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Ava Anthea Shively

Painting, Printmaking, Illustration

About Me.

I am an oil painter and illustrator. Using vibrant color palettes, improvised decision making, and themes grounded in community, fantasy, and childlike wonder, I seek to convey a sense of joy and energy. I completed my undergraduate at Luther College in 2024 with degrees in Fine Art and German. Since then, I have lived in Decorah, IA and Minneapolis, MN: working as a farmhand, framer, and substitute teacher. I spent January of 2025 as a resident artist at the Grünewald Guild, and have solo shows coming up this year at the Decorah Arthaus; The Root Note in La Crosse, WI; and the Minneapolis Bouldering Project, amongst others. When not painting or teaching, I can be found playing music theatre on my keyboard, curled up with a book and treats, or cooking dinner with my five housemates. 

Resume

Education 

2020 - 2024

Bachelors of Fine Arts, Luther College, Decorah, IA

Awards 

2024

Decorah Arthaus, The Emerging Artist Award, Decorah, IA

2025

The Grünewald Guild, Artist in Residence, Leavenworth, WA

Exhibitions 

Solo

2025

Decorah ArtHaus, Fluorescent Pink, Golden Light, 2024 Emerging Artist, Decorah, IA

2025

Dick Blick, local artist spotlight, Minneapolis, MN

2025

The Root Note, local artist exhibition, La Crosse, WI (upcoming)

2025

Minneapolis Bouldering Project, community arts program, Minneapolis, MN (upcoming)

2024

Luther College, Seeking The Golden Glow, Senior Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2024

Farmer’s Market, Original paintings and fine art prints, Decorah, IA

Group

2024

Decorah Arthaus, Emerging Artist Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2024

Ghost Ship Gallery, Grayscale, Washburn, WI

2024

Luther College, Senior Class Exhibition, Decorah IA

2024

 Luther College, Ultra Mega Mega, Decorah, IA

2023

Decorah Arthaus, Emerging Artist Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2023

Luther College, 300 Level Painting Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2023

Luther College, Midterm Senior Project Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2023

Luther College, Ultra Mega Mega, Decorah, IA

2022

Luther College, Ultra Mega Mega, Decorah, IA

2021

Decorah Arthaus, Emerging Artist Exhibition, Decorah, IA

2021

Luther College, Ultra Mega Mega, Decorah, IA

Publications

2024

 University of Iowa Press, 23 Woodcock in 22 Years, Cover artist, Iowa City, IA

2024

Luther College, The Oneota Review, Select artist, Decorah, IA

2023

Luther College, The Oneota Review, Cover artist and select artist, Decorah, IA

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