTER’S SOCIETY, Fall International Online Exhibition, Finalist, “The Madhatter”
2022 NATIONAL OIL AND ACRYLIC PAINTER’S SOCIETY, National Juried Exhibition, Best of America Small Works, “Dreams Take Flight”, Award-“Most Original”,
Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama
2021 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Finalist, Outside the Box, “Bang!”
2021 CHILDREN EXHIBITION AND PUBLICATION Toronto, Canada
2020 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Tenth Place, Commissioned Portrait, “The Places We Go”
2020 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Finalist, Outside the Box, “Dreams Take Flight”
2020 EN PLEIN AIR, Regional Juried Exhibition, Cheekwood Museum, Nashville, TN
2020 ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA 2020 EXHIBITION, 107th Annual International Juried Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
2020 ARTFIELDS, Lake City, SC
2020 RED CLAY SURVEY, 2020 Exhibition of Contemporary Southern Art, Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
2019 FALL INTERNATIONAL ONLINE EXHIBITION, International Juried Exhibition, National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society
2019 ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA 2019 EXHIBITION, International Juried Exhibition Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
2019 2019 REGIONAL JURIED ART EXPOSITION, First Place, Non-aqueous, “Flamingo Fever”, Clarksville, TN
2019 OWN A PART OF THE PARKS, Centennial Part Conservancy and The Chestnut Group,Nashville, TN
2018 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members Only, Second Place, Outside the Box, “The Space Between Us”
2018 PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA, National Juried Exhibition, Members OnlyFinalist, Commissioned Portrait, “Lylah”
2014 FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING, National Juried Exhibition, Second Place Customs House Museum, Clarksville, IL
2011 FINE SWINE ART, Regional Juried Exhibition, Louisville Visual Art Association, Louisville, KY
2010 CENTRAL SOUTH ART EXHIBITION NATIONAL, Publix Charities Foundation Award, Tennessee Art League, Nashville, TN
2010 WATER TOWER REGIONAL, Regional Juried Exhibition, Louisville Visual Art Association, Louisville, KY
2009 THE BACON SHOW, Mew Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2005 SWEET MEAT, solo exhibition, Fresco Gallery, Edwardsville, IL
RELATED
2020-present Instructor at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Goodlettsville, TN
2020 “Workshop: En plein air”, Chestnut Group, On Track Studios, Nashville, TN
2020 “Workshop: En plein air for beginners” Cheekwood, Nashville, TN
2019 “Workshop: En plein air-An Introduction”, Parthenon at Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
2005-09, 1999-2002 FINE ART PAINTER, SCULPTOR, AND SUPERVISOR: Weber Group Inc., a design and build company specializing in creating immersive spaces and enriching experiences in theme park, waterparks, zoos, museums, aquariums, and science centers.