September- October 2023
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art
2004 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO 64108
Gallery Director: Sherry Leedy
Catalog Design: Elise Gagliardi
Find us at: SherryLeedy.com
IG: @sherryleedycontemporaryart
FB: @sherryleedycontemporaryart
Cover art:
John Ferry
Colosseum #6
Oil on panel
September, 1 - October, 21 2023
New Paintings by: John FerryI don’t think of my paintings as documentation, but rather an inspirational starting point for a painting. Edward Hopper said, “What I wanted to do was to paint the sunlight on the side of the house.” That quote captures my intent perfectly. I’m looking for a composition that makes me want to paint. I feel I have done that with this series of paintings. I feel that this is my strongest body of work I have completed over my many exhibitions.
-John Ferry, 2023John Ferry’s recent paintings continue his lifelong inspiration and love of architecture and the built environment. The cities, that he has explored, from Detroit to Rome, are the catalyst for Ferry’s painted investigations of color, light, texture and space. Forgotten or overlooked urban spaces, such as alleyways or fire escapes, are shown in exaggerated vertical formats that express the very character of what is being depicted. This extreme format emphasizes the gesture of light and the narrow slice of sky between buildings emphasizes the tension of space in the city. Ferry’s use of format, as an essential design element, is equally successful in the long horizontal paintings of the mid-century modern Farnsworth house. Format and composition are paired in a variety of ways in the paintings of Rome. The Colosseum in Rome was the perfect subject to illustrate the grandeur and permanence of architecture shaped by the passage of time. In the Colosseum paintings, color and texture define light and shadow and the beauty of decay.
John Ferry is a professor serving in the Illustration Department at the Kansas City Art Institute. Straight and Narrow is his 20th one-person show. John Ferry’s paintings are in the permanent collections of The Wichita Center for the Arts, KS; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS; H&R Block, KC, MO; Negro League Baseball Museum, KC, MO; Federal Reserve Bank; KC, MO; and others.
Farnsworth, Mid- Century Modern #24
2021
20” x 48”
Oil on panel
Mid-Century Gas Station #1
2021
11” x 16.5”
Oil on panel
Mid-Century Gas Station #1
2022
24” x 36”
Oil on panel
Livestock Exchange 2022
30” x 40”
Oil on panel
Detroit #8
2021
16” x 7”
Oil on panel
Kansas City #4
2021
16” x 4.5”
Oil on panel
Chicago #9 2022
16” x 4.5”
Oil on panel
Chicago #2 2021
21.5” x 3”
Oil on panel
Chicago #1 2021
21.5” x 4”
Oil on panel
West Bottoms #1 (detail)
2021
10” x 16”
Oil on panel
West Bottoms #2 (top)
2021
9” x 17”
2021
10” x 16”
Oil on panel
West Bottoms #1 (bottom)
Oil on panel
Detroit #2 2021
16.5” x 5”
Oil on panel
Detroit #3 2021
16.5” x 5”
Oil on panel
Chicago #1 2021
16.5” x 4.5”
Oil on panel
Farnsworth Modern #3
2020
12” x 36”
Oil on panel
Farnsworth Modern #4
2020
12” x 36”
Oil on panel
Farnsworth Modern #1 2023
20” x 48”
Oil on panel
Rome #2
2023
21”x 4.5”
Oil on panel
Colosseum #4
2023
16.5” x 9”
Oil on panel
2023
13” x
Oil on panel
Colosseum #6
9.75”
Colosseum #2
2023
16”x 5.5”
Oil on panel
Colosseum #7
2023
8.75” x 13”
Oil on panel
2023
Colosseum #1
15.5” x 4”
Oil on panel
Colosseum #3
2023
17” x 4”
Oil on panel
Colosseum #5
2023
16” x 3”
Oil on panel
Detroit #4 2021
14”x 4.5”
Oil on panel
Kansas City #3
2021
16.5” x 3.5”
Oil on panel
Mid-Century Gas Station
2021
8.5” x 11”
Oil on panel
Mid-Century Gas Station #6
2021
13.5” x 10”
Oil on panel
• Kansas City Art Institute, Professor, Illustration, 2021 – Present
• Kansas City Art Institute, Associate Professor, Illustration, 2017 – 2021
• Kansas City Art Institute, Assistant Professor, Illustration, 2010 – 2017
• Kansas City Art Institute, Head of Illustration Department, 2011-2012
• Kansas City Art Institute, adjunct, 2004
• Illustration Studio Manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc. 2000 – 2009
• Co-Acting Chair, Illustration, Maryland Institute, College of Art, 1999-2000
• Acting Chair, Illustration, Maryland Institute, College of Art, 1998
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Illustration, Foundation Painting, 1997-2000
• Kansas City Art Institute, Illustration, 1995-1997
• Kansas City Art Institute, adjunct, Illustration Drawing & Painting, 1994-1995
EDUCATION
• School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, MFA Illustrtation,1994
• Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO, BFA Illustration, 1992
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO, “Straight And Narrow”, 2023
• Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO, “Mid-Century Modern”, 2019
• Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO, “Exaggerated View of a Common Occurrence”, 2017
• Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence, KS. “Disintegration”, 2014
• Gladstone Community Center Public Art Space, Gladstone, MO, “Roots”, 2013
• Dolphin Gallery, Kansas City, MO, “Urban Industrial Themes”, 2010
• Department of Visual Arts presents It’s 2nd Biennial “Best of” Exhibition, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, “Industrial Time-Line”, 2009
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, “Roam”, 2009
• Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven, CT, “Deconstruction & Resurrection”, 2008
• Anne Lloyd Gallery, Decatur, IL, “Revisited”, 2007
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Re-Form", 2005
• C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD, "Construction", 2003
• Jan Weiner Gallery at LuLa Mac, Kansas City, MO, "Architectural Planes", 2003
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Industrial Paintings", 2001
• C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD, "Decatur-Kansas City-New YorkBaltimore", 2001
• Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Millikin University, Decatur, IL, "Industrial Documentary", 2000
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Baltimore", 1999
• Massman Gallery, Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO, "Industrial Kansas City", 1997
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Intimate Landscapes", 1996
• Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, “Private Spaces”, Juried Publication/Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2023
• Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, “Stairs”, Juried Publication/Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, Four paintings selected, 2023
• Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, “Urban”, Juried Publication/Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, Three paintings selected, 2022
• Summer Group Show, Laguna Art Gallery, Mission Viejo, CA, 2021
• Summer Group Show, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO, 2021
• Winter Group Show, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO, 2020/2021
• Americas 2020: Paperworks Annual Exhibit, Northwest Arts Center, Minot State University, Minot, ND, 2020
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Foresight/Insight Reflecting on the Museum’s Collection, Overland Park, KS, 2019
• Annual Fall group show, Veritable Art Gallery, Kansas City, MO, 2018
• 16th Annual Blache Ames National Juried Art Exhibition (BANJAE), Ames Mansion Museum, North Easton, MA, 2019, 15th 2018, 13th 2016, 12th 2015
• Society of Illustrators American Museum of Illustration, New York, NY, 2022, 2021, 2020 (silver medal winner), 2018, 1998, 1995, 1992, 1991
• 30th Anniversary MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Exhibition, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, 2014
• Americas All Media 21st Annual Exhibit, Harnett Hall Gallery, Minot State University, Minot, ND, 2019
• H & R Block ARTSPACE, “Four”, New Faculty Exhibition-Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO, 2013
• La Esquina Gallery, “Have I Been Here Before?”, Organized by Charlotte Street Curator-In-Residence: Jamilee Polson Lacy, 2012
• K Space Contemporary's juried exhibition -3rd Coast National, Corpus Christi, Texas, 2012
• Harper College 35th & 42nd Annual National Art Exhibition, Palatine, IL, 2019, 2012
• Wichita Center for the Arts, National Juried Painting Exhibition, 2012, 2010, 2014
• Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Magnitude 7, Juried Publication/Exhibition, 2021, 2015, 2013, 2012
• Lawrence Arts Center Exhibit: Place, Lawrence, KS, 2010
