I make sculptures, drawings, photos, videos, and performances to poetically interpret the complexities of being alive at this time, in this place. I frequently think about how perception and misperception function in contemporary life, shaping our knowledge of the world, each other, and ourselves. Considering the limitations of looking and the distortions of the mind, I am inclined to question the reliability of vision. My work is a venue for that questioning.
My recent projects place rocks in contexts of deception, illusion, ambiguity, and contradiction as ways of thinking about the multifaceted problems of seeing. As materially reliable objects, rocks allow me to exploit our trust in observation. I thwart our confidence in a rock’s physical qualities by making rocks do improbable things like levitate and lighten. I use this simple yet dynamic object to address the slipperiness of perception across many different experiences – specifically being an observed female body, the somatic impacts of optical illusions, and invisible physical connections to the natural world.
Bio
Schaefer was born, raised, and currently lives and works in Denver, Colorado. She earned a B.A. in English Literature and Visual Arts from Regis University. She is a co-founding member of artist-owned and operated TANK Studios, LLC., a sustainable, community-centered studio space for professional artists in Denver. Schaefer is a former board member of Tilt West, a non-profit dedicated to fostering critical dialog in art and culture through roundtable conversations and a publication. Since 2013 Schaefer has directed the Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer Program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design where she curates the annual theme and artists including Miranda July, Andrea Zittel, Judy Chicago, Starlee Kine, Dario Robleto, Sondra Perry, Paul Pfeiffer, Sara Cwynar, Kalup Linzy, Michael Jones McKean, Christine Sun Kim, Kevin Beasley, Lynda Barry, and Kevin Young among many others.
In 2014, Schaefer was listed as one of Denver Westword’s “100 Colorado Creatives” and in 2016 she received Westword’s “Best Of” for her work directing the visiting artist program at RMCAD. Her artwork has been exhibited at numerous locations including the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Colorado Boulder Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Rule Gallery in Marfa, TX, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO. Schaefer was an artist-in-residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center (Denver, CO) and Breckenridge Creative Arts (Breckenridge, CO). In addition to the public speaking she does regularly as the director of a visiting artist program, her public talks and presentations include a Q+A for her solo exhibition Folding and Thrusting at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, a presentation as part of her residency at Breckenridge Creative Arts, and a presentation at the Denver Art Museum’s 20th Annual Symposium in Art and Art History.
Contact
gretchenmarieschaefer@gmail.com
@gretchenmarieschaefer
CV
Selected Exhibitions
2023
Made in Colorado — Juried by Kerry Brougher and Nora Halpern. Experience Gallery, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO.
Breakthroughs: A Celebration of RedLine at 15 – Juried. Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver, CO.
Biennial Faculty + Staff Exhibition – Philip J Steele Gallery, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Denver, CO.
Betting on the Sun – Curated by Bethany Springer. Landmark Arts, Texas Tech University School of Art, Lubbock, TX.
2022
LIKE LIKE, An Exhibition of Current TANK Studios Artists — Rotunda Gallery, RMCAD, Denver, CO
To Infinity & Beyond — Friend of a Friend Gallery, Denver, Co
2021
The Space(s) Between — Vicki Myhren Gallery, University of Denver and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Galleries of Contemporary Art, CO
2019
Folding and Thrusting — (solo) Curated by Cortney Stell. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO
Aftereffect: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Painting — Curated by Elissa Auther. Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver CO
Super Automatic — Curated by Joseph Coniff. Rule Gallery, Marfa, TX
Float — (solo) Old Masonic Hall. Breckenridge Creative Arts, Breckenridge, CO
2018
Made in Colorado – Cameron Gainer and Olga Viso Jurors. Emmanuel Gallery, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO.
A Harder Soft – Juicebox Gallery, Denver, CO
Draw Me In: The Art of Drawing at the CU Art Museum – University of Colorado Boulder Art Museum, Boulder, CO
10X – 10th Anniversary Retrospective Resident Artist Exhibition, RedLine, Denver, CO
Drive-In: Personal Space – Black Cube Nomadic Museum, Denver CO
2017
Cabinet – Curated by Adam Milner. David B. Smith Gallery, Denver, CO
Peep Show — Castle Marne, Denver, CO
2015
The Open Shelf - Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, CO
Jokes of Nature - RedLine, Denver CO
The Humming of Objects - (solo) Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, CO
Attract/Retract/Attract – Vertigo Art Space, Denver, CO
Form Out of Context – Forest Room 5, Denver, CO
Even After Everything – Philip J. Steele Gallery, Denver, CO
Contemporary Colorado: A Survey of Contemporary Art In Colorado – Juried by Nora Burnett Abrams. Curfman Gallery at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Dashing and Crashing – Hyperlink Gallery, Chicago, IL
More Than Friends – Ironton Gallery and Studios, Denver, CO
2013
Exquisite Corpse: Stamped & Mailed – collaboration with Ryan McRyhew, GroundSwell Gallery, Denver, CO
First Draft – Curated by Cortney Lane Stell. Biennial of the Americas, McNichols Building, Denver, CO.
