Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1973, Alexandra Ackerman grew up drawing, cutting, and sewing things from a very young age. She first learned to paint in the wet-on-wet watercolor style at the Waldorf School at age eight, and has continued her exploration until the present, maintaining a childlike freedom in her work. Alexandra earned a degree in painting and printmaking at Massachusetts College of Art, where she explored a variety of mediums, often incorporating fabric and found objects into her work. She was part of the Minneapolis art and music community for nearly a decade before moving to northern Wisconsin to start a family. Alexandra has participated in numerous group and solo shows across the US. She has work in public and private collections, and teaches watercolor workshops locally. She currently lives in Iowa City with her husband and two teenage children.
REPRESENTATION: Liz Lidgett Gallery, Des Moines, IA. Liz Lidgett Gallery
EXHIBITIONS: *denotes solo or two person show
2023. Serious Play: a Dialogue with Color, Pattern, and Form, Memorial Union Gallery, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. *
Dubuque Museum of Art Biennial Exhibition, Dubuque, IA.
Found and Formed: Materials in Conversation, with Emily Jalinsky, Porch Light Literary Arts Center, Iowa City, IA. *
A Joyous Commotion: selected watercolors, The James Theatre Gallery, Iowa City, IA. *
2022. Greater Des Moines Exhibited, Polk County Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, IA.
Color Stories, Auditorium Gallery, North Iowa Area Community College, Mason City, IA. *
2019. Places Seen and Unseen, Morrissey Gallery, Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA. *
Outside-In, with Pacia Salome, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA. *
2018. Women's Art Exhibit, Iowa State Capitol, Governor's formal office, Des Moines, IA.
2017. Community of Artists, Biennial Exhibit, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA.
New Works, Times Club Gallery @ Prairie Lights Bookstore, Iowa City, IA. *
2016. New Watercolors, Project Art @ U of I Hospital, temporary exhibits , Iowa City, IA. *
2015. Botanica, juried group show at Bedford Gallery, Oakland, CA.
Motley Cow Cafe, Iowa City, IA. *
2014. Small Works, juried exhibition at Chait Galleries, Iowa City, IA.
Solo Show at Urbanity Gallery, Iowa City, IA.
2012. and 2013 Small Works Show at Chait Galleries, Iowa City, IA.
2011. Celebration of Spring, Cass Street Gallery, La Crosse, WI. *
2010. New work, Jacki O’s Gallery, Galesville, WI. *
2008. Summer, group show, Superior Artists Gallery, Washburn, WI.
2007. Seasons, Superior Artists Gallery, Washburn, WI.
2006. New work, Good Thyme Cafe, Washburn, WI.
2005 - 2008 Created and birthed my two children, Ashland, WI.
2004. Salt of the Stars, Creative Electric Gallery, Minneapolis, MN. *
2003. Animal Farm, Creative Electric Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
2002. Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN.
Juried group exhibition, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN.
Fine Arts Show, Minneapolis Art Association, Minneapolis, MN.
Art-A-Whirl, Group show, Minneapolis, MN.
2000. Women Create, Group show, Minneapolis, MN.
Bedtime Stories and Morning Glories, Babylon Art and Cultural Center, with Jeremy Ackerman. Minneapolis, MN. *
1997. Senior Show, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA. 1996. Draw! Massachusetts College of Art, Boson, MA.
1995. Solo Show of paintings and poetry, Concord Public Library, Concord, MA. *
EDUCATION:
Massachusetts College of Art, BFA in painting and printmaking, 1997
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, fall semester, 1992
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, summer program, 1991
Other: Artist/Mother Workshop “Wearing All The Hats Without Losing Your Head”, a professional practice course, 2022
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS:
Featured in Kolaj Magazine, issue #39, 2024
Featured in Uppercase Magazine, issue #60, 2023
Art Purchase Prize, Iowa City Public Library, 2018 and 2014
Art in State Buildings, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics permanent collection, 2017
Featured artist in IA Magazine, 2014