• Dolphin Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Surroundings" 2010
• Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom, “Urban Suburban”, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
• Mendenhall Sobieski Gallery, Pasadena, CA, “Group Show”, 2004-2005
• Chung-Cheng Gallery, St. John’s University, Queens, NY “Commissioned Non Commissioned”, 2004
• ARTSpace, Kansas City, MO, "Flatfile", 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001
• C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD, "Summer", 2006, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1999
• Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Balancing", 2003
• Evergreen House, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, "Conversations", Touring Exhibition, 2003-2005
Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE, 2004
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, 2004
Tufts University, Medford Mass, 2004
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 2005
Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH, 2005
• Negro League Baseball Museum, Kansas City, MO, "Shades of Greatness", Touring Exhibition, 2003 – 2019
• Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO, Art Auctions, 2019, 2017, 1015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001,1999, 1996
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD, "Artafare Art Auction", 2005, 2003, 2000, 1999
• School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, "The Magazine Rack", 2003
• Johnson County Community College, Nerman Museum, Overland Park, KS, "Beyond Bounds-Beyond Borders”, Art Auction, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1998 1998
• Keisho Art Association, Nagayo, Japan, "48th Annual Exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art", 2000
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD, "Faculty Exhibition", 2000, 1999, 1998
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD, "New Faculty Exhibition", 1997
• Osaka Gallery, Osaka Japan, 1996
• Zoografia Gallery, Kansas City, MO, "Corridors", 1995
• The Late Show, Kansas City, MO, "Urban Landscapes", 1995
• The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Oppenheimer Collection, Overland Park, KS (Two paintings in their Permanent Collection)
• H & R Block, Kansas City, MO
• Hallmark Cards Inc., Kansas City, MO
• Negro League Baseball Museum, Kansas City, MO
• Sprint, Headquarters, Corporate Office Kansas City, MO
• Stowers Institute, Kansas City, MO
• Federal Reserve Bank, Kansas City, MO
• Center Displays, Kansas City, MO
• Corporate Communications, Overland Park, KS
• DST Systems, Kansas City, MO
• American Century, Kansas City, MO
• Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD
• Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ladera Ranch, CA
• KC Modern @ Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art Gallery, Kansas City, MO,2019
• DLR Group Architects, Overland Park, KS, 2019
• ARTSPEAK RADIO, Radio Interview, 2016
• “Critique 101”, Johnson County Public Library, Leawood, KS, 2015
• Kansas City Art Institute, Grant Proposal Lecture, Kansas City, MO, 2014
• Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Lakewood, CO, 2014
• Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL. 2011
• Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC, 2011
• Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw GA, 2009
• Slideshow at the Kemper Museum, Kansas City, MO, 2005
• Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City, MO, 2005, 2002
• Jan Weiner Gallery at LuLa Mac, Kansas City, MO 2003
• Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 2000
• Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI, 1999
• Delaware College of Art and Design, 1998
• Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO, 1996
Bluecanvas Magazine, Kansas City Star, Playboy, Playboy (Italy), Baltimore Magazine, Kansas City Magazine, Baltimore Jewish Times, Society of Illustrators - both NY & LA, Communication Arts, American Illustration, New American Paintings, Savage Records, Source Magazine, Houghton Mifflin, Gannett Outdoors, Baltimore City Paper, Evolving Editions, New York Times, New York Post, HOW Magazine, Vanguard Magazine, This Old House Magazine, Le Nouvelle Economist (France), Open Studio Press, New American Paintings 15th Anniversary, Published Writing: Book, “The Education of anIllustrator”, Book, “Made Priceless (A Few Things Money Can’t Buy)”, Kansas City Star newspaper, letters to the editor
