BIO

 

BORN                Charlotte, NC           1971         

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   Described as a painter’s painter, artist Caroline Rust creates intriguing surface assemblages with deconstructed textiles enriched through the use of expressionistic paint application. In a synthesis of emotion and intellect, her works of art use garments as a foundation, in metaphor to contemplate the human condition, reflect qualities of the feminine, and explore identity. 

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   Rust earned an M.F.A. in painting from Winthrop in 1997 and a B.F.A. in painting from East Carolina University in 1993. Her award-winning works of art are procured by private and corporate collectors and featured annually in juried group and one-person exhibitions. In 2020, the painting “Billie Holliday’s Veil” was published in a Belgian educational book, Curieus 6. This piece was awarded ‘Best of Show’ during the 2016 exhibit IN-VISIABLE in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2018 Rust co-curated and displayed work in a 3-woman exhibit a entitled REFLECTING HER STORY, for which the project received a grant from the SC Arts Commission. Subsequently, it was on view at Radford University Art Museum – Radford, VA and again in 2019 at the Center for the Arts – Rock Hill, SC. Rust’s work was selected for display in 2017, and again for 2021, through Charlotte’s public art program, ArtPop Street Gallery. It was while Rust was an artist-in-residence at McColl Center for Art + Innovation in 2015 that she began using garments as low-relief grounds for paintings. She also has taught art and design workshops to the public at the center.

 

   Rust has been an adjunct professor of art and design at UNC-Charlotte and Winthrop University. She has professional experiences in administration, project management, planning, gallery work, data management, development, and marketing in academia and commerce. Passionately committed to art and community, Rust currently serves the board of the Women’s Art Initiative in Rock Hill, SC as vice president. She is the art selection committee chair and project manager for non-profit's commissions, including the current collaboration with Rock Hill Economic Development Corp. Rust has been a member of the National Association of Women Artists of New York, NY since 2010. 

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   Selected exhibit locations include: Grand Central Library – New York, NY, Point Park University – Pittsburgh, PA, “The SC State Biennial” – Columbia, SC, UNC-Charlotte – Charlotte, NC, East Carolina University– Greenville, NC, Goggle Works Art Center – Reading, PA, Spirit Square Gallery – Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College – Charlotte, NC, and Artemisia Gallery – Chicago, IL.

 

   

C.V.

  

MAJOR EXHIBITIONS   *SOLO

2023                  

Trifecta, works by Martha Armstrong, Carla Aaron-Lopez, James Erickson, Stacie Monday, Leon Parker, and CarolineRust, Elder Gallery, Charlotte, NC

2022

Human Connections by Caroline Rust and Catherine Baumhauer, Upstairs Artspace, Tryon, NC

2019                   

Reflecting Her Story, works by Carey, Rust, Zaib, The Dalton Gallery, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC  

2018                  

Reflecting Her Story, works by Carey, Rust, Zaib, The Art Museum at Covington Center, Radford University, Radford, VA 

The Fine Art of ArtPop, works by Janie Ball, Barbara Ellis, Nick Napoletano, Caroline Rust, Elder Gallery, Charlotte, NC 

2014 

*Standing in the Silent Pool, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

2013                   

*The Tints That Glow, The Dalton Gallery, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

2012                   

*The Tints That Glow, Cohen Gallery, GoggleWorks Art Center, Reading, PA

2009                 

*Beneath the Surface, The Ross Gallery, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

*In Between Moods, Christa Faut Gallery, Cornelius, NC

2006                 

*Beneath the Surface, Spirit Square, Charlotte, NC

*Beneath the Surface; Small Works, Rutledge Windows with a View, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

2001                   

"Caroline Rust in Philos", Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury, NC

2000                 

*An Installation of Paintings & Objects, Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, IL  

1998-99               

*A Room of One’s Own, LIGHTHEALING Arts Center, Rock Hill, SC        

*A Room of One's Own, Blue Pony Gallery, Charlotte, NC

1997                    

Inwardly Powerful, Winthrop University Galleries, Rock Hill, SC

1996                   

*Recent Works by Caroline Rust, Gallery at City Hall, Rock Hill, SC

1994                   

*Recent Works by Caroline Rust, Ursa Major Gallery, Charlotte, NC

 

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023

2nd Annaul Benefit Exhibition & Auction, McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC

Members Exhibition, Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

2022

Small Works, National Association of Women Artists On-line Gallery, NY, NY

Feminist Insight: Telling Her Story, Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, Fayetteville, NC

1st Annaul Benefit Exhibition & Auction, McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC

2021 

School of Art and Design Alumni Exhibition, Gray Gallery, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Members Exhibition, Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

11th Annual International Juried Exhibition, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA

2020 

31st Annual Juried Competition, Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

