Karen Ives holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has taught design and wood sculpture at UNC Asheville and the University of Wisconsin, and has been making art for many years while raising a family with her husband in Asheville, NC.
Ives builds sculptures from wood, steel, and, most recently, ferrocement. She draws inspiration from the subtleties of nature as well as moments of awkwardness found in everyday life. Her process is highly intuitive, often beginning with sketches or fragments of ideas that evolve into abstract three-dimensional forms. These forms are typically layered with bright, patterned paint.
Ives enjoys creating artwork for commissions, site-specific installations, and upcoming gallery exhibitions.
Resume
Education
- 2000
- Master of Fine Arts
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI - 1994
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC
Professional Experience
- 2001–present
- Professional Artist
Asheville, NC - 2000–2010
- Adjunct Professor
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC - Summer 2001
- Visiting Instructor
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI - 1996–2002
- Children’s Art Camp Instructor
Maple Meadows Art Camp
Chapel Hill, NC
Solo and Group Exhibitions
- 2026
- “Abstract In Asheville”, UpMarket Gallery, Asheville, NC
- 2026
- 9th Annual Beaverdam Studio Tour, Asheville, NC
- 2026
- 38th Annual Sculpture in the Garden, UNC Botanical Gardens,
Chapel Hill, NC - 2024
- 36th Annual Sculpture in the Garden, UNC Botanical Gardens,
Chapel Hill, NC - 2022
- 34th Annual Sculpture in the Garden, UNC Botanical Gardens,
Chapel Hill, NC - 2019
- “Who’s Afraid of Red?”, Asheville Arts Council, Asheville, NC
- 2015
- Paper Boat and Bird Art, Stockton, NJ
- 2014
- Louise Gilbert Art Gallery, Mitchell Community College, Statesville, NC
- 2013
- Upstairs Art Space, Mountain Sculptors Show, Tryon, NC
- 2013
- Brevard Lumberyard Gallery, Brevard, NC
- 2012
- Campus Gate Gallery, Young Harris College, Young Harris, GA
- 2012
- Pack Place Gallery, Mountain Sculptors Show, Asheville, NC
- 2011
- Hillsborough Public Art Tour, Hillsborough, NC
- 2010
- Public Art 360, Crest Center, Asheville, NC
- 2010
- UNCA Faculty Show, Black Mountain Center for the Arts
- 2009-2010
- Greenhill Center for the Arts, Greensboro, NC
- 2009
- Rosen Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, Boone, NC
- 2008
- “Blind Date,” Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville, NC
- 2007
- “Parts and Portions,” Upstairs Art Space, Tryon, NC
- 2006-2007
- “Sculpture Visions,” CHPAC, Chapel Hill, NC
- 2006-2007
- River Sculpture Festival, Asheville, NC
- 2006
- Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, Hendersonville, NC
- 2005
- Upstairs Gallery, Tryon, NC
- 2004
- Stretch Gallery, Charlotte, NC
- 2003
- ACC Spotlight Show, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC
- 2003
- “Turned Multiples,” Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA
- 2003
- “Turned Multiples,” Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO
- 2002-2003
- Fine and Functional Arts and Crafts, Artspace, Raleigh, NC
- 2002
- “Patterns,” Black Mountain Center for the Arts. Black Mountain, NC
- 2001
- “Recent Work,” Food: The Art Gallery, Asheville, NC
- 2000
- Fall/Winter 2000/2001 Exhibition, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, New Jersey
Art Awards and Publications
- 2007-2008
- Regional Artist Project Grant, Asheville, NC. Asheville Area Arts Council, Avery County Arts Council, Madison County Arts Council, North Carolina Arts Council.
- 2006
- Winkler Scholarship Award, River Sculpture Festival, Asheville, NC
- 2005
- Western Carolina Woman, Featured Artist, October 2005
- 2002
- American Craft magazine, Portfolio, August/September 2002
- 2001-2002
- Regional Artist Project Grant, Asheville, NC. Asheville Area Arts Council, Avery County Arts Council, Madison County Arts Council, North Carolina Arts Council.
- 2001
- Woodwork magazine, December 2001
- 2000
- Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award, International Sculpture Center.
- 2000
- Sculpture magazine, October 2000.