Bio
Born in the Midwest, and raised in Winnetka Illinois, Gail Kolflat earned a BFA with Honors from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Her artistic career blossomed after developing a signature style of large-scale colorful canvases that meld abstract and representational components. Through the 1990s, Gail exhibited frequently, gave artist talks and demonstrations, wrote a column for the county art council's bimonthly newspaper, and maintained a robust studio practice.
Near the turn of the century she took a break from art while raising her daughters. Fifteen years later, an invitation from a local university to participate in an exhibition in their gallery, sparked a complete revival in the artist’s practice. Since then, she has produced a fresh body of work, a renewal of earlier paintings but evolved - encompassing expanded topics, modified techniques, and a distinct, mature sensibility. Her recent works portray a bold use of space and color, with themes of social commentary.
Abbreviated Resume
SELECT SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
Jacob Javits Federal Building, (lobby) New York City
State House, Trenton, NJ, Office of the Secretary
University Club of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Johnson and Johnson World headquarters, Rotunda Gallery, NJ
David Brodsky Gallery, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ
Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Crenson Gallery, Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY
Gilbert Gallery, Porters, Farmington, CT
AFA Gallery, Scranton, PA
ArtSpace 105, Monmouth Arts, Red Bank, NJ
Adler Gallery, Port Washington Library, NY
Edward Williams Gallery, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Winnetka Women's Club, Winnetka, Illinois
Sandy Bennett Gallery, Bergen Performing Arts Center, NJ
Saint Peters Church, Liv Room Gallery (54th Street) New York City
Heinz W Otto Gallery, Watchung Arts Center, NJ
East Haven Cultural Arts Council, Connecticut
Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft, NJ
Gallery West – Salute to Women in the Arts, Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural Affairs, NJ
Harrison Library, Harrison, NY
York Flournoy Ambiance, Wilmette, Illinois
SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington
Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, New Rochelle, New York
Trenton City Museum, Ellarslie Open, New Jersey
Museum Of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts
Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, New Jersey
Lucia Gallery, New York City - National Association Of Women Artists, Soho, New York City
CALYX Cover Girls Art Show, Interstate Cultural Center, Portland, Oregon
New Jersey Center for the Visual Arts, Summit, New Jersey
Women’s Caucus For Art, NY City & Hartford, Connecticut
The "A" Gallery, Palm Desert, California
Milford Fine Arts Council, Milford, Connecticut
Greene Art Gallery, Guilford, Connecticut
SELECT AWARDS:
National Association Of Women Artists, Annual Exhibition, NY, NY, Beatrice Jackson Memorial Award —-- Jurors: Miriam Shapiro, Mary Anne Unger, and Amei Wallach
Manhattan Arts Magazine, Award of Excellence, Cover Art Competition
Art Horizons International Art Competition, New York, Certificate Of Excellence In Painting —— Jurors: Ellen Handy, Metropolitan Museum, NYC, Illene Susan Fort, Los Angeles County Museum, Walter Robinson, Art in America Art Critic
Artists' Liaison National Competition, Santa Monica, California, A Competition Winner
EDUCATION:
Parsons School Of Design, BFA with Honors, New York City
SELECT PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA:
Philadelphia Style Magazine, “5 Exhibits to See Before the End Of Summer,” Claudia Langetta
CALYX, Journal of Art & Literature by Women, Painting featured on Front & Back Cover (full color)
The Star Ledger, "Art-of-the-state panoramas" by Eileen Watkins
New Jersey Network (PBS Television) ARTS TICKET
Time Capsule: A Concise Encyclopedia by Women Artists
Radio Interview, featured Artist, The Arts in Bergen County With Nell Basset
Former Editor of “ Portrait Of The Artist; Artist Profiles,” State of the Art, Monmouth County Arts Council’s bimonthly newspaper
USA Today mycentraljersey.com “Artist Gail Kolflat exhibits at Watchung Arts Center” Joe Higgins
New Jersey Monthly, (magazine) “Out & About,” by Cara Birnbaum
Artsy Shark, featured artist, by Carolyn Edlund