Michelle Kogan

Michelle Kogan is a Continuing Studies Instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), specializing in visual art, poetry, and interdisciplinary practices. She holds a BFA from SAIC and an MFA in painting from Northern Illinois University. Her work explores themes of environmental justice, social equity, and the intersection of humanity with nature through mediums like watercolor, acrylics, and poetry.

Her research interests include representing imbalance in nature, endangered species, and women’s rights through visual narratives. Kogan’s art frequently merges poetry with painting, aiming to create reflective spaces amid modern chaos. She has exhibited widely, including at the Chicago Academy of Sciences and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Recent publications include contributions to The Poeming Pigeon (2024) and Fly an Anthology of Poetry (2023). Notable awards include grants from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and a semi-finalist placement in the Bermuda Triangle Prize (2020).

Kogan teaches courses like Plein Air Painting, emphasizing outdoor observation and light studies. Her work has been featured in private collections and institutional holdings, including the University of Illinois Chicago.