Jill Jensen is a professional artist who creates art quilts. Exploration of different art
media and seeking new ways to combine them has fueled her passion for the visual
arts. Her current body of work involves the surface design of fabrics, which are
incorporated into art quilts. The fabric design process involves painting, drawing and
printing colors and images on white cotton fabric or artist's canvas. These fabrics
become the palette used to create art quilts in the same way that paint squeezed
onto a palette is the starting point for a painter. Jensen designs and carves her
printing plates so that she has control over all of the design elements during the
creative process. Color is very important to Jensen's work and it ranges from subtle
variations to brilliant colors flowing across the fabric. Jensen states, "as I respond to
the world around me, I am particularly sensitive to color and how it changes during the
day and with the seasons. I seek to bring this acute awareness of the colors surrounding
me into my work so that others can get a glimpse of the colorful world I see."

EXHIBITIONS

 

ONE PERSON

            2008          Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA

            2008          The West Wood Nature Center, Novelty, OH

            2007          Hollins University, Roanoke, VA

1995, 2000, 2006  Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Clifton Forge, VA

             2005         Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VA      

            2004          CJMW Architects Gallery, Lynchburg, VA

            1999          Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Lynchburg, VA

1996, 1997, 1999  On the Hill, Yorktown, VA

            1997          Sedalia Center, Big Island, VA

            1992          Pennsylvania State University, New Kensington Campus, PA

            1989          Gallery Space, Monroeville, PA

            1989          The Guild House, Bridgeville, PA

            1988          Salem Crossroads Studios, Delmont, PA

            1984          Blue Sky Gallery, Murrysville, PA

 

TWO PERSON   

            1994    Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Lynchburg, VA

            1990    Allegheny County Bar Association, Grant Building, Pittsburgh, PA

 

INVITED

                2009    Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition, Tainan City, Taiwan   

             2008    “In Response”, The Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK

                        “Artisans of Distinction”, Blue Ridge Community College, VA

                        FT: Fiber Transformed, “Wish You Were Here”, Academy of Fine Arts,
Lynchburg, VA
“6^th Biennial Invitational Quilt Show: The Art of the Quilt”, Piedmont Arts
Association, Martinsville, VA

            2007     FT: Fiber Transformed, “Wish You Were Here”, Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln,
 CO; Shenandoah Valley Arts Center, Waynesboro, VA

            2006     “The Art of the Quilt”, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA

            2005     “The Goddess Revisited”, Artisan Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA      

            2004    “The Art of the Quilt”, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA

                         FT: Fiber Transformed Group, Bedford Central Library, Bedford, VA

                        “FABRICations” – PAQA-South, Page-Walker Arts and History Center, Cary,
 NC and traveling exhibit 2005 – 2007

                        “Art Quilts: Sew What’s New”, Craddock Terry Gallery, Lynchburg, VA

                        FT: Fiber Transformed Group, Augusta Medical Center, VA

            2003    “New Directions in Quilting”, The Arts Center in Orange, VA,

                        “From a Woman’s Hand”, FT: Fiber Transformed Group, Artisan Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA,

                        “Heaven and Earth”, National League of American Pen Women Exhibit,
Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Lynchburg, VA

            2002    “The Art of the Quilt”, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA

            2001    Art at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, VA, organized by the Art
 Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke, VA

                        Annual Invitational Craft Show, Rock Creek Gallery, Washington, D.C.