Persistence ll, d'Art Center, Norfolk VA

Small Works, National Association of Women Artists Gallery, NY, NY

2019

Members Exhibition, McColl Center for Art+Innovcation, Charlotte, NC

Small Works on the Mezzanine, Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, Charlotte, NC

130th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, One Art Space, NY, NY

Visual Biography: Women's Narrative, Grand Central Library, NYPL, NY, NY 

2018                

129th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, 195 Chrystie Street Gallery, NY, NY

Alleys as Gallerys; Outdoor Art Project, Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

Small Works Exhibition, Gallery 27, Lincolnton, NC

2017                

Art & Aperitif Exhibition of 2017 ArtPop Artists, Le Meridien, Charlotte, NC

5th Annual ArtFields Exhibition, Lake City, SC

Studio Party 2017 Exhibition, McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC

2016                 

Art Party 2016; Gallery 5, Rock Hill, SC

The Strong Among Us, Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College, Dallas, NC

127th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

Winthrop MFA Alumni, Hart Witzen Gallery, Charlotte, NC

In-VISIBLE, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA

2015               

126th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

School of Art and Design Alumni Exhibition, Gray Gallery, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

McColl Center Summer Artists in Residence 2015, McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC

2014               

125th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

24th Annual Juried Exhibition; Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

2013            

South Carolina Biennial, 701 Center for Contemporary Art, Columbia, SC

124th Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

Clothing Optional, NAWA Gallery, New York, NY

The Women of NAWA Exposed, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA

National Fiber Directions 2013, The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS

Ev(e)olution III, Riverside Public Library, New York, NY

2012                 

123rd Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

From A Different Point of View, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA

TRAVELING SOLES, Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College, Dallas, NC

Small Works Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, NAWA Gallery, New York, NY

2011            

Vernissage des Femmes Artistes, during Art Basel; Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL

Art Frenzy, Arts Council of York County, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, SC

School of Art and Design Alumni Exhibition, Grey Gallery, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

122nd Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, Sylvia Wald/Po Kim Gallery, NY, NY

National Fiber Directions 2011, The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS

Ev(e)olution, Riverside Public Library, New York, NY

2010                 

New Members Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, NAWA Gallery, New York, NY

From Our Perspectives, Oakland Community College, Womencenter, Farmington Hills, MI
Future Perfect Auction Exhibition, Loading Dock Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

21st Annual Exhibition; National Association of Women Artists, National Arts Club, New York, NY

2007-08              

721 Morrison Arts Initiative, Grubb Properties, Charlotte, NC

2003                   

Space Revisions: New Works in a New Space, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, SC

1999, 98 & 97        

Faculty Exhibition, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

1998                     

Faculty Exhibition, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Recent Works by Gallery Artists Invitational, Blue Pony Gallery, Charlotte, NC

1996                     

Selected Regional Artists, Hampton House, Rock Hill, SC

1995                     

Recent Works by Gallery Artists Invitational, Blue Pony Gallery, Charlotte, NC

Selected Regional Artists, Museum of York County, Rock Hill, SC

Works in Progress, Watkins Gallery at Queens College, Charlotte, NC

1994                     

Works by Gallery Artists, Tyndal Gallery, Durham, NC      

Works by Gallery Artists, Touchstone Gallery, Hendersonville, NC

 

 

SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS

2021   

Silent Streets: Art in the Time of Pandemic, Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC · Juried Story Contributor

ArtPop Street Gallery, Charlotte, NC · 2021 Artist, www.artpopstreetgallery.com

2017                      

ArtPop Street Gallery, Charlotte, NC · 2017 Artist

2016                   

In-VISIBLE, Point Park Uni, Pittsburgh, PA · Best of Show; John Carson, Carnegie Mellon School of Art  Head

2015                            

McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC · Summer Affiliate Artist in Residence

2012                      

A Different Point of View, Point Park Uni, Pittsburgh, PA · Best of Show; Eric Shiner, Andy Warhol Museum Director

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Van In Publisher; Curieus 6, 2020, secondary educational book, by various authors, Flanders, Belgium

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GRANTS

2018                     

Arts Council of York County and the SC Arts Commission, Rock Hill, SC · Artist Grant Recipient

2012                      

Arts Council of York County and the SC Arts Commission, Rock Hill, SC · Artist Grant Recipient

2010                      

Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, NC · Regional Artists Grant Recipient

1998                      

Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, NC · Regional Artists Grant Recipient

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SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND PERFORMANCES

2023                    

Interdisciplinary Studies Movement Conference, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC · Presenter – Our Bodies’ Movement in Poetry and Painting

2019 

Creativity and Conversation, Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, Charlotte, NC · Presenter

2018                  

The Fine Art of ArtPop Street Gallery, Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, Charlotte, NC · Artist Panel Member

2015                  

Approaching the Dressing Table, Pecha Kucha Charlotte Volume 14 · Collaborative Presenter        

