Mike Keene received a BFA from the University of Texas and an MA from the University of Northern Colorado, studying sculpture and photography.
Mike’s ceramic sculptures celebrate a passion for the beauty and mystery of nature and a fascination with the art and architecture of different civilizations that express a cultural narrative tradition.
The sculptural ceramics, combine hand building techniques, altered extruded forms with carving, stamped textures and glaze.
The digital paintings are photographs of the sculptures that have been digitally altered, drawn and painted to form an alternate expression of the themes in the sculptures.
Mike’s home and studio are in Lakewood, CO.
Partial Resume
Education
University of Texas, BFA, Graphic Design
University of Northern CO, MA in Visual Arts
Artist Workshops
Procreate Master Class, online, Digital Ilustration, 2022, ongoing
Adrian Arleo, La Meridiana, Certaldo, Italy, Oct. 2018
Additional workshops,
Max Leyman, Barry Rose, David Regan, Shalene Valenzuela, Arthur Gonzalez, Wesley Anderegg, Brad Miller, Richard Notkin, Nick Joerling
Solo Exhibitions
Aug - Sep 2024 - Other Worlds, Valkarie Gallery, Lakewood, CO
Aug.- Sep. 2023 - Nature Of Clay, Valkarie Gallery, Lakewood CO
Apr. 2022 - The Language of Trees, Brdg Gallery, Denver
Dec. 2021 - Narratives - Ceramic Sculpture, Brdg Gallery, Denver CO
April 2012, New Work in Sculpture and Digital Art, Sellars Project Space, Denver, CO
Sep. 2010, What You Want Are Answers When All I have Are Questions, Zip 37 Gallery, Denver, CO
Feb. 2009, New Work, Zip 37 Gallery, Denver, CO
Sep. 2009, Meet the Beetles, Zip 37 Gallery, Denver, Colorado
Group Exhibitions
Sep - Nov, 2024 - Mugshot, Artistic Drinking Vessels, Arvada Center, Arvada, CO
Oct. 2022 - present, Ongoing, Member gallery, Valkarie Gallery , Lakewood, CO
Dec 2021 - Ceramic Sculpture, BRDG Gallery, Denver CO
Mar 2022 - Language of Trees, BRDG Gallery, Denver CO
Sep. 2022 - Creature Comforts, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver
Jul 2022 - Animal Kingdom, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver
July 2021 - Viral Influences, Arvada Center, Arvada CO
Aug 2021- SEEN, Perspectives in Photography, Edge Gallery, Lakewood CO
July 2019 - Elements, 40 West Gallery, Lakewood CO
Sep. 2019 - Fantastical, 40 west Gallery, Lakewood CO
May 2018 - Hey Diddle Diddle, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
Jan. 2018 - By Hand, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
Jun. 2017 - Presence/Absence - Lakewood Culture Center, Lakewood, CO,
Jun. 2017 - Fired, Hand Built Clay, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO,
Jan. 2016 - Art of the State, Arvada Center for the Arts, Arvada, CO
Jun. 2015 - Zip 37, 20th Aniversary Show, Zip 37 Gallery, Denver, CO
Nov. 2014 - Take Me With You, John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI
Dec. 2014 - The Mix Artists Small Art Show, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
Jun. 2014 - Holy Moly, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
Feb. 2013, 2014, 2015 - The Mix Artists Annual Show, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
May 2013 to 2015 - MIX Coop, Member at the Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
Sep. 2012 - Fired, Hand Built Clay, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
2006 - 2012 - Various solo and group shows
Festivals and Art Fairs
Aug. 2010, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19 - Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
206, 07, 08, 09,15, 16, 17 - Fine Art Market, Arvada Center for the Arts, Arvada, CO
Jun. 2007, 08, 09, 10, 13- Summer Art Market, Art Students League Of Denver, CO
Aug. 2009 - Loveland Sculpture Invitational, Loveland, CO
Dec. 2007, 08, 16 - Holiday Art Market - Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
Awards and Scholarships
Jun. 2017 - Presence/Absence - Best of Show Award, Lakewood Culture Center, Lakewood, CO
2009 Summer Art Market, Best Creative Expression scholarship award to the Anderson Ranch Art Center