            1999    Five Visions, Rock Creek Art Gallery, Washington, D.C.,

                        Annual Invitational Craft Show, Rock Creek Gallery, Washington, D.C.
            1998    7^th Annual Gloria Fitzgibbons Competion Winners, AIA Gallery,Pittsburgh, PA 
            1997    Riverview Artists, Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA                                  

            1994    Southwest Virginia Women Sculptors Traveling Exhibition, James Center,

                        Richmond, VA, and The Wharf Gallery, Staunton, VA

            1993    James River Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

            1992    Rebearth, Group Show, Langhorne Gallery Lynchburg,VA                                       
            1991    Back to Back, Group show of new members, Associated Artists Gallery,

                        Pittsburgh Center for Art, Pittsburgh, PA                               

            1990    McKeesport Little Theater, McKeesport, PA                                                 

            1989    Professional Women Artists Show, Community College of Allegheny County,
Monroeville, PA      

            1988    New Board Show, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, The Birmingham Loft,
Pittsburgh, PA       

            1985    Four Person Show, Duquesne University, Les Idees Gallery,

                        Pittsburgh, PA

 

SELECTED NATIONAL AND REGIONAL JURIED SHOWS

2009     "Form not Function", Carnegie Center for Art & History, New Albany, IN

2008    “Amazing Art Quilts”, Staunton August Art Center, Staunton, VA

            “Art Quilts: Reflections”, Page-Walker Arts and History Center, Cary, NC

2007     “A Really Big Shoe Show”, Craddock-Terry Gallery, Lynchburg, VA

             “Art Quilts: Artists Respond”, Page Walker Arts and History Center, Cary, NC

2006     Lynchburg Juried Art Show, Academy of Fine Arts, Lynchburg, VA

             “Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVII”, Hampden, VA

2005     “Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVI”, Hampden, VA

            “Contemporary Traditions”, Page-Walker Arts and History Center, Cary, NC

2004    “Connected Threads”, The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, Glen Allen, VA

“Art Quilts: Elements”, Page-Walker Arts and History Center, Cary, NC and traveling
exhibition (Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, and Pacific International Quilt
Festival)

2003    “Art Quilts VIII: A Cut Above”, Chandler Center for the Arts, AZ

            “Vantage Point – South: Art Quilts”, Page-Walker Arts and History Center,

            Cary, NC

            “Quilts, Fabric and Wearable Art”, The Gallery at Jefferson Center, Roanoke, VA

2002    “Hand Crafted”, Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC

            Roanoke City Art Show, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke, VA

2001    “Truth or Dare”, Artisans Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA

            Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

2000    Roanoke City Art Show, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke, VA     

            Equinox Open, Rock Creek Gallery, Washington, D.C.

            Lynchburg Area Photography Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

1996    Roanoke City Art Show, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke, VA
            Salon de Refuse, Gallery in the Square, Pittsburgh, PA

            Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

1995    Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

            Lynchburg Area Photography Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg

1994    Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

1993    Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg Fine Art Center, Lynchburg, VA

1992    Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 82^nd Annual, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA      

1991    Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 81^st Annual, Carnegie Museum of Art,

            Pittsburgh, PA

            Pittsburgh Society of Artists Annual, Pittsburgh Center for Art, Pittsburgh, PA

1990    Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College,

            Youngwood, PA

            Pittsburgh Society of Artists Annual, Pittsburgh Center for Art, Pittsburgh, PA

1989        Greensburg Art Club 56th Annual Juried Art Show, Westmoreland Museum of
Art, Greensburg, PA,

Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood, PA,
and Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg, PA

1988    1st International Works on Paper and Sculpture Show, Clary-Miner Gallery,

            Buffalo, NY

            Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood, PA

            Pittsburgh Society of Artists Annual, Pittsburgh Center for Art, Pittsburgh, PA

1987    Pittsburgh Society of Artists Annual, Pittsburgh Center for Art, Pittsburgh, PA

1986    Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood, PA

1985    Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood, PA
and Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg, PA                                                                     

            Greensburg Art Club 52nd Annual Juried Art Show, Westmoreland Museum of Art,
Greensburg, PA

1984    Westmoreland Arts National, Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood, PA           

                                                                                                                                   

RELATED EXPERIENCE

 

2007/2008             Instructor-Extend Art for gifted students, Monelison Middle School,
Madison Heights, VA       

 

1992 – 2008          Speaker – Lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics including
colored pencils, hand-made paper, printmaking and art quilts at public and
private schools, colleges, and art organizations.

