Kristen O’Neill grew up in the mountains outside of Santa Cruz, CA, and then graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In Chicago she worked for the Department of Exhibitions and Events for the school, giving her the first look at the work it takes to run galleries.Â
After moving to Southern Oregon in 2015, she immediately dove into being part of the artistic community. Kristen worked at the Grants Pass Museum of Art from 2016 to 2022. There, she co-chaired the Open Studios committee, helped create the 5th Grade Field Trips Program, helped organize and led dozens of art classes for both adults and children. She installed numerous exhibitions and worked on many fundraisers. Kristen is also the Treasurer of the Josephine County Cultural Coalition, and she has worked with artists from a local scale to international, working with them to develop their skills and their businesses.
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Kristen believes art can help people and communities find common ground, believe in themselves, and that art is a necessary part of culture.Â
Information provided by Rogue Gallery.