Jeanne Raffer Beck (American, 1949-) was born in Pittsburgh, PA to a working class family with great appreciation for the arts. She moved to New York State in sixth grade and has lived here ever since. Jeanne earned her BA in Communications at Empire State College, State University of New York in 1986 and her MFA in Creative Writing at Goddard College, Vermont in 1990.
Prior to becoming a visual artist, she worked as a professional writer, which may help explain why stories, book art references and gestural marks sometimes appear in her work. She has written everything from radio commercials to free lance magazine articles and corporate newsletters, having owned a publications consulting company for eight years, and before that, spent eleven-years in public relations.
Jeanne recently moved from a city studio in Rochester, NY to a larger loft space in the historic downtown business district in Canandaigua, NY to allow focus on larger scale paintings and mixed media installations. These works have been shown in national and international exhibitions and publications, and have been purchased by public institutions as well as private collectors.
Married for over 25 years, Jeanne and husband Bob have a blended family and make their home in Canandaigua on fourteen acres in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Artist Statement:
“Over 20 years and thousands of studio hours ago I decided to stop yearning for an art-centered life and start living it. As my artworks evolve, my techniques, tools and subjects also do, but my commitment to growth and experimentation is a constant.”
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018- March 23–April 21, solo exhibition, Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY.
2017- MUCC, Rochester, NY.
2011- Arts & Cultural Council of Greater Rochester Gallery, May-June.
2010- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, June.
2008- Rush Rhees Library Art & Music Gallery, Rochester, NY.
Selected Invitationals
2015- Solid Gold, Main Street Art Gallery, Clifton Springs, NY.
2017- Women’s Work, The Yards, Rochester, NY.
Selected Juried Exhibitions
2015, 2017- Art in Craft Media, Burchfield Penney, Buffalo, NY.
2016- Buffalo Society of Artists Fall Exhibition, Carnegie Art Center, Lockport, NY.
2016- Art Comes Alive, Art Development Consultants, Cincinatti, Ohio.
2016, 2012, 2007- Made in New York, Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn, NY.
2014- Four Artists, Arts and Cultural Council Gallery Awards Show, Rochester, NY.
2015, 2013, 2012- Arts and Cultural Council Gallery, Member Showcase, Rochester, NY.
2013, 2001, 1999- Rochester Finger Lakes Exhibition, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY.
2013- Art ROC, JGK Galleries, Rochester, NY.
2011- Memorial Art Gallery, Fiberart International touring exhibition, Rochester, NY.
2006- Society for Contemporary Craft, Fiberart International, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010Artspace, Contemporary Fine Crafts, Raleigh, NC.
Awards/Honors: Two-person show award, Thumb Box Exhibition, Meibohm Gallery, East Aurora, NY, 2018; 2013 Niche Award, Fiber, Niche Magazine, American Buyers Market; Best in Show, Arts and Cultural Council Gallery, Member Showcase, Rochester, NY, 2013; Best in Show, Art ROC 2013, JGK Galleries, Rochester, NY.
Memberships/Affiliations: Buffalo Society of Artists, exhibiting member, 2015–present; Surface Design Association, Board of Directors, 2011- 2016, Vice President, 2012-2014, President, 2014-2015; and International Society of Experimental Artists 2016–present.
Selected Publications: Simple Screenprinting: Basic Techniques and Creative Projects, by Annie Stromquist, Lark Books, 2004, Gallery section;
Exploring Visual Imagery, by Jane Dunnewold and Claire Benn, 2007.
Residencies: Vermont Studio Center, Johnston, VT, April 2017; Penland School of Craft, North Carolina, Screen-Printing Studio Assistant, Spring Concentration, 2005.
Public Collections: University of Rochester, Gleason Library; SUNY Geneseo, MacVittie Student Union.
Artist Website: jeannebeck.com