2013                      

EV(e)OLUTION III, Riverside Public Library, New York, NY · Artist Panel Member

2009                  

Femme Fest, Charlotte, NC · Featured Artist

BENEATH THE SURFACE, the presentation, Pecha Kucha Charlotte Volume 3 · Presenter

2008                 

Words of Art/Acts of Art, Rock Hill, SC · Featured Artist

2006                     

THE BODY CHRONICLES, Charlotte, NC · Installation Artist; Beneath the Surface

Winthrop University Galleries, Rock Hill, SC · Guest Lecturer; Beneath the Surface

2005                     

LIGHTHEALING Art Center, Rock Hill, SC · Guest Lecturer; “Art from an Inner Place”

2003                     

The Lysistrata Project, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC · Actor

 

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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

2010-present        

National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY · Member

2005-2007        

Society for Design Administration & CANstruction (AIA affiliate), Charlotte, NC · Member

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COMMUNITY AND BOARD SERVICE

2023

Arts Council of York County, Rock Hill, SC · Juror "Teachers' Choice Art Exhibition & Competition" 

2020                     

ArtPop Street Gallery, Atlanta, GA · Juror

2018-present           

Women's Art Initiative, Rock Hill, SC · Art Selection Committee Chair & Public Art Commissions' Project Manager 

2018      

ArtPop Street Gallery, Charlotte, NC · Member of Board of Directors & Development Lead    

2016-present           

Women's Art Initiative, Rock Hill, SC · Member

2014-present                     

Arts Council of York County, Rock Hill, SC · Volunteer, Advocate, Member

Annual Photography Exhibition, Mooresville Artist Guild, Mooresville, NC · Juror

2011                      

Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, NC · Regional Artists Grant Panel Member

2007                  

Pendland School of Crafts Annual Benefit Auction, Pendland, NC · Volunteer Art Handler

2007, 08, 09, 11      

Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, NC · Annual Fund Drive Coordinator, Volunteer

2006-2007            

CANstruction (AIA affiliate), Charlotte, NC · Committee Member

2005                   

THE BODY CHRONICLES, Charlotte, NC · Art Auction Coordinator (benefiting Girls on the Run)

2004-2005            

York County Chamber of Commerce Leadership York County Planning Council · Member, Graduate

2002-2005            

Come See Me Spring Festival, Rock Hill, SC · Planning Council Cultural Events Team Leader

1999                       

Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte, NC · Judge; “Bravo Student Art Competition

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COLLECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS

Alcohol Beverage Control Board of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC; Danielle Island Medical Center, Charleston, SC; Numerous Private Residential Collections throughout the United States (GA, KY, NC, NY, SC, WV, VA), the United Kingdom, France, Germany; Well Fargo Corporate, Charlotte, NC; Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

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GALLERY REPRESENTATION

2018-Present

Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, Charlotte, NC

2009-2012       

Gallery UP, Rock Hill, SC                   

2007-2012   

Christa Faut Gallery, Cornelius, NC

1997-2000             

The Blue Pony, Charlotte, NC            

1993-1994           

Touchstone Gallery, Hendersonville, NC

Tyndal Gallery, Durham, NC

 

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EDUCATION

1997              

Master of Fine Arts Degree, Concentration: Painting, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

1993              

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Concentration: Painting, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

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TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

2022-Present                

College of Visual and Performing Arts Assistant to the Dean & Administrative Coordinator, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

2016-2022

University Events Project Manger (Executive & Campus), Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

2018

Marketing, & Design Consultant, EnSpire Marketing, Charlotte, NC

2015, 2019, 2020

Art & Design Workshop Instructor, McColl Center for Art+Innovation, Charlotte, NC

2014-2016        

Donor Relations Coordinator, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

2013                     

Adjunct Faculty of Fine Arts, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

2007-2014       

Construction Administrator, Clark Nexsen Architecture and Engineering, Charlotte, NC

2005-2007     

Office Manager, Tobin Dudley Architecture and Planning, Charlotte, NC

2002-2005    

Director of Community Arts, Engagement, Communications, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

1998-2002         

Assistant Manager, Design Consultant, Visual Coordinator, Pope's Gallery, Charlotte, NC

1997-2000             

Adjunct Professor of Art & Design, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

Adjunct Professor of Art, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

1997                      

Accounts Assistant and Floater, Sotheby's, New York, NY

1994-1997               

Galleries Assistant and Permanent Collection Manager, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC             

Teaching Assistant-Drawing & Museum Studies, Instructor-Advanced Placement Art Workshops, Co-Chair-Art Acquisitions Committee, Member-Exhibition Committee & Space Utilization Committee, Graduate Representative to the Faculty Board-Department of Art & Design, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

1993-1994            

Conservation Picture Framer & Gallery Assistant, Picture Perfect Gallery and Frame Shop, Charlotte, NC  

1991-1993              

Conservation Picture Framer & Gallery Assistant, UBE Gallery and Frame Shop, Greenville, NC