Allie Kurtz Vogt is a visual artist whose work is a fusion of imagination, memory, observation, and glimpses of reality.

 Her work is often shaped and influenced by autobiographical details. Childhood recollections and observations have extended her internal and external conversations and provided a rich visual inheritance for the formulation of her images.

 She was born in Des Moines, Iowa and raised in a Catholic family that included six children. She lived at 220-37th Street in a big house that was built by her grandparents in 1928. From the basement to the attic, it was a place where she could become lost within rooms filled with ancestral artifacts that ignited her imagination. Seated in her memory are the tables. They were attended by family and guests and layered with linens, flowers, silverware, and inanimate objects. Jewel-tones, ornamented compositions and conversations inspired and engaged her artistic inquiry.

 The elaborate resounding chambers of St Augustin Church and fourteen years of parochial school with strict rules for conduct and performance, a language intimately familiar to Catholics, also punctuated her daily patterns. Equally formative were The Des Moines Art Center, where she took classes that were open and exploratory, and The Great Outside, where she was turned loose to figure it out and investigate the intricacies of nature.

This balance of freedom and structure, independence and family, that she experienced as a child was significant in her development as an artist. Her parents and teachers encouraged and helped to create her path in the arts that eventually led her to Colorado State University where she achieved a BFA and MFA.

After college graduation, she moved to North Idaho, where she has resided since 1980. Alongside her work as a studio artist, Allie was a senior tenured faculty member of the Art Department at North Idaho College where she was also a primary founder, curator and director of Union Gallery and Boswell Corner Gallery. Teaching disciplines that she practiced as an artist provided opportunities for reciprocal, stimulating, and informative relationships to evolve between her classroom work and studio.

Allie refers to herself as a painter, but drawing is equally involved, and she often incorporates mixed media. Her working surfaces are primarily two-dimensional and vary from canvas to paper, with paintings also on three-dimensional found or hand-made objects. Mediums include paint, paint sticks, oil and dry pastels, charcoal, graphite, oil, pigmented wax, and a wide range of pencils.

Color, line, and shape are dominant visual elements within each composition, and complex symmetry is often integrated with asymmetrical variations. She sees her work as an intersection of horizontal and vertical puzzles that involve a developmental process of assembling, layering, adding, and subtracting multiple times until the "resolution is absolutely right."

Central to her work is the essence of her childhood: an inventory of timeless sensory detail into which she reaches for inspiration. Originating from ghost-like memories are images and ideas: altars, around the table narratives, chalices, flutes, goblets, stage sets of imagined landscapes, invented vignettes, and stories, like reading braille in linen and lace.

Always regenerated for her is the infancy of a new visual muse—with a mind of its own.

Artist Statement

L. A. Y. E. R. S.

linens. vessels. tables. altars. narratives. skin. wrapping. chapters. periwinkle. stacked sweaters. memorabilia. bags. obsessive collecting. beads. candlesticks. boxes. cobalt blue. lace. stimuli. references. words. thoughts. fragments. artifacts. ornaments. sticks. pods. weeds. unbridled keepsakes. data. dialogue. swatches. passages. additions. subtractions. wisdom. confessions. strings and tidbits. secrets. family. symbols. correspondence. letters. inventory. excessive detail. records. exaggerations. notes. sketchbooks. overlapping. stratum. glitter. burying. excavating. density. history. calculations. order and disorder. etiquette. thin. thick. paint. intensities. neutralities. light. dark. over and under. cloudy. clear. punctilious practice. yellow. left. right. light. dark. delicate. harsh. linings. weightless. heavy. up and down. observation. silence. curtains. cloaks. rows. interludes. noise. pink. documentation. around the table. back and forth. slivers. paper. clutter. envelopes. rituals. relics. commemorations. patina. life. death. connected dots. inventions. conversations. ideas. objects. memories. catholicism. color. lightning bugs in a jar. glimpse. on the table. penchant for inspection. small things. ceaseless text. keeping. reflecting. real and elusive. beginning. no conclusion. internal sounds. measuring. ellipses. lipstick. embellishments. stories. reinventions. atmosphere. wax. earth. under the table. bedding. substratum. daily rhythm. breathing. orange. membrane. inertia. time. blankets. tendrils. red. heart. gardens. finding. love. arranging. immersion. theater. amalgamations. walking. dressed up. yellow green. victorian and modern. blue tape. information. napkins and tablecloths. rags. wood. heat. swallowing. tradition. juxtapositions. reeling. spools. silver. under the cloth. laughter. circles. changing. resonance. foreground. middleground. background. review. precision. retrospective. sandwich. pillows. walls. pictures. cream. soil. bottles. orchestra. buffet. writing. music. round and round. staircases. shelves. dark chocolate. heartbeats. dishes. dust. brushes. paper. marks. lines. folding. over and over. checks. rocks. wishbones. drawings. books. acorns. cold. triangles. pinecones. impressions. bottle caps. clothes on hangers. paintings. patterns. squares. teeth. tights. leaves. scraps. ziplocks. numbers. knitted frenzy. windows. forest. pool. drawers. doors.

