About

Ceirra Evans is a Louisville-based painter depicting Appalachia and the working-class southern narrative. Ceirra’s work has been reviewed by Hyperallergic, The New Yorker and other publications. Her work is exhibited in 21c Louisville and is held in multiple private collections.

Born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Evans’ body of work depicts scenes directly from her early life in the foothills of the Appalachian region. Her work depicts stories of generational poverty, queerness, familial relationships and addiction. Ceirra’s work uses humor and illustration to sift through the discourse critiquing the region.

Photography by Steve Squall 2022

C.V.

 

Professional Experience 
2023 Steering Committee for The Small Town America Institute for Rural Arts & Culture, Mt.Sterling, KY
2022-2023 Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange Program Cohort, Louisville, KY
2021 Curatorial Internship with a focus in Acquisitions, Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY
2020- Current Founder and Director of Folx Gallery, Louisville, KY
2018-2022 Gallery Attendant at the Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY
Education
2021 BA Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies: Art and History, Spalding University, Louisville, KY
Exhibitions
2022 KMAC Triennial "Divided We Fall", Louisville, KY
2022 “Its Okay to Go Home”, Moremen Gallery, Louisville, KY
2021 “Still Life! “Mourning, Meaning and Mending”, 21c Museum, Louisville, KY
2021 "Folklore", Moremen Gallery, Louisville, KY
2021 “THEM” Group Virtual Exhibition, Spongleheim Gallery, London, UK
2021 “Infinity” Group Virtual Exhibition, The Holy Art Gallery, London, UK
2021 “Artsy Mood” Group Exhibition, Boomer Gallery, London, UK
2020 Juried Exhibition, Appalachian Artisan Center, Hindman, KY
  -Juried by Artist Charles Boggs http://www.charlesparkerboggs.com/ 
Collections
21C Collection
Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Collection
Garth Greenwell Collection
Los Angeles, Private Collection
Awards
2023 Great Meadows Foundation, Professional Development Grant (Scotland)
2023 Louisville Visual Art- Emerging Artist Award
2022 Firestarter Award- Kentucky Foundation for Women
2021 Great Meadows Foundation Grant 
Publications
November 2022, Catte, Elizabeth. "The Power of Place", KMAC Divided We Fall Exhibition catalogue

July 2022, Wilcox, Cletus. "Great Meadows Foundation uplifts Queer artists alongside Queer Kentucky: Ceirra Evans" QueerKY

Great Meadows Foundation uplifts Queer artists alongside Queer Kentucky: Ceirra Evans


February 2022 Greenwell, Garth. "Ceirra Evans Paints A Complex Portrait Of Appalachia" The New Yorker 
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/ceirra-evans-paints-a-complex-portrait-of-appalachia
 
February 2022 Weis, Natalie. “An Artist Goes Home to Her Appalachia”.   Hyperallergic 

An Artist Goes Home to Her Appalachia


Interviews
2023 Keith Waits “ LVA Honoree Ceirra Evans talks about her work and emerging career as an artist.”  2023 LVA Honoree Ceirra Evans talks about her work and emerging career as an artist.
2022 Gierhart, Ben. "Q&A: Ceirra Evans." Ruckus 
2022 Keith Waits “Artist Talk with LVA: Painter Ceirra Evans exhibiting at Moremen Gallery” Artists Talk with LVA: Painter Cierra Evans exhibiting at Moremen Gallery.
Speaking
2022 IKT International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art
2022 Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts Sessions 1&2
Residencies 
2023 3 Week artist residency at Loretto Motherhouse, Marion Co, KY