Group Show Vol. 4 – Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
Attempt at Delineation – (Solo) Rude Gallery, RMCAD, Denver, CO
2012
Material Engagements – Curated by Harmony Hammond. RedLine, Denver, CO
Notes on Feeling – Curated by Elissa Auther. RedLine, Denver, CO
Specimens – Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
Inaugural Exhibition: Vol. 2 – Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
2011
AU: Exchange – Curated by Cortney Lane Stell, RedLine, Denver, CO (Catalogue)
2010
RedLine at Republic Plaza – Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Cross Ties Across Time – RedLine, Denver, CO
Cycle – TitWrench Fest, Rhinoceropolis, Denver, CO
2009
Colorado Art Open – Christoph Heinrich and Michael Chavez, Jurors. Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO.
Alumnae Exhibit – Women’s History Month, Regis University, Denver, CO
You of All People, Here of All Places – RedLine, Denver, CO
2008
Eco-Centric – Rule Gallery, Denver, CO
Heritage 2008 - O’Sullivan Art Gallery, Regis University, Denver, CO
2006
Specimens of Lineology – (Solo) National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
Residencies
2019
Breckenridge Creative Arts, Breckenridge, CO
Rule Gallery, Marfa, TX
2009-2012
RedLine, Denver, CO
Curation
2024
Stay the Course by Catherine Haggarty, Philip J. Steele Gallery, RMCAD, Denver, CO.
2024
West of Federal by Esteban Cabeza de Baca, Philip J. Steele Gallery, RMCAD, Denver, CO.
2022
LIKE LIKE: An Exhibition of Current TANK Studios Artists – Rotunda Gallery, RMCAD, Denver, CO.
Awards and Professional Associations
2012-Present
Founding Member – TANK Studios, LLC
2016-2022
Board of Directors – Tilt West
2016-2019
Artist Research Committee – Museum Contemporary Art Denver
2015-2017
Board of Directors – 40 West Arts, Lakewood, CO
2014
Named one of 100 Colorado Creatives – Westword, Denver, CO
2014
TANK Studios, winner of “Best New Artist Studios” – Award by Westword, Denver, CO
2013
Material Engagements, winner of “Best Member Art Show” Award by Westword, Denver, CO
2010-2012
Artist Representative on the Board of Directors – RedLine, Denver
2009-2010
Education/Outreach Committee, Member and Artist Launching the EPIC Arts Program – RedLine, Denver
2005
The William Becker, S.J. Award for Outstanding Paper in Art History – Regis University, Denver, CO
Press
2024
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “Three Compelling painting exhibits, each with a distinctive point of view,” The Denver Post.
2023
Browning, Sommer. “Colorado Artists Shine in Massive Exhibition.” Hyperallergic.
Ferguson, Emily. “MCA Celebrates RedLine’s 15th Anniversary with Blockbuster Exhibition.” Westword.
Malinowski, Faith. “Celebrate RedLine’s 15th Anniversary with Breakthrough Exhibition.” 303 Magazine.
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “Colorful and lively, ‘Made in Colorado’ includes many of the state’s most successful artists working today.” The Denver Post.
2022
Miller, Laura I., “Like Like.” Denver Art Review Inquiry + Analysis (DARIA).
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “’Like Like tells the story of Tank Studios’ 10-year history in Denver.” The Denver Post.
Froyd, Susan. “Art Attack: First Friday Coincides with the Start of Denver Arts Week.” Westword.
2021
Carney, Sean J. Patrick. “DIY vs Beast Mode Capitalism.” Art in America.
2020
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “5 Fast, Free Shows: These art exhibits offer a low-risk, high-yield break from holiday stress.” The Know. The Denver Post.
2019
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “Tracking Georgia O’Keeffe’s influence on artists today at Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art.” The Denver Post.
2018
Westword Staff. “The 21 Best Events in Denver, February 13-19.” Westword.
Rinaldi, Ray Mark. “6 (mostly free) Interactive Art Lectures in Denver That Deserve Your Attention” The Know, The Denver Post.
2015
Paglia, Michael. “Art Review: Jokes of Nature at RedLine Laughs at the Beauty of the Grotesque.” Westword
2014
"Another 100 Colorado Creatives" Westword
Hua, Vivian, “Best Album Covers of the Year.” Redefinemag.com
2013
Froyd, Susan. “Artist-run TANK Studios sets a new precedent in the local art scene.” The Westword.
Education and Additional Training
2005
BFA, English Literature and Visual Arts, Magna Cum Laude – Regis University, Denver, CO.
2004
Semester Abroad – A.C.U., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
2002
Literature and Photography Short-Term Study Abroad – San Giovanni, Italy.
2014
Arts Writing Seminar – Carmen Winant instructor. RedLine, Denver, CO.
2012
Curatorial Workshop – Cortney Stell instructor. RedLine, Denver, CO.
2022
Netvvrk — Paddy Johnson founder.
Emerging Programs Institute — Artist Communities Alliance.
Employment
2021-Present
Creative Programming Director – Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), Denver, CO.
Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts. – Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), Denver, CO.
2013 - Present
Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer Program Director – Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Denver, CO.