black.

white.

color.

diagonal.

horizontal.

circular.

vertical.

skeletal.

visual.

..................................................................................L.A.N.G.U.A.G.E.

Résumé

 Education:

1979 Master of Fine Arts, Painting, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
1977 Institute of European Studies, Vienna, Austria
1976 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
1975 University of Northern Colorado, Florence, Italy

Solo Exhibitions:

2013 Layers, Retrospective. Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
2008 Selected Images. Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, Post Falls, ID
2003 The Sacred Realm: Relics Rituals and Sanctuaries. The Chris Kraisler Gallery, Sandpoint, ID
1997 Core-Enigma. Hotflash of America, Spokane, WA
1988 Sandpoint Artwalk III Extravaganza. Sandpoint, ID
1983 Paintings and Drawings, City Hall, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1975 New Drawings. CSU, Fort Collins, CO

Two Person Exhibitions:

2016 Confluence, The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1998 Recent Work River City Gallery, Post Falls, ID
1988 Linear Obsessions. Community Art Gallery, Ellensburg, WA
1988 Linear Obsessions. Spokane Art School, Spokane, WA
1987 Sojourns. North Idaho College Union Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1979 MFA Thesis Exhibition. Clara Hatton Gallery, CSU, Fort Collins, CO
1976 Drawings. CSU, Fort Collins, CO

Group Exhibitions:

2015-14 The Artist’s Palette, Through The Lens Of Dean Davis, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, WA
2014 North Idaho College Art Faculty Exhibitions. Coeur d’Alene, ID, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1997, 1995, 1992, 1984
2014 Small Works, The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 2009, 2002, 2000
2006 The Chair Affair, Spokane Art School, Spokane, WA
2004 Drawn To The Wall II, Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
2003 My Mother, My Father, Chase Gallery, Spokane, WA
2002 Celebration Exhibition, Citizen’s Council For The Arts, Boswell Corner Gallery, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2002 An Academic Celebration of Idaho Artists. Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
2000 Botanicals - Three Artists, Chase Gallery, Spokane, WA
1997 Summer Solstice, Lorinda Knight Gallery, Spokane, WA
1996 River City Gallery Exhibit, Post Falls, ID
1995-90 Works of Heart, Cheney Cowles Museum, Spokane ,WA
1994 Visions of Wholeness: Composing a Life, honoring Mary Catherine Bateson. College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Arizona State University, Announcement for Exhibition (drawing) Poster Design (painting), Tempe, AZ
1994-93 Spokane Sampler, Cheney Cowles Museum, Spokane, WA
1994-84 Annual Art on the Green. Juried Exhibitions, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1993, 91, 90 25th, 23rd, and 22nd Annual Art on the Green. Juried Exhibitions Painting Awards, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1993 Twenty-Three Windows, Davenport Hotel, Spokane, WA
1993 Touching the Core, Juried Exhibition Momentum Gallery, Spokane, WA
1993 Northwest Artists Exhibitions, Insight Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1993 Buttons-Connections-Bonds. Women’s Visual Art and Writing, North Idaho College Union Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1992 Buttons-Connections-Bonds. Corbin Art Center, Spokane WA
1992 Lilac Exhibit, Spokane, WA
1990 Washington State Centennial Traveling Party Hat Show, North Idaho College Union Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1990 Inland Artists, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1989 Washington State Centennial Traveling Party Hat Show, Chase Gallery, Spokane, WA
1989 Washington State Centennial Traveling Hat Show. Foundation Gallery, Mt. Vernon, WA
1989 Index Gallery, Vancouver, WA
1989 Salon de Refuses, Spokane Art School, Spokane, WA
1988 Western Judicial Conference Exhibition
1988 Woman Making Art, The Hidden Process. Missoula, MT
1985 Western Women’s Art Showcase Award. Coeur d’Alene, ID
1985 National Small Image and Object Exhibition, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1984 Western Women’s Art Showcase 1984, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1984 North Idaho College Art Faculty, Mushroom Gallery, Spokane, WA
1983 First Annual Western Women’s Art Showcase Award, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1983 Painting Exhibition. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
1979 Colorado Women in the Arts, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
1978 MFA Graduate Exhibition. CSU, Fort Collins, CO
1978 Poudre Valley Art League, 17th Annual Regional Show, Juried Exhibition Award, Ft. Collins, CO
1978 Colorado and Wyoming Creative Arts Symposium, Juried Exhibition, Fort Collins, CO
1977 Drawing, Juried Exhibition, Missouri

