Ann Cheeks in an internationally recognized artist who has been painting for 20 years. She grew up in Western Maryland and Central Virginia, where the freedom to roam and explore the outdoors formed her sensibility and love of the natural world.
The artist believes strongly in the power of art to heal and transform lives. Ann’s work is of “places where the viewer can feel calm, grounded and whole.” Her work is in many private collections and many healthcare collections including National Institutes of Health, The University of Virginia Healthcare System and Rockingham Memorial Hospital.
Ann has had numerous solo and two-person exhibitions throughout the U.S. Her art has been accepted into many shows juried by distinguished art leaders such as Larry Rinder, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Whitney Museum of American Art and Ashley Kistler, associate curator from the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. Her work has won awards in many competitions including Manhattan Arts International's “HerStory,” International Artist magazine and The Artist’s Magazine.
She earned a BFA from the School of Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work as an artist, teacher, and creator of public art projects have been the subject of many articles including those in the Times Picayune (New Orleans, LA) and Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA). In addition, she teaches and works with children to share and empower them with the joy of creating.
Selected Exhibitions & Awards
*solo and two person exhibitions
April – May 2019 "Landscapes of the Valley", invitational show at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, VA
*October 2017 "Quiet Beauty", solo show at Angelo Jewelry, Charlottesville, VA
April – May 2017 Award of Excellence, Manhattan Arts International “HerStory”
*May – July 2016 “Recent Work from 4 Corners Area”, 2 woman show with Diane Quarles, Ridgway Public Library, Ridgway CO
*February 2015 “For the Love of It”, 2 woman show with Ann Dettmer, Ah Haa School of Art, Telluride CO
March 2015 and February 2014 “New Regional Work”, juried show at the Ah Haa School of Art, Telluride CO
September 2013 La Cocina de Luz, “Ravens”, Telluride CO
*May – June 2012 Oasis Gallery, invitational solo show of new work, Harrisonburg, VA
April – June 2012 Richeson 75 International Landscape, Seascape & Architectural competition and exhibit (2 of 3 entries chosen as finalists, 1 of 3 entries chosen as meritorious entry)
June – July 2012 Featured finalist in International Artists magazine “Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes Competition”
*May 2010 Darrin–McHone Gallery, Arts Council of the Valley, solo show of new work, Harrisonburg, VA
*September 2009 University of Virginia Healthcare System, “Places Loved”, solo show
*April 2008 Women’s Institute and Gallery, solo show, New Harmony IN
March 2007 Les Yeux du Monde, “Celebrating Women in the Arts”, invitational group show, Charlottesville, VA
*March 2006 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Art Gallery, 2 woman show, Raleigh, NC
*November 2006 McGuffey Art Center, Sara Smith Gallery, “American in NZ”, solo show, Charlottesville VA
August 2000 and 2002 Finalist in The Artist’s Magazine annual competition (1 of 50 chosen from 13,000 entries)
June – July 2002 “20th Annual Juried Exhibition” juried group show at Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art, New York, NY. Juror, Larry Rinder, Whitney Museum of American Art
June – July 2001 Barristers Gallery, “Women Without Walls”, group show, New Orleans LA
July 1999 Fellowship at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, admission by jury, Mt. St. Angelo, VA
June – July 1999 “The Figure Revisited”, juried group show, Art Academy of Chicago IL
April – May 1998, 1999 (Merit Award) and May – June 2000 “Paintings from the Piedmont”, juried group show, Charlottesville, VA
April – May 1997 First Place Award, “Paintings from the Piedmont”, juried group show, Charlottesville, VA.
Juror, Ashley Kistler, associate curator, 20th Century Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art
Public Art
Spring – Fall 2015: Concept, design, creation and supervision of 100’ x 4’’ exterior mosaic wall and 100’ x 7’ mural at the Naturita Elementary School, Naturita CO. Made possible by a grant from “Just for Kids” through the Ah Haa School of Art in Telluride CO and public/private support, in collaboration with Naomi Marshall (art teacher from Nucla High School). Worked with 120+ elementary school children from concept, drawings to training/supervising and construction of mosaic.
Summer 2013: As part of a Ridgway CO “MoonWalk”, designed and created a 4’ diameter circular glass mosaic in collaboration with the community (adults and children). The work is installed in the public park on the band stand, Ridgway CO.
Work In Corporate and Private Collections
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA
Martha Jefferson Hospital Women’s Center, Charlottesville, VA
Albemarle Square Family Healthcare, Charlottesville, VA
Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, VA
Women’s Institute and Gallery, New Harmony, IN
and many private collections