Keeara Rhoades

Keeara Rhoades Biography

Multimedia Artist, Keeara Rhoades was born and raised on the Wyoming side of the Black Hills. She is curious and devoted to meaning-making.

Graduating Summa Cum Laude (BFA 2005, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis), Keeara continued her studies in Photo Media at the University of Washington (MFA 2005-08), and has studied Studio Art in Rome, has taught Studio Art in Spain, and exhibited nationally and internationally.

While living and working as an exhibiting artist in Seattle for over a decade, Keeara began cultivating her art practice, centered around artist collaborations, multi-media film productions, script and song writing, playing drums, and performing. Keeara relocated to Billings, Montana in 2017, accepting a tenure-track teaching position with Montana State University Billings leading the Photography and New Media Art Program, teaching both digital and chemical photographic processes, video, animation, sound, and installation art.

As Artist-in-Residence with the Yellowstone Art Museum since January 2020, Keeara has occupied the Gary and Melissa Oakland Artist Studio in the YAM’s Visible Vault, filming and producing content for, “The Shape of a Corner”, her multimedia solo exhibition at the Yellowstone Art Museum.

Education                                                               

2008  MFA, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2005  BFA Summa Cum Laude, Photography and Art History, Herron School of Art and Design, Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN  
2000  BA, Graphic Art and English Photojournalism, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE

Art Exhibitions, Performances, Productions, Installations

2023 Exhibiting Artist, Across the Divide, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT (April 14 - July 29).
Production/Media-Animation Director, Alice in Wonderland Ballet, Collaboration with the School of Classical Ballet and Montana Sate University Billings (MSUB) New Media Art Program, Sponsored by MSUB Department of Art and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Montana State University Billings, MT. (March 3 - 4).

Iverson, Jake. “It Might Get a Little Weird”, Billings Gazette, March 3, 2023. https://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/it-might-get-a-little-weird-ballet-school-and-msub-arts-collaborate-on-production-of/article_ddfab7ee-b865-11ed-9c65-23c20b438257.html

2022 Solo Exhibition, The Shape of a Corner, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT (August 15 - November 13).

Iverson, Jake. “New YAM installation allows a peek into Keeara Rhoades' surreal world”, Billings Gazette, Sept 22, 2022. https://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/new-yam-installation-allows-a-peek-into-keeara-rhoades-surreal-world/article_eb0bbb06-391f-11ed-85e8-47cddd1d5e3f.htm

Exhibiting Artist, "Kirks' Small Works 2," Kirks Grocery, Billings, MT (December 2 - 24).
Exhibiting Artist, MIXX13, Studio Jon Lodge, Billings, MT (June 3-5).
     Exhibiting Artist, "Kirks' Small Works," Kirks Grocery, Billings, MT. (February 4 - March 19).
2021     Feature Artist, "This week at the YAM: Artist in Residence: Keeara Rhoades," KULR 8, Billings, MT (July 19).
Virtual Video Premiere, Let's mask a Face, Yellowstone Art Museum, FAM @ the YAM, Billings, MT (SEPT 4).
2020     Performance & Artist Talk, I have something to tell you (unabridged), “Wednesday’s With” at Kirk’s Grocery, Billings, MT (MAR 11)
              Radio Interview, Resounds: Kirk’s Grocery, Yellowstone Public Radio (with Anna Paige, Corby Skinner, Shane De Leon, Ty Herman), https://www.ypradio.org/post/resounds-kirks-grocery#stream/0
Exhibiting Artist, MIXX7: Reckless (MEME Warfare), Kirk’s Grocery, Billings, MT
2019       Solo Exhibition, “The Prize Inside”, Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
Performance & Artist Talk, “Goodnight, Son”, Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings, Billings MT (Oct 17)
2018       Art Film, “Waiting for Gorky’s Mother, Child’s Companion (Companion) , with Dr. Leanne Gilbertson (PhD) and Brian Wetzstein, Produced in cooperation with the Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, Montana, with funding from Art Bridges and inspired by the life and work of Arshile Gorky. A Sofamouse Production. Painting by Arshile Gorky, "Child’s Companion", 1945, oil and graphite on canvas, © 2018 The Arshile Gorky Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Exhibiting Artist, Montana Triennial 2018, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
Production/Performance/Installation, “Digging in the Dugout”, 4ZERO7 Gallery, Billings, MT (with Brian Wetzstein)
               Exhibiting Artist, Montana State University Billings Art Department Faculty Show, Northcutt Steele Gallery, Billings, MT
               Exhibiting Artist, MIXX7, 4ZERO7 Gallery, Billings, MT
2017        PCNW Presents Exhibiting Artist, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
                Presenting Artist, Dreamland Sinkhole, Andralamusya, Seattle, WA
2015        Performing Artist, Art of the City Festival, (Aug 1) Seattle, WA
                Exhibiting Artist, Bellingham National Art Biennial, Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA
                Artist Residency, Cutie Beauty & The BAT-SWING Fly; The More Things Change, Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), Seattle WA
                  Gogo Lidz. ‘The More Things Change Exhibit Will Push Your Buttons’, Exhibition Review, Newsweek, February 23, 2015
                  http://www.newsweek.com/new-exhibit-change-opens-fast-growing-seattle-308761
                Performing Artist, Cutie Beauty’s Garage GLAM Yard Sale, NEPO 5K, Seattle, WA
               Artist Residency, Cutie Beauty Live, Andralamusya, Seattle WA
2014        Performing Artist, Cutie Beauty & Cub-Sometimes-Cat in a Cave Pram, NEPO 5K, Seattle, WA
                Artist Production/Performance, A Cub Shower for Cutie Beauty, Andralamusya, Seattle WA
2013        Producer, Cutie Beauty & The Trailer Of Doom!, Leon, Spain (with Paul Berger, Studio Art in Spain, UW Art341)
                Solo Production/Performance, Cutie Beauty & the Beast Bear-Sometimes-Man, Andralamusya, Seattle
                Graves, Jen. ‘Keeara Rhoades is Kind of a Chameleon’, Artist Feature & Interview, The Stranger A&P, Winter Issue, 2013,  http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/keeara-rhoades/Content?oid=18391788
                Performing Artist, A Ballad for Cutie Beauty, NEPO 5K Don’t Run Art Event, Seattle, WA
                Exhibiting Artist, ReVision: Photo Center Faculty Exhibition, Photo Center NW, Seattle, W
               Performing Artist, Swimming the List Beijing, The Project Space, Seattle, WA (with SJ Lee Ensemble)
2012 —    Production/Performance, Pretty Fences; When They Move They Take Their Fence With Them, NEPO 5K Don’t Run, Seattle, WA
2011-13    Drummer, Heightened Culture, Seattle, WA (with The Deadrones)

2011-13    Drummer, Heightened Culture, Seattle, WA (with The Deadrones); The Strike Zone, Seattle, WA (with Bitsyras)
2011         Solo Production/Performance, Take Me Out To Play, SAM Remix, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
                Solo Exhibition, Undercover Holidays, Gallery 4Culture, Seattle, WA
                Graves, Jen. ‘Keeara Rhoades’ Garage Glam Baseball Team’ The Stranger Slog, Seattle, WA, July 28, 2011
                 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/07/28/currently-hanging-keeara-rhodess-garage-glam-baseball-team
                 Sinclair, T. Craig. ‘Review Short: Undercover Holidays at Gallery4Culture’ Regrade Seattle Art Blog, July 25, 2011
                  http://regradeseattle.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/short-undercover-holidays-at-gallery4culture/
                Performing Artist, Swimming the List, Theatre Off Jackson, Seattle, WA (with SJ Lee Ensemble)

2010        Public Art Installation, Waiting On The Sun, King County Metro Bus Shelter Project in partnership with Photographic Center Northwest and 4Culture, Seattle, WA
                Exhibiting Artist, Picture Us: PCNW Faculty Exhibition, Photo Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
2009        Exhibiting Artist, The Thin Tissue of Likeness, SCA Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, NM (curated by Patrick Manning)
                Exhibiting Artist, Moore Theatre – Inside Out: Inside the Dome Exterior, Free Sheep Foundation, Seattle Theatre Group, 4Culture, Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
                Art Installation, green violet mule baby pickle, Free Sheep Foundation (3rd/Battery), Seattle, WA
                Performing Artist, SAM Remix, Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA (with SJ Lee Ensemble)
                Performing Artist, For These Unclosings, New City Theatre, Theatre Off Jackson, Seattle, WA (with SJ Lee Ensemble)