 

1988 - 2006           Judge- Numerous student and adult art shows including Lynchburg Art
Club Kaleidoscope Show Student Exhibit, PTA/PTO Annual Art Exhibits,
Student Christmas Card Exhibit, Bedford County, VA, High School Art
Show, Lynchburg Women’s Club and Campbell County Fine Art Show.

                                                                                                                                   

2003 - 2005           Virginia Commission for the Arts- Advisory Panel member for screening
Artists in Education Residency Sponsor Applications.

                                                                                                                                               

2004                      Juror  - Nelson Fine Arts Gallery Annual Juried Show, Lexington, VA

 

1997-2000, 2002-2004         Exhibition Curator - Academy of Fine Arts (formerly the
Lynchburg Fine Arts Center), Lynchburg, VA.

                                            

2003                      Judge – 33^rd Annual Seawall Art Show, Portsmouth, VA

 

2002                      Judge- Fall Festival, Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Clifton
Forge, VA.

 

1992-1998             Instructor - Taught drawing and painting classes, handmade paper
workshops, and summer art camp for children, Lynchburg Fine Art Center,
Lynchburg, VA.

 

1994                      Coordinator - Organized and planned the summer art camp program for
the Lynchburg Fine Art Center.                                                                                                                                                             

1992 - 1995           Instructor - Taught colored pencil drawing and acrylic painting classes for
adults, and summer art camp classes for children, Lynchburg Parks and
Recreation Department, Lynchburg, VA.

 

1990-1991             Instructor - Taught art classes for young children (4 and 5 years old) and
primary grade school children.

 

AWARDS AND HONORS

 

2008             Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint)

                     Canterbury Woods Elementary School, Annandale, VA.  Sponsored by Fairfax
County Public Schools and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

                     Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint, relief)

                     Walsingham Academy, Williamsburg, VA.  Sponsored by Walsingham Academy
and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

 

2007/2008    Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint, drypoint)

                     Amherst County Schools (elementary, middle, and high school). Sponsored by
Amherst County School Board and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

 

2006             Lynchburg Juried Art Show, Lynchburg, VA – Juror’s Choice Award

 

2005/2006    Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint, drypoint)

                     Alleghany High School.  Sponsored by the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts
Center and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.                                              

 

2005             Main Street Art Show, Lynchburg, VA – Best in Show                                  

 

2001 - 2006  Artist in Education Residency-Exploring Art and Creativity.  Bethune

                     Nursery School, Lynchburg, VA.  School is a United Way Agency.  Residencies
sponsored by Lynchburg Division of Social Services.      

                                                                       

2001             Artist Study Grant - Virginia Commission for the Arts Artist in Education Program.

                             

2000                          Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph, drypoint)

Jack Jouett Middle School, Charlottesville, VA.  Residency sponsored by the
Jack Jouett Middle School PTO and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.                                                           

                     Artist in Education Residency-Printmaking (collagraph on paper and fabric)

                     McIntosh Elementary School, Newport News, VA.  Residency sponsored by

                     the Peninsula Fine Arts Center and the Newport News Commission for the Arts                                                      

                     Artist in Education Residency-Papermaking (cast paper tiles)

                     Forest Elementary School, Forest, VA.  Residency funded by the Forest

                      Elementary PTO.

                     “Equinox Open”, Rock Creek Gallery: Juror’s Choice Award-Best in Show.           

 

1999/2000    Artist in Education Residency – Printmaking (drypoint, monoprint)

                     Alleghany High School. Sponsored by the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts
Center and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.                                                                      

                     Artist in Education Residency - Printmaking (collagraph, drypoint)

Yorktown Middle School and Tabb Middle School.  Residency coordinated by the
Yorktown Arts Foundation and funded by the York County School System and
the Virginia Commission for the Arts

 

1998             Artist in Education Residency - Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint)         

Yorktown Elementary School.  Residency sponsored by the Peninsula Fine Arts
Center and Hampton Roads Junior Women’s Club, Newport News, VA.

