KRISTIN ABHALTER SMITH

Kristin Abhalter Smith creates experiences with anthropomorphic inflatable sculptures and expressive garments that create opportunities for physical response and mental release from conscious reality. She celebrates creativity and seeks to expand the definition of places where art can happen. As director of the exhibition space, ROMAN SUSAN Art, she has helped produce 150+ artist-led exhibitions and performances with 1000+ artists since 2012.

download: C.V. Exhibitions

download: C.V. Set Design

EXHIBITIONS

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

SIP — Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Flatland Presents: "An Atlas" Publication and series of events — Co-Prosperity, Chicago
Anything Can Be a Dragon, Anything Can Be A Snake — NEIU Gallery, Chicago, IL

Artists Run Chicago 2.0 — Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Grunt Work, with Vida Sačić — Art In Place, Terrain Exhibitions, Chicago, IL

We Are Gold Together — Terrain Exhibitions, Oak Park & Evanston, IL
Fábrica — with André Alves, Flatland, Chicago, IL
Like Sirens — curated by Erin Hayden, OPEN Gallery, Circle Contemporary, Glenview, IL
Costumes for Vexations for A Flagpole by Lauren Sudbrink — North Pole Exhibitions, Chicago, IL
Costumes for Essay on the Emil Bach House by Corey D. Smith — Chicago, IL

Antecedent — Ignition Projects, Chicago, IL
Antecedent + S.P.Q. — Nasty Brutish & Short Puppet Cabaret, Links Hall, IL
Solid Air — performance with Gwyneth Zeleny Anderson, STNDRD, Granite City, IL
Preliminary — Ignition Projects, Chicago, IL

Ekstasis — Demo Projects, Springfield, IL

Myopia — For The Thundercloud Generation Gallery, Chicago, IL

We Are New to the Mountain — SÍM Gallery, Reykjavík, Iceland
Be Mine — Greenleaf Art Center, Chicago, IL

Organized Light — Art on Armitage, Chicago, IL
Flying House — Frameworks Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
The Art of Human Rights — Heartland Alliance at Palette & Chisel,Chicago, IL
Art One — The Observatory, Chicago, IL
War, Peace and More War — Out of Line Art Gallery, Chicago, IL

Positive Reinforcement — Peanut Gallery, Chicago, IL

Cavernous — Plaines Project, Chicago, IL

Criticorps — Version Festival 10, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago, IL
No-Assumption: Exhibition of art in a Residence — Private Residence, Minneapolis, MN

Abandoned Antarctic Shanty — Art of This, Soap Factory Art Shanty Project, Medicine Lake, MN

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

2012-Current

Roman Susan Art, Founding Executive Director, Chicago, IL
Develops and supports new opportunities to create, display, and experience art
romansusan.org

AWARDS + ARTIST RESIDENCIES

2019
2018
2017
2015
2004

IAS Professional Development Grant — Illinois Arts Council, State of Illinois
Individual Artists Program Grant — Illinois Arts Council, State of Illinois
Individual Artists Program Grant — Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, Chicago, IL
SÍM Residency — Reykjavík, Iceland
Century Council Scenery & Properties Design Award — University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

VISITING ARTIST LECTURES, CRITIQUES, WORKSHOPS

2020

2019
2018

2015

2013-2015

Guest Lecturer — University of Illinois Chicago, School of Art & Art History
Portfolio Review Panelist — School of the Art Institute, Chicago, CAPX Department
FIELD/WORK Proposal Review Panelist — Chicago Artist Coalition
Grant Application Panelist — Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, Chicago, IL
FIELD/WORK Proposal Review Panelist — Chicago Artist Coalition
Visiting Artist — School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL
Panelist, Proposals Class, Deborah Boardman
Lecturer, Sculpture Class, Sarah Berkeley
Teaching Artist — Woman Made Gallery, 20 Neighborhoods, Chicago, IL
Paper-making sessions at Howard Area Community Center

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2017
2012-Current
2015-Current

Lead Painter — Rogers Park Mile of Murals, Thomas Kong’s Be Happy, Chicago, IL
Anette Chicago, Artist Storefront Residency Program, Chicago, IL
Rogers Park Arts Alliance, Chicago, IL

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2005-2008

2001-2005

Professor of Theatre Design — Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
Staff designer, production crew leader and instructor
Theatre Design Scene Shop Supervisor — University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

2016-Current

International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Journeyperson
Studio Mechanics Union Local 476, Chicago, IL

SELECTED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

2019

2018
2017

2016

2015

2014

2013-2015
2015

2009-2011
2007-2009
2001-2011
2008

2007
2006

Set Designer — Work In Progress, SHOWTIME, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Untitled Henry & Rel Science Fiction Feature, NETFLIX, New Orleans, LA
Set Designer — Red Line, Warner Brothers, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams, SONY Pictures, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice, NBC Television, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — A.P.B., FOX Television, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Zoobiquity (Pilot), FOX Television, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Empire, FOX Television, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Beast on the Moon, Raven Theatre, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Sinister 2, Blumhouse Feature Film, Chicago, IL
Set Designer — Women at War, Rivendell Theatre, Chicago, IL
Asst. Set Designer — Lift by Walter Mosley, Crossroads Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ
Charge Scenic Artist — Raven Theatre, Chicago, IL
Art Director — Empire Today, National Carpet TV Commercial, Chicago, IL
Art Director — Beat Up, Music Video, Chicago, IL
Set Design Consultant — New Play Workshops, Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul, MN
Charge Scenic Artist — Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul, MN
Scenic Artist — Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
Charge Scenic Artist — Claude Wampler: (career ender), Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Set Designer — Aunt Dan & Lemon, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Set Designer — The Screen The Thing by Justin Jones, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Set Designer — Tiny Town by Karen Sherman, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Design Studio Intern — Denver Center Theatre, Denver, CO

EDUCATION

2013

2012

2005

1998

Continuing Studies in Rhino and Maya digital platforms, laser cutting and 3D applications
3D Printing & Digital Models — The School of the Art Institute, Chicago,IL
Continuing Studies in écorché sculpture and traditional oil painting techniques
Anatomical Sculpting and Painting — Vitruvian Academy, Chicago,IL
Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology — University of Minnesota,Twin Cities
Production Assistantship as Scenic Charge Artist
Thesis: Techniques for Traditional Victorian Style Backdrop Painting
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences — Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Technical Theatre and Cultural Anthropology