2008-11    Drummer, False Fronts, Seattle, WA (with Prints of China)

2008        MFA Thesis Exhibition, White Noise & Suppose You Stub Your Toe, Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2007        Exhibiting Artist, Works on Paper, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Exhibiting Artist, MFA Works in Progress: Over the Line, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, Seattle, WA  
                Exhibiting Artist, Pingyao International Photography Festival, University of Washington, Pingyao Shanxi Province, China
                Exhibiting Artist, Time Works & Digital Video, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, UW, Seattle, WA (curated by Eric Fredericksen)
2006        Exhibiting Artist, Studio Art in Rome Exhibition, Palazzo del Biscone 95 via Campo di Fiore, Rome, Italy
                Solo Performance, Tiber River Capture, Tiber River at Ponte Girabaldi, Rome, Italy
                Exhibiting Artist, MFA Works In Progress Show, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, UW, Seattle, WA
                Exhibiting Artist, Homage to Nam June-Paik, D’Adamo/Woltz Gallery, Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA (with Shawn Dirks)
2005        Exhibiting Artist, Emerging Artist Student Exhibition, D’Adamo/Woltz Gallery, Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
                Producer/Performing Artist, The Middle Temperature, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN (with ESL/Tuttle Kite)
                BFA Photography Thesis Exhibition, Herron School of Art, Madison Studios and Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
                BFA Photography Show, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN
2004        Exhibiting Artist, The Bratton Award Show, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN
                Exhibiting Artist, Beyond Good and Evil, Harrison Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
               Producer/Performing Artist, Happy Chinese Billie Holiday, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN (with ESL/Tuttle Kite)
2003        Producer/Performing Artist, Before You Break, Wheeler Art Theatre, Indianapolis, IN (with ESL/Tuttle Kite)

Select Honors & Awards

2022       Named, “Artist of the Year”, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings MT
Helen and Winston Cox Fellowship, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
Pre-Tenure Scholarship Enhancement Grant, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
               Professional Development Grant, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
2020-22 Artist-In-Residence, Gary and Melissa Oakland Studio, Visible Vault, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2020 Creative and Research Endeavors (CARE) Grant, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
2019-21 Collaborative Curricular Innovation Grant, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
2018       Professional Development Grant, Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT
2017       PCNW Presents Artist, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
2012        Contemporary Northwest Art Awards Candidate, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
2010        Faculty Advisory Board (Elected Member), Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
2011         SAM Remix Artist, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
                Gallery 4Culture Exhibition & Honorarium, Gallery 4Culture, Seattle, WA
                Professional Development Funding, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
                4Culture Group Artist Projects Grant; Jack Straw Residency; Theatre Off Jackson Residency (SJ Lee Ensemble), Seattle, WA
2008        Teaching and Graduating with Excellence Awards Candidate (PhotoMedia Nominee, MFA), University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Research Assistantship (Professor Paul Berger), University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2007–08  Honorary Third Year Study MFA Photography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Co-Director and Curator, STRANGE Coupling, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2007        Reader (American Architecture, Professor Henry Matthews), University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Juror’s Award, Time Works & Digital Arts Show, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2006        Study Abroad Program (Studio Art in Rome), University of Washington Rome Center, Rome, Italy
2005        Davis Fellowship (MFA Photography), University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Graduate of Highest Distinction (BFA), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
                Menz Award Candidate (BFA Photography), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
2004        MFA Graduate School Acceptance: International Center of Photography / Bard College, New York City, NY
                MFA Graduate School Acceptance and Scholarship: School of Visual Arts, New York City, NY
                MFA Graduate School Acceptance and Davis Fellowship: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
                Bratton Award (BFA Photography), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
                Joseph Van Sickel Award, (BFA Photography), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
                Bates Art Scholarship (BFA), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
                Robert’s Distributor Scholarship (BFA), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
2003        Eli Lilly Scholarship (BFA Photography), Herron School of Art / IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN

Awards 1992–2002

Golden Leaf Award (Feature Photo), Nebraska Collegiate Media Association, 2000
Feature Photo Award (Collegiate Division 4-year College), Wyoming Press Association, 2000
Best Open Page Design Award (Collegiate Division 4-year College), Wyoming Press Association, 2000
Photo Story Award (Collegiate Division 4-year College), Wyoming Press Association, 2000
Golden Leaf Award (Advertising Design), Nebraska Collegiate Media Association, 1999
First Place: News Photo, Sports Photo, Feature Essay, The Eagle Student Newspaper, Chadron State College, 1999
Second Place: Feature Photo, The Eagle Student Newspaper, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE, 1999
Foundation Scholarship, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE, 1996
First Place: Sculpture, Wyoming State Art Symposium, Casper, WY, 1996
Kyle Quigley Memorial Swimming Scholarship, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1996
Randy Chittum Memorial Scholarship, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1996
National Honor Society, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1995-96
Class President, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1994-1996
Class Vice President, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1992-94
Wyoming All State, Swimming, 1995
Wyoming All State Honorable Mention, Swimming, 1994
Voting Delegate, Wyoming Association of Student Councils Convention, Laramie, WY, 1996
Wyoming Association of Student Councils Workshop Presenter Award, Laramie, WY, 1996
Delegate, National Association of Student Councils, Omaha, NE, 1995
Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award, Newcastle High School, Newcastle, WY, 1994-95
National Physical Education Award, USAA, 1994
Newcastle High School Letterman (Swimming 1992-95, Track 1993-96), Newcastle, WY

Professional & Leadership Experience

2017—   Assistant Professor of Art, Montana State University Billings, Billings MT
2020     Guest Artist Educator, Yellowstone Art Museum Education YAM Camp, Billings, MT (AUG 6)
2019 Workshop Presenter, “Hit or Miss: Making Social Media Videos that Pack a Punch!”, Yellowstone Art Museum Education, Billings, MT, August 8th and 15th.
2018 Artist Panel, Waiting For Gorky’s Mother: Child’s Companion (Companion), Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT (with Dr. Leanne Gilbertson, Bob Durden, Mary Serbe, Brian Wetzstein)
2017     Presenter, Arts Educators Workshop: Educator's Day, "Focus on Photography", Yellowstone Art Museum Education, Billings, MT
2016        Guest Photography Critic, University of Washington School of Art, Seattle, WA
2009—    Visual Media Production and Consultation, Seattle, WA
2009-17   Visiting Lecturer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2009-17   Faculty, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
(courses taught: Thesis, Installation, Junior Seminar, Digital Photography 1, Digital Photography 2, Photo 3, BW Photo 2, The Creative Portrait, Creative Night Photography, Art and Digital Video, City Panorama, Advanced Color Photography)
2012-15   Faculty,  Lakeside School Summer Upper School, Seattle, WA (BW Photography, Digital Media, Service Learning)
2015       Visiting Artist Lecture/Performance, "Cutie Beauty & the Dali Bullroarer", collaboration, UW ART260, Timea Tihanyi. University of Washington School of Art, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle WA, Feb. 25.
2014       Visiting Artist Lecture/Performance, "Identity: Cutie Beauty presents, Dali Bull Playing Card Deck", collaboration, UW ART260, Timea Tihanyi. University of Washington School of Art, Seattle WA, Feb. 14.
2013       Co-Director and Visiting Lecturer, Studio Art in Spain, University of Washington School of Art and UW Leon Center, Leon, Spain (Spring 2013 with Professor Curt Labitzke)
              Curator, “Our Lives … Fleeting Timelines”, Student Exhibition, Photo Center Northwest, Nov 1 - Dec 31, 2013.
               Photo Assistant, "Portraits with Alice Wheeler," Photo Center Northwest (PCNW) 20th Anniversary Benefit, PCNW, Seattle, WA
2013      Presenting Artist, “Keeara Rhoades & Hanita Schwartz: Boundaries,” Building Community Through Inclusion, Society of Photographic Education (SPE) Regional Conference, Seattle, WA, November, 2013. 
               Artist / Panelist “Swimming The List,” Tracing Legacy and Shaping How We Are Remembered, The Project Room, Seattle, WA,
2012       Associate Faculty, Everett Community College, Everett, WA
2011        Panelist, “Collecting and Preserving Photography”, sponsored by the Tacoma Art Museum, hosted by John and Shari Behnke, coordinated by the Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle WA.
                Guest Photography Critic, University of Washington School of Art, Seattle, WA
2010        Adjunct Professor (Sabbatical Replacement), University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA       
                Art Reviewer, Crosscurrents: University of Puget Sound Literary & Arts Magazine, Volume 51, Issue II, Spring 2010.
                Panelist, Artist Work In-Progress & Discussion, SJ Lee Ensemble, Jack Straw, Seattle, WA
               Artist Lecture, “Appropriation & Intervention”, Seattle University, Seattle, WA       
               Artist Presentation and Demo, “For These Unclosings,” SJ Lee Ensemble, Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA
                Artist Lecture, “Photo Center NW Faculty Artist Lectures,” Making a Scene, Photo Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
                Producer/Presenter, "SJ Lee Ensemble Presents, Video Draw", University of Washington School of Art, Seattle, WA
2008        Artist Presentation, “Master of Fine Arts Photography Thesis Presentation", University of Washington School of Art, Seattle, WA
                Panelist, "Master of Fine Arts…", University of Washington Career Discovery Week, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
               Teaching Artist, Seattle Center Academy Summer Youth Program, Seattle, WA
                Adjunct Professor, International Academy of Design and Technology, Seattle WA
2006–08   Instructor of Record, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (courses taught: Art140 Basic BW Photography, Spring 2006; Art140 Basic Photography, Winter 2007, Fall 2007; Honors Photography, Spring 2007; Art342 Installation, Winter 2008)
2007        Artist Presentation "MFA Source Presentations", University of Washington School of Art, Seattle, WA
2005        Panel Discussion Co-Organizer (with UW Professor Rebecca Cummins), "Art as a Social Document", Featuring artist perspectives on how works which address public practice/social justice/documentary traditions/political activism fit into the central issues of contemporary art.
2005        Teaching Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Art140 Basic Photography, Fall 2005) Professor Rebecca Cummins
2004-05   Art Director, Matrix Photographic Imaging, Indianapolis, IN
               Photography Instructor, Herron School of Art Saturday School, Indianapolis, IN
2004        Teaching Assistant, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN (Photography 3) Adjunct Professor, Mary Schroder
2002-04   Art Director/Webmaster, Baristart Inc., Indianapolis, IN
2000-02   Graphic Designer, VIFI/Digital Insight, Indianapolis, INCommunity, Conferences, Membership