                                                                                                                                               

1997             Artist in Education Residency – Printmaking (collagraph, drypoint) Grafton
Middle School, and Queens Lake Middle School. Residency coordinated by the
Yorktown Art Foundation and funded by the York County School System and the
Virginia Commission for the Arts.      

                                                                                                                                   

1996             Seventh Annual Gloria Fitzgibbons Juried Art Competition: Winner

                     Artist Study Grant -Virginia Commission for the Arts Artist in Education Program.

                     Artist in Education Residency – Painting- Green Valley Elementary School,
Roanoke County.  Funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the
Green Valley Elementary School PTA.

                     Artist in Education Residency – Papermaking (sheet forming, pulp painting,
cast paper)  Waller Mill Elementary School and Yorktown Elementary School. 
Residency coordinated the Yorktown Arts Foundation and funded by the Virginia
Commission for the Arts and the York County School System.

                                                                                   

1995             Artist in Education Residency – Printmaking (collagraphs, drypoint, monoprint)
Alleghany High School and Covington High School. Sponsored by the Alleghany
Highlands Arts and Crafts Arts Center and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

1992             Artist in Education – Broken tile mural.                                                       

                     Boonsboro Elementary School. Residency funded by the Virginia Commission
for the Arts, and Boonsboro Elementary School, Lynchburg, VA.     

                                                                                                                                   

COMMISSIONS

                     “Saving Grace”, 2005, Snidow Chapel, Lynchburg College, VA

“Pope Benedict XVI”, 2005, St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church,

Lynchburg, VA  
                                                 

COLLECTIONS

Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA

Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA

Virginia Executive Mansion Collection, Richmond, Virginia

Johnson & Johnson, The Spectacle Lens Group, Roanoke, VA

Monroeville Public Library, Monroeville, PA

Pennsylvania State University, New Kensington Campus, PA

Pearson Cancer Center, Lynchburg, VA

Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA

The Summit, Centra Health, Lynchburg, VA                                                    

                              University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, Pittsburgh, PA

                              Work in numerous private collections in the United States, Ireland and France.

                                                                                                                                   

MEMBERSHIPS

                     Studio Art Quilt Associates

                     Professional Art Quilt Alliance – South

                     Surface Design Association

                     Fiber Transformed

                     National League of American Penwomen

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cooledge, Kathy: “In Response,” The Quilter, The Quilters’ Guild of the British
Isles; Journal No. 116; Autumn 2008: pp.16-17.

Cooledge, Kathy: “In Response at Ely Cathedral,” Workbox; June/July 2008,

No. 111: pp.34-36.

Ferrin, Cheryl Dineen, ed.:Studio Art Quilt Associates Portfolio 14, 2007: p.98

Bellah, Mary Beth: “Wish You Were Here,” FiberArts; April/May 2007: pp.20-21.

Nguyen, Janet: “Keeping minds open to creativity,”  The News and Advance;
March 25, 2006:D1.

Ferrin, Cheryl Dineen, ed.:Studio Art Quilt Associates Portfolio 13, 2005: p.94

Goerig, Margaret: “The Fabric of life,” The News and Advance;

March 22, 2005: C1

Ferrin, Cheryl Dineen, ed.:Studio Art Quilt Associates Portfolio 12, 2005: p.81

Fulcher, Kristi: “Fiber Art: cultured expressions,” New City Life;

Nov/Dec 2004: p21.

Goerig, Margaret: “A Jill (Jensen) of all trades,” The News and Advance;

March 4, 2004: B3

 

EDUCATION

 

1979-2007    Classes and workshops.  Princeton Art Association, Pittsburgh Center for Art,
Touchstone Center for Crafts, Art Student League of New York, Academy of
Fine Arts, Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Pyramid Atlantic, Arrowmont School for
Arts and Crafts, Sweet Briar College.

 

1978             Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York, NY

                     Master of Science - Metallurgy.

 

1976             College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, Bachelor of Science – Chemistry.