Alec Dejesus
Born in Illinois, artist Alec DeJesus, turned to art as a means of escaping a rough upbringing. Focusing on enveloping a very real message of “strength and pride through perseverance” in his vibrant paintings, he has taken that message to various places around the country by creating large scale murals, lecturing at schools and curating and showing in galleries locally and nationally.
CV
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Figurative and abstract painting/drawing, large scale murals, spray and finishing/re-finishing, curating, gallery installation, framing.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE
Associate of Fine Arts, 2009-2012
ART RESIDENCIES
PRAIRIE CENTER OF THE ARTS, 2011-2012
PEORIA ART GUILD, 2009
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Commissioned to design large-scale murals for colleges and small businesses
- Lead the design, development and execution of various custom mural projects
- Managed a team of artists to complete designs on strict timeline
- Developed bodies of work to exhibit in various galleries throughout the country
- Attracted a network of private collectors and created dozens of custom commissions
- Administrator of two art collectives focused on promoting local artists
Freelance Muralist/ Fine Artist
Self-Employed | 2016-present
- Commissioned to design large-scale murals for colleges and small businesses
- Lead the design, development and execution of various custom mural projects
- Managed a team of artists to complete designs on strict timeline
- Developed bodies of work to exhibit in various galleries throughout the country
- Attracted a network of private collectors and created dozens of custom commissions
- Administrator of two art collectives focused on promoting local artists
Gallery/Studio Manager
Illinois Central College | 2010-2012
- Curated shows and set up gallery exhibits
- Coordinated artists for showing and private viewings
- Mentored student artists on painting and photography projects
EXHIBITIONS
- Untitled Guest Artist Showcase, Untitled Collective, Dallas TX, 2019
- Studio 212 Art Auction, Gilley's, Dallas, TX, 2019
- VIP Preview Exhibit, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Effeminate Nature, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Poetic Inspirations, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Existing Anew, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Winter Flight, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- For the Love of Kettle, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- For the Love of Artists, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Infusion, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Fuck Your Art Degree, Shipping and Receiving Gallery, Fort Worth, TX, 2019
- Family Reunion, an Art Tooth Exhibit, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX, 2019
- Ear In The Envelope solo exhibit, Peoria, IL 2016+ 2018
- Unseen Voices, First United Methodist Church, Peoria,IL, 2015
- Prairie Center Of The Arts Allum Show, Peoria, IL- 2014,2015,2017
- CIAO Museum Exhibit at the Smithsonian affiliated Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL- 2012
- Group show Curated by Alec DeJesus, Kickapoo, IL-2010
- 8x10 Exhibit, Picture This, Peoria Heights, IL-2010
- C.I. Creative Group Show, C.I.Creative, Peoria, IL-2009
CV
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Figurative and abstract painting/drawing, large scale murals, spray and finishing/re-finishing, curating, gallery installation, framing.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE
Associate of Fine Arts, 2009-2012
ART RESIDENCIES
PRAIRIE CENTER OF THE ARTS, 2011-2012
PEORIA ART GUILD, 2009
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Commissioned to design large-scale murals for colleges and small businesses
- Lead the design, development and execution of various custom mural projects
- Managed a team of artists to complete designs on strict timeline
- Developed bodies of work to exhibit in various galleries throughout the country
- Attracted a network of private collectors and created dozens of custom commissions
- Administrator of two art collectives focused on promoting local artists
Freelance Muralist/ Fine Artist
Self-Employed | 2016-present
- Commissioned to design large-scale murals for colleges and small businesses
- Lead the design, development and execution of various custom mural projects
- Managed a team of artists to complete designs on strict timeline
- Developed bodies of work to exhibit in various galleries throughout the country
- Attracted a network of private collectors and created dozens of custom commissions
- Administrator of two art collectives focused on promoting local artists
Gallery/Studio Manager
Illinois Central College | 2010-2012
- Curated shows and set up gallery exhibits
- Coordinated artists for showing and private viewings
- Mentored student artists on painting and photography projects
EXHIBITIONS
- Untitled Guest Artist Showcase, Untitled Collective, Dallas TX, 2019
- Studio 212 Art Auction, Gilley's, Dallas, TX, 2019
- VIP Preview Exhibit, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Effeminate Nature, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Poetic Inspirations, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Existing Anew, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- Winter Flight, Deep Ellum Art Co., Dallas, TX, 2019
- For the Love of Kettle, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- For the Love of Artists, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Infusion, Kettle Art Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2019
- Fuck Your Art Degree, Shipping and Receiving Gallery, Fort Worth, TX, 2019
- Family Reunion, an Art Tooth Exhibit, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX, 2019
- Ear In The Envelope solo exhibit, Peoria, IL 2016+ 2018
- Unseen Voices, First United Methodist Church, Peoria,IL, 2015
- Prairie Center Of The Arts Allum Show, Peoria, IL- 2014,2015,2017
- CIAO Museum Exhibit at the Smithsonian affiliated Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL- 2012
- Group show Curated by Alec DeJesus, Kickapoo, IL-2010
- 8x10 Exhibit, Picture This, Peoria Heights, IL-2010
- C.I. Creative Group Show, C.I.Creative, Peoria, IL-2009
