Amanda Koss

STATEMENT

Amanda Koss captivates emotion and passion through using color, texture, movement and organic shapes. Amanda is an abstract expressionist located in Macomb Twp. with a studio in Detroit. Often using found objects or creating her own tools, she paints her through her thoughts and loves to embrace music!

BIO

Detroit based abstract expressionist, Amanda Koss, has been sharpening her skills as a painter for the past several years. Originally a graphic designer, Amanda has blended her art skills with her ten plus years of design experience, bringing a perfect marriage of her two passions.

Amanda’s evolution into abstract expressionism allows her to create art from her soul which is influenced by her life and the world around her. She often collects found objects to paint with or incorporate into her works. Her artwork flaunts bold color, organic shapes, hidden secrets and sometimes even a little texture!

Living in Macomb Twp., Amanda paints part time from her studio at the Russell Industrial Center while volunteering and raising a family. Amanda is the curator for a Michigan wide multi-artist traveling art exhibit. The exhibit, “Let’s Zoom: Self-Portraits of Our Artist Communities” launched in May 2021 and ends in September with four tours! It is composed of over 60 self-portraits inspired by living within the Covid-19 Pandemic. The exhibit has been featured in the Detroit News and Macomb Township Chronicle. Additionally, Amanda is the communications secretary for the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors which is the one of longest standing of the oldest self-sustaining women's art organizations in the United States, having been founded in 1903.

Working together with Crain Communications, Amanda has stepped in the role as Art Curator uniting local artists with free exhibition spaces. Artists are invited to showcase their work within the stunning Gallery at Brewery Park and within Crain Communications Headquarters in Detroit. The space that Crain offers has limitless opportunities for artists of all mediums.

August 2021, Amanda was recognized by Umoja Fine Arts Gallery in Southfield, MI, as one of Detroit’s most up and coming artists!

EXHIBITIONS/SHOWS/COMMISSIONS

Solo Exhibitions:
2022 - Downtown Detroit YMCA
(upcoming) 2022 - July - Livonia Fine Arts Gallery, Livonia, Michigan
(upcoming) 2022 - October - The Gallery at Brewery Park, Detroit, Michigan
(upcoming) 2022 - TBD - Boll YMCA, Detroit, Michigan, Detroit, Michigan

2021 - August - Westland City Hall Gallery, Westland, Michigan
2021 - February - The Congregation, Detroit, Michigan

Corporate Collections:
2020 - Amazon Corporate Campus, Detroit, Michigan
2021 - Sterling Heights Public Library, Sterling Heights, Michigan
2021 - Crain Communications World Headquarters, Detroit, Michigan

Curated Works:
2021, ongoing - Coordinator/Curator, Crain Communications, Detroit, Michigan
2021, ongoing - "Let's Zoom: Portraits of Our Artist Communities" Traveling Exhibit, various locations, Michigan

EDUCATION

2013 - Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Marketing, Rochester University, Rochester, Michigan
2010 - Associates in Graphic Design, Macomb Community College, Macomb, Michigan

AWARDS

Awards:
2019 - SterlingFest, First Place for art and booth, Sterling Heights, Michigan
2021 - Lawerence Street Gallery, "Think Small Exhibit", Second Place for "Early Morning", Ferndale Michigan

Accolades:
2021 - Recognized as one of Detroits Up and Coming Artists, Umoja Fine Arts, Southfield, Michigan.

Media:
2020 - 104.3 WOMC Interview
2020 - MSN, article
2021 - WJZZ Talkin' Down and Dirty About Art, Interview
2021 - C&G News, article
2021 - Detroit News, article

Affiliations:
2018 - Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, Detroit, Michigan
2018 - 2020, Member of Sterling Heights Arts Commission, Sterling Heights, Michigan
2020 - Volunteer Educator for The Tuxedo Project and Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan
2020 - current, Communications Secretary for Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, Detroit, Michigan
2021 - Donor to ArtWorks Detroit, Detroit, Michigan

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Art Director/Graphic Designer, Fathead/Farago Associates, Detroit, Michigan
Junior Art Director, American Laser Skincare/The Creative Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Graphic Designer, Save On Magazine, Troy, Michigan
Free-lance Graphic Designer, Rabut Printing, Utica, Michigan

TAGS

abstract artist, art, michigan, graphic, paintings, large scale, visually interesting, unique, expressive, bold, colorful, expressionisim