• 3X3 Illustration Annual #16, 2019 (two paintings accepted), #17, 2020 (Three paintings accepted), #18, 2021 (five paintings accepted) (Juried Competition), 2022, 2023 (two paintings accepted)
• 16th Annual Blache Ames National Juried Art Exhibition (BANJAE), Honorable Mention Award, 2019
• 15th Annual Blache Ames National Juried Art Exhibition (BANJAE), Honorable Mention Award, 2018
• 12th Annual 2014 Blanc Ames National Art Exhibit, Juried Publication and Exhibition, Sharon, MA, Honorable Mention, (2 paintings selected), 2014
• OPEN 15, Front Art Space, juried exhibition and publication (two paintings selected), New York, NY 2015/16
• Northwest Art Center, America’s 2015: All Media exhibition, Juried Exhibition and Publication, Minot State University, Minot, ND, 2015
• Maryland Federation of Art, Juror’s Choice Award, 14th Annual American Landscapes: Scenes from the Americas, Open-juried Exhibition, 2014
• Manifest Gallery, Juried Exhibition and Publication – WILDERNESS, RURAL, SUBURBAN, URBAN, POST URBAN, 2022
• TAPPED 11, Teacher/Student show – with former student Reuben Negron, Manifest Gallery, Juried Exhibition and Publication, 2020
• TAPPED 10, Teacher/Student show – with former student Cece Martin, Manifest Gallery, Juried Exhibition and Publication, 2019
• TAPPED 4, Teacher/Student show – with former student Sondy Bojanic, Manifest Gallery, Juried Exhibition and Publication, 2013
• K Space Contemporary's juried exhibition -3rd Coast National, Corpus Christi, Texas, Honorable Mention, 2012
• Small Works, Harper College, Juried Show and Publication, Palatine, IL, 2019 & 2012
• Bluecanvas Magazine, article: KCAI + Bluecanvas, 2012
• The Fourth National Exhibition at Prince Street Gallery, Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2011
• National Small Oil Painting Exhibition – Executive Director’s Purchase Award/Honorable Mention: Wichita Center for the Arts, 2010
• Manifest, Magnitude 7, Juried Show, 2021, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012
• Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, International Painting Annual, Juried Publication, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2010
• Studio Visit Magazine, Juried Publication, 2012, 2009
• R. G. Endres Memorial "Best of Show" Award, Prairie Village State of the Arts Exhibition, (Juror: Mark English), 2009
• New American Paintings, Juried Competition, 2009, 2003
• Art at the Center Juried Exhibition, Overland Park, KS, “Best of Show" Award, (Juror: Dean Mitchell), 2007
• Inaugurated in the first class of “Outstanding Alumni” of Decatur Public Schools Foundation, Celebrate! The Legacy of Learning committee, Decatur, IL, 2004
• Maryland Institute, College of Art, Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1999
• Received Scholarship to attend School of Visual Arts 1992-1994
• Society of Illustrators, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 1997, 1994, 1992, 1991(Juried Competition)
• Society of Illustrators, Silver Medal Winner, (Juried Competition) 2019
• Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, 1998 (Juried Competition)
• American Illustration 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 1994 (Juried Competition)
• Communication Arts 1994 (Juried Competition)
COMSSIONS
• Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ladera Ranch, CA
CURATOR
• Guest Curator for a show titled “Ambiguous” involving four different artists work, Carter Art Center at the Metropolitan Community College - Penn Valley, Kansas City, MO, 2021
COMMUNITY
• Johnson County Library, Leawood Pioneer Neighborhood Public Library Public Art Project, One of a series of artists chosen to execute and display art work in a library in the metro Kansas City area. My work was displayed at Leawood Pioneer Public Library, 2015
• Served on the Lenexa Center Library Selection Panel, 2017
• Mentor: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, 2001-Present
• The Spencer Art Reference Library, The Artist File Initiative, The NelsonAtkins Museum of Art