Collections: Public and private.

Honors:

2012,1997 Mayor’s Award for Art Nomination. City of Coeur d’Alene, ID
2011 NIC Foundation Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1989 NIC Employee Sterling Silver Award, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1987 NIC Distinguished Faculty Award, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Teaching Experience:

2014-1980 College Art Professor, Tenured, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID Teaching Experience: oil painting, watercolor, drawing, design, survey of art
2014-1997 Boswell Corner Gallery, Curator/Director, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1996-85 Union Gallery Curator/Director, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1980-present Private lessons, adults and children
2003-1987 Writer’s/Art Workshop, Citizens Council of the Arts, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1995 Composing Community w/ Mary Catherine Bateson “Composing a Life,” Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
1986-85 Artshop II Workshop, Citizens Council of the Arts, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1984-82 Watercolor classes, Coeur d’Alene Homes, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1979 Adjunct faculty, oil painting, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
1978-76 Adjunct faculty, teaching assistant, and student teaching, painting and drawing, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Related Experience:

2012 Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission Art Selection Committee, Educational Corridor, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2007-1996 Art Department and Division Assistant Chair, Communication and Fine Arts, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1999 CCHA National Conference, “Showing That’s Telling: Modern Chautauqua & the Humanities,” Chautauqua performer as Georgia O’Keeffe, Chicago, IL.
2000-1999 Chautauqua performer as Georgia O’Keefe, Convocation Series Symposiums 29 and 30, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2007 Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission Art Selection Committee, CDA Public Library, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1991&1998 Excel Foundation, Fund raising participant, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1994-91 NEA Series Consortium, Fund raising and Participation, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1993-92 Coeur d’Alene Cultural Center, Fundraising participant, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1991 Juror, National College Exhibit, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1991 Accreditation Team Member / Art Discipline, Canfield Middle School, Coeur d’Alene, ID
2007-05 Juror, Annual Arts and Crafts Outdoor Festival, Art on the Green, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Professional Development and Workshops:

2003-02 Altars, Rituals, and Relics, Sabbatical, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1997 Casting workshop, Spokane, WA
1996 Encaustic Painting, Seattle, WA
1992 Image making with Pulp, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1991 Creative Papermaking, Image Making with Pulp, Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA
1990 Critical Thinking in the Humanities- Inquiry Method, Humanities Seminar, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1988 Ceramics, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1987 Photography, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1987 Pastel Making, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1985 & 1983 Faculty Instructional Development Grant, Painting, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Professional Organizations:

2016-2002 College Art Association (CAA), New York, NY
2001-1997 Coeur d’Alene High School Advisory Committee, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1993-87 Museum of Art and Culture, MAC) (formerly the Cheney Cowles Museum), Spokane, WA
1992-91 Chairperson Cheney Cowles Museum Art Committee, Spokane, WA
1993-91 Art Curriculum Committee District 271 K-12, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1997-89 Coeur d’Alene Cultural Center Advisory Board, Coeur d’Alene, ID
1983-82 Mountain Plains Adult Education Association, Missoula, MT