About Jane Michalski
Artistic Statement
As I was growing up, my family valued the outdoors. I had many experiences that were immersive in the natural world. Those kinds of exposures to sights and sounds and the raw beauty of our planet awakened a love of knowing, feeling, and observing that feeds my soul.
I feel a deep appreciation for the value and beauty of all things and want to be able to express those feelings through making art. As I have pursued my career as an artist, I have had the support of my loved ones, for which I am deeply grateful.
Biography
I have a BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where I met my husband, Frank. I later earned a master’s degree in Art Education from the University of Illinois, while Frank completed his master’s in Architecture. It was only natural that we moved to Chicago, eventually settling in the Logan Square neighborhood.
I have a deep connection to this community, befriending other residents and artists in the neighborhood. I volunteered as an Advisory Council member for a local park, curated shows in the early days of the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival, served as a member of the board for the Logan Square Chamber of Arts, and acted as the Program Director and Visual Arts Curator for the Hairpin Arts Center. I am currently on the board of FUSEDChicago, an organization for artists working in the encaustic medium.
Like many women artists, there have been times when art making had to be on the back burner. I have been a persistent advocate for my adopted son with special needs. My commitment to my artwork has never wavered.
Chicago artist Jane Michalski is known for her encaustic art that draws inspiration from nature, observation, and community. In this video, she discusses her creative practice, artistic process, and the role of encaustic painting in expressing resilience and connection. Learn more about Jane Michalski’s encaustic artwork and her contributions to the Chicago arts community.
Solo Exhibitions
2025 – Jane Michalski – The First Free Church of Chicago Sanctuary, curated by Dan Addington, Chicago IL
2023 – Enduring Earth – Monroe Art Center, Monroe WI
2022 – Enduring Earth – Pump House Regional Arts Center, LaCrosse WI
2018 – Stone and Water – The Union League Club of Chicago, Chicago IL
2017 – Water’s Edge: Paintings by Jane Michalski – South Shore Arts, Crown Point Branch, Crown Point IN
2013 – Art on Armitage – curated by Mary Ellen Croteau, Chicago IL
2000 – School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, Evanston IL
1998 – Looking Into the Water – ARC Gallery, Invitational Space 1, Chicago IL
1988 – Chicago Workshop Architects, Chicago IL
1987 – Jane Michalski: Pastel Drawings – Hild Cultural Center, Chicago IL
Two Person Exhibitions
2020 – Earthforms: Michalski and Sobel – Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Atrium Gallery, Munster IN
2013 – WaxWorks: Michalski and Nomellini – Lincolnwood Townhall, Lincolnwood IL
2012 – Boundaries – with Ted Stanuga, Park Schreck Gallery, Chicago IL
1998 – Water and Sky – with Valerie Taglieri, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills IL
1987 – Earth Energy: Pastel Drawings – Beverly Art Center, Chicago IL
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025
Summer Season Exhibition – Idea Gallery, Egg Harbor WI
Abstract Concepts – curated by Alex Wilson, Agitator Gallery, Chicago IL
2024
Art Aqua Miami – Ross Contemporary, Miami FL
Water and Dust – Spliced Connector Summer Exhibition, curated by Karen Fitzgerald, hosted by SHIM Art Network, online
Layers – McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, Palos Park IL
Spring Show – Alma Art and Interiors, Chicago IL
2023
Connections – ARC Gallery, Chicago IL, juror Barbara O’Brien
2022
Elemental Hot and Cold – four person online exhibition, James May Gallery, Artsy.net
Abstraction – ARC Gallery, Chicago IL, juror David Reif
2021
SOS Planet Earth – Stola Contemporary Gallery, Chicago IL
Our Planet Ourselves – ARC Gallery, Chicago IL, curated by Jane Stevens
9th Annual Art Competition – Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago IL
Leaders in Abstraction Volume I – The Art House Gallery, Online, curated by Rebecca George
The Art of Water – James May Gallery, Online on Artsy.net
Isolation Chronicles – curated by Sergio Gomez, Online exhibition
Momentum – Springboard Arts Gallery, Chicago IL
1Cancer Patient – Dank Haus German Cultural Center, Chicago IL
2020
Spring Flash 2020 – New York Artists Equity, Online
Who’s Afraid of Red – Gallery Studio Oh, Chicago IL
Variations in Wax – Robert Morris University State Street Gallery, Chicago IL
Build – Oliva Gallery, Chicago IL
2019
8th Annual Art Competition – Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago IL
Flux Wax in All Forms – Arts Benicia, Benicia CA, juried by Sara Post, Online
A Sense of Place in Contemporary Encaustic – Monmouth University, West Long Branch NJ, curated by Karen Bright, Lisa Pressman, and Kathleen Curtis
Contemporary Ancients – South Haven Center for the Arts, South Haven MI
Fire WORKS by FUSEDChicago – Sage Gallery at the Dole, Crystal Lake IL
76th Annual Salon Show – South Shore Arts, Munster IN
2018
75th Annual Salon Show – South Shore Arts, Munster IN, juror Sergio Gomez
2017
Encaustic 2017 Rebirth of an Ancient Medium – Bridgeport Arts Center, Chicago IL
2016
160 Degrees F – Gallery 2506, Chicago IL
4th Annual Art Competition – Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago IL
The Abstract Show – Brickton Art Center, Park Ridge IL
2015
Beyond the Surface – Gallery 2506, Chicago IL
Drawn to Nature – Gallery 2506, Chicago IL
Far Flung Regional Exhibition – The Art House, Chicago IL
2014
SuperMarket 14 – with Art on Armitage, Stockholm Sweden
From Our Perspectives National Women’s Art Exhibition – Bloomfield Hills MI
Oil and Water – Woman Made Gallery, Chicago IL
Horizons Contemporary Landscape – Community Arts Center, Danville KY
2013
Everything Encaustic II – Park Schreck Gallery, Chicago IL
Encaustic USA National Juried Exhibition – ARC Gallery, Chicago IL, juror Paul Klein
2009
Metamorphosis Contemporary Statements in Encaustic – Hayden Art Center and International Encaustic Artists, juried by George W Neubart
AWARDS
2021 – Honorable Mention – Tectonic Shift, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago IL
2018 – Merit Award – Shoreline (Dark Water), South Shore Arts 75th Annual Salon Show, Munster IN
2016 – 3rd Prize – Observation Water’s Edge II, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago IL
2014 – 2nd Prize – North Point Observation I, Horizon Contemporary Landscape, Community Arts Center, Danville KY
2011 – Illinois Arts Council IAS Professional Development Grant
Award of Excellence – Yellow Gray Passage, Playing With Fire, Tubac Art Center, Tubac AZ
2009 – Best Non Representational Art Award – Veiled Construct III, Beverly Art Center 33rd Competition, Chicago IL
2008 and 2009 – Chicago Artist’s Assistance Program Grant Recipient
Illinois Arts Council Professional Development Grant
Curation
Logan Square Connections – Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival 2009
WAX – Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival 2010
Come Together A Juried and Invitational Sculpture Exhibition – Hairpin Arts Center 2011
Curators Showcase – Hairpin Arts Center 2011
AREA – Chicago Artists Month Featured Exhibition, Hairpin Arts Center 2012
Filter Photo Walk Winners Exhibition – Hairpin Arts Center 2012
Ignacio Montano Sculpture – Hairpin Arts Center 2013
Matt Schultz The History of the Division – Hairpin Arts Center 2013
Ephemeral Artifacts – Hairpin Arts Center 2013
Professional Organizations
2024–2025 – Treasurer, FUSEDChicago
2021–2023 – President, FUSEDChicago
2010–2014 – Board Member, Logan Square Chamber of Arts
2010–2014 – Visual Arts Curator and Gallery Director, Hairpin Arts Center, Chicago IL
Education
MA – University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, 1983
BFA – University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 1978