2020 Video Production, Yellowstone Art Museum Live Auction 52, Billings, MT
2018         Conference Attendance, "Uncertain Times: Borders, Refuge, Community, Nationhood", SPE National Conference, Society of Photographic Education, Philadelphia, PA
2014         Donating Artist, "Dail Bull Playing Cards", Soil Annual Art Auction, “Spring Fling", Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle WA
2011          Donating Artist, "Catcher Tryouts", PHOTOLUST, PCNW Benefit Auction, Photo Center NW, Seattle, WA
                 Donating Artist, "Posing With Ronald", Soil Annual Art Auction, Seattle Design Center, Seattle WA
2010  —    Member, College Art Association
2010         Donating Artist, "Gestation and Breathing”, Longshot Exhibition, Photo Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
                 Donating Artist, "On One”, PHOTOLUST Miniatures Exhibition, PCNW Benefit Auction, Photo Center NW, Seattle, WA
2009  —    Member, Photographic Center Northwest
2009         Donating Artist, “So Blue (on a zipline)”, Longshot Fundraising Exhibition, Photo Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
                 Donating Artist, "On One”, Go Fish: Soil Annual Art Auction, Lawrimore Project, Seattle WA
2008         Production Crew, "The Silvering Path", Degenerate Art Ensemble, Seattle, WA
2007         Donating Artist, "Spin Cycle”, A Benefit for Coupling V: Spin Cycle, Sandpoint Studios and Gallery, UW, Seattle, WA
2006  —    Member, Society of Photographic Education (SPE)
2006         Strange Coupling Artist, "Cul-de-Sac”, Coupling IV: Secret Handshake, Center On Contemporary Art (COCA), Seattle, WA
                 Donating Artist, "Shrinky-Dink”, A Benefit for Coupling IV: Illuminaughty, Center On Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA