BIO
Kenneth Craig Pruitt (b. 1949, United States) is a contemporary painter working in acrylics and oils. His work often extends beyond the canvas as he explores the history of his subject. Observation includes a thorough examination by delving into inner workings and analyzing how form and concept relate. Pruitt earned an M.F.A. in Painting from The Savannah College of Art and Design, an M.A. in Studio Art from Texas A & M University – Commerce, and a B.A. in art from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His first juried exhibition was in 1969 in the 12th Annual Arkansas Festival of Art. Currently residing in Allen, Texas, Pruitt has participated in multiple group exhibitions at the VALA Gallery in McKinney, Texas, the Wathena Temple Gallery and University Gallery in Commerce, Texas as well as Patty Granville Arts Center, in Garland, Texas. Pruitt teaches critical thinking skills through visual art. He has taught at Grayson College and secondary school students. Pruitt's most recent solo exhibition was at the 517 Gallery in Denison, Texas in the spring of 2023. He is scheduled to exhibit at the Collin College Technology Center in the fall of 2023.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The most recent work is focused It focuses on personal memories and includes visual interpretations related to stories as remembered. The investigation into memory began with the passing of a parent followed by an unimaginable pandemic, and the acquisition of a rare piece of automotive history. As memory is guided by triggers and is not linear as found on a timeline, the work is structured in a random, non-sequential order. The elements that make up his work provides an almost infinite list from which the work is derived. The goal is to preserve memories for future generations. Telling stories of history has become the artist's platform to prepare others for the future.
CV
Kenneth Craig Pruitt is an artist, educator, student, and lifelong learner. He is a contemporary painter working in acrylics and oils. His work often extends beyond the canvas as he explores the history of his subject. Observation includes a thorough examination by delving into inner workings and analyzing how form and concept relate.
Education
2023 M.F.A. Painting, Savanah College of Art and Design
2019 M.A. Studio Art, Texas A&M University, Commerce
1973 B.A. Art (major/minor), University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Exhibitions
2023 Summertime Nostalgia, VALA Gallery, McKinney Texas
Remembrance Solo Exhibition, 517 Gallery, Denison, Texas
Glorious Greens
VALA Gallery, McKinney Texas
2022-23 The Year in Art, VALA Gallery, McKinney Texas
2018 Side Effects, University Gallery, Texas A&M University Commerce, Texas
Process to Progress, Wathena Temple Gallery, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas
Work in Process, Wathena Temple Gallery, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas
Party of Nine, Online / Wathena Temple Gallery, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas
2017 Faculty Art Show, The Granville Art Center, Garland, Texas
Arbiters of Taste, University Gallery, Texas A&M University Commerce, Texas
2016 Faculty Art Show, The Granville Art Center, Garland, Texas
2015 Annual Faculty Art Show, The Granville Art Center, Garland, Texas
2014 Annual Faculty Art Show, The Granville Art Center, Garland, Texas
Curatorial
2013 International Festival of Arts, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, Texas
Artist Talk
2023 Remembrance
2018 Final Presentation of the Dossier, A Work in Progress
Topic: Out of the Darkness; Proof
Workshop Presenter
2015 Annual Texas Art Education Fall Conference
Topic: Mosaics Made Easy
Research
2022-23 Thesis, "Remembrance" investigates the relationship of memory, forgetting, and remembering
2019 Misguided Perception
Investigates the relationship between discouragement in cognitive development and lack of artistic creativity.
A Journey Through Time
Focus on art and artists derived from descendants of the African Diaspora.
Association Memberships
Texas Art Education Association
Additional Experience
Adjunct Professor
Co-teacher College intern with two different professors.
Secondary School Art Educator 12 years
Major Automobile Manufacturer 31 years
Military Air National Guard 10 years