Anna Lentz is a visual artist and arts educator living in Dundee, IL. She studied anthropology, women’s studies, and studio art at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN as well as community art at California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA. She earned her MA in Art Education at School of the Arts Institute, Chicago, IL. Her research interests include community-based art education, hospitality, and vernacular art. Anna currently processes her emotions and life happenings through painting and sewing vibrant colors and shapes. She also explores the natural worlds of her woodland home where she practices conservation and agroforestry.
Exhibitions & Awards
“Beneath The Surface,” ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL 2024
“Open Call,” La Grange art League, La Grange, IL 2024
“12th Annual Bridgeport Art Center’s Art Competition,” Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL 2024
“Woman Made Gallery 25th International Open,” Woman Made Gallery, juried by Priscilla Otani Chicago, IL – 2024
“Small Works, Big Impressions,” Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL – 2024
“Not Your Mother’s Quilt,” Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL – 2023
Won an Award of Merit, judged by Emily Parson, who said, “This piece is a stunner due to the glorious color palette and the strong imagery. The nod to flying geese, even done in a unique manner is fun and it is obvious that the fierce wolf (although made softer and more beautiful with the floral embroidery) holds a very special significance to this artist.”
“Art Of The Land,” The Land Conservancy, Harvard, IL – 2022, 2023
“Fringe Festival”, “Insiders Show”, “Monochrome Purple”, “Year 11”, Side Street Studios Art, Elgin, IL – 2023 – 2024
“Figures And Faces,” Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL 2024
Solo Exhibitions
“These Trees Are Portals,” One River School of Art and Design, Evanston, IL – 2024 (upcoming -this August)
“Interior Painting,” Geneva Public Library, Geneva, IL – 2024
Artist Projects
Dream Academy Mural Project, Dream Academy, Elgin, Il, – 2024
Woolgathering Magazine and Podcast, Spring Bird, Dundee, IL, 2017 – 2022
Woven Banners, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aurora, IL, -2017
Meditation Chamber: Mural and Installation, Forest of the Peace, Sand Springs, OK, – 2016
Collaborative School Mural, Lincoln Elementary School, Elmhurst, IL, – 2015
Indoor School Mural, St. Therese of Jesus Catholic School, Aurora, IL, -2014
Outdoor School Mural, Lincoln Elementary School, Oak Park, IL, – 2014
Outdoor Public Mural, Oak Park Art Commission, Mini Mural Project, Oak Park, IL, – 2013
Education
Master of Arts in Art Education, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL –2014-December 2015
Dean’s Scholarship Recipient, Clay Morrison Scholarship Recipient
Completed coursework towards BFA in Community Arts, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA – 2005-2006
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Women’s studies, Magna Cum Laude, -1999-2003
Minor in Studio Art, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN