Shawn Powell

Shawn Powell is an Associate Professor of Painting at Kent State University's School of Art (College of the Arts). His work focuses on abstract painting and curatorial practices, with solo exhibitions at venues like Abattoir Gallery (Cleveland) and Chapter NY (New York). Powell holds an MFA from Hunter College and a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute. He co-curates Gazebo Gallery in Kent, Ohio, and has curated exhibitions such as THE DEAD DON’T DIE and NEAR ZERO.

Education: BFA in Painting/Art History (Kansas City Art Institute), MFA in Painting (Hunter College). Awards include the 2021 and 2023 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards and a Tony Smith Award. Residencies include NIDO in Italy and Alfred/Düsseldorf Artist Residency in Germany.

Research interests span contemporary abstract painting techniques, exhibition curation, and the intersection of art education with public engagement. Recent works explore geometric forms and color theory, as seen in his 2024 series Triangle, Circle, Square.

Grants and recognitions highlight his contributions to Ohio’s art scene, including the 2023 Innovate Artist Grant Honorable Mention. Powell’s articles and interviews discuss his creative process, residency experiences, and pedagogical approaches to teaching art.