Joey Veltkamp (born 1972 in Helena, Montana) is a queer artist who uses bright and colorful imagery to comfort the viewer. By elevating every day common items, such a list of summer berries or a plastic bucket of flowers, he reminds us to celebrate life and look for joy in unexpected places.
His inaugural solo museum exhibition, SPIRIT!, opened at Bellevue Arts Museum in 2022. Joey’s work has been collected by Seattle Art Museum, Microsoft, Meta, Starbucks, King County Portable Works, and others. He received an Artist Trust GAP Grant in 2019, and is a previous Neddy Award Finalist (2010, 2014). His "soft paintings" have been shown at Tacoma Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Bellevue Arts Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Joey has lived in the Puget Sound region since 1996. He has five cats and one husband. He is represented by Greg Kucera Gallery.
Writings about the art of Joey Veltkamp can be found here.
You can send him an email here.
His inaugural solo museum exhibition, SPIRIT!, opened at Bellevue Arts Museum in 2022. Joey’s work has been collected by Seattle Art Museum, Microsoft, Meta, Starbucks, King County Portable Works, and others. He received an Artist Trust GAP Grant in 2019, and is a previous Neddy Award Finalist (2010, 2014). His "soft paintings" have been shown at Tacoma Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Bellevue Arts Museum, Seattle Art Museum, and San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Joey has lived in the Puget Sound region since 1996. He has five cats and one husband. He is represented by Greg Kucera Gallery.
Writings about the art of Joey Veltkamp can be found here.
You can send him an email here.
SELECT SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Monte Vista Projects, "tell your heart that i'm the one", Los Angeles, California
Greg Kucera Gallery, "Tell your cat I said, PsPsPs.", Seattle, Washington
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Case Study: Joey Veltkamp, Houston, Texas
2022
Bellevue Arts Museum, SPIRIT!, Bellevue, Washington
2021
Greg Kucera Gallery, Lumberton, Wash., Seattle, Washington
2018
Greg Kucera Gallery, "Blue Skies Forever", Seattle, Washington
Outer Space, "Salt of the Earth / Light of the World", Seattle, Washington
2017
Vignettes, <heartbreak simulation>, Seattle, Washington
Calypte Gallery, Pantry (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
2015
Calypte Gallery, Picnic, Seattle, Washington
2014
Joe Bar Gallery, Queens, curated by Ben Beres, Seattle, Washington
ArtsWest, This is not a protest. It's a celebration!, curated by Susanna Bluhm, Seattle, Washington
2013
Portland Center Stage, In the Fold, curated by Elizabeth Spavento, Portland, Oregon
2012
NEPO House, The Rainbow Connection, curated by Klara Glosova, Seattle, Washington
Cupcake Royale, The Blanket Show, Seattle, Washington
2011
SOIL, the ghosts of Joey Veltkamp, Seattle, Washington
LxWxH(xNW) with Susanna Bluhm, curated by Sharon Arnold, Seattle, Washington
2010
The Living Room, It is Happening Again, curated by Amanda Manitach, Seattle, Washington
Monte Vista Projects, "tell your heart that i'm the one", Los Angeles, California
Greg Kucera Gallery, "Tell your cat I said, PsPsPs.", Seattle, Washington
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Case Study: Joey Veltkamp, Houston, Texas
2022
Bellevue Arts Museum, SPIRIT!, Bellevue, Washington
2021
Greg Kucera Gallery, Lumberton, Wash., Seattle, Washington
2018
Greg Kucera Gallery, "Blue Skies Forever", Seattle, Washington
Outer Space, "Salt of the Earth / Light of the World", Seattle, Washington
2017
Vignettes, <heartbreak simulation>, Seattle, Washington
Calypte Gallery, Pantry (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
2015
Calypte Gallery, Picnic, Seattle, Washington
2014
Joe Bar Gallery, Queens, curated by Ben Beres, Seattle, Washington
ArtsWest, This is not a protest. It's a celebration!, curated by Susanna Bluhm, Seattle, Washington
2013
Portland Center Stage, In the Fold, curated by Elizabeth Spavento, Portland, Oregon
2012
NEPO House, The Rainbow Connection, curated by Klara Glosova, Seattle, Washington
Cupcake Royale, The Blanket Show, Seattle, Washington
2011
SOIL, the ghosts of Joey Veltkamp, Seattle, Washington
LxWxH(xNW) with Susanna Bluhm, curated by Sharon Arnold, Seattle, Washington
2010
The Living Room, It is Happening Again, curated by Amanda Manitach, Seattle, Washington
SELECTION GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
MEPAINTSME, Rainbow High, Web-only
2023
Tacoma Art Museum, Soft Power, Tacoma, Washington
Greg Kucera Gallery, Something Old, Something New, Seattle, Washington
Greg Kucera Gallery, The Truth Is..., Seattle, Washington
2022
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Indie Folk: New Art & Sounds from the Pacific Northwest, curated by Melissa Feldman, Pullman, Washington
[Also traveling to Schneider Museum of Art (Ashland, OR), Hallie Ford Museum of Art (Salem, OR), Bellevue Arts Museum (Bellevue, WA),
and Museum of Craft & Design (San Francisco, CA)]
2022
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Common Threads, Bainbridge Island, Washington
2021
J. Rinehart Gallery, Off the Wall, Seattle, Washington
2021
Museum of Museums, The Supperfield Museum of Contemporary Art, curated by Jennifer McNeely, Seattle, Washington
2020
Adams & Ollman, Indie Folk: New Art from the Pacific Northwest, curated by Mellissa Feldman, Portland, Oregon
2019
Joe Bar, Joe Bar One Hundred, curated by Ben Beres, Seattle, Washington
2018
Bellevue Arts Museum, Featured Objects, Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellwether 2018, curated by SuttonBeresCuller, Bellevue Arts Museum
The Factory, KIDS/NO KIDS, Seattle, Washington
2017
Schoenfeld's Building, Out of Sight, produced by Greg Lundgren, Seattle, Washington
Virago Gallery, Our Daily Armor III, Seattle, Washington
2016
Bridge Productions, Many Lands, curated by Ben Gannon, Seattle, Washington
V2, American Painting Today, curated by Matthew Offenbacher, Seattle, Washington
Tacoma Art Museum, NW Art Now, curated by Juan Roselione-Valadez & Rock Hushka, Tacoma, Washington
The Alice, cover reveals, curated by Julia Freeman, Seattle, Washington
2015
Seattle Art Museum, Rebel Rebel, curated by Catharina Manchanda, Seattle, Washington
The Satellite Show, Tiger Strikes Asteroid presents Artist-Run (The Alice), Miami, Florida
Hedreen Gallery, Good Neighbor, curated by Amanda Donnan, Seattle, Washington
King Street Station, Out of Sight, Seattle, Washington
2014
Cornish Main Gallery, Neddy at Cornish Exhibition, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House 5K, Rainbow Power Spirit Gate (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
2013
Frye Art Museum, Chamber Music, curated by Scott Lawrimore, Seattle, Washington
SAM Gallery, Stitchery, Seattle, Washington
2012
Greg Kucera Gallery, Under the Rainbow, Seattle, Washington
SOIL, Text Editor, curated by Sharon Arnold, Seattle, Washington
Hedreen Gallery, Sea-Cat #2, Seattle, Washington
2011
Greg Kucera Gallery, Mars vs Venus, Seattle, Washington
Sue Scott Gallery, UNPUNISHED, a kabinett curated by Nayland Blake, New York, New York
Vignettes, MEMES, curated by Sierra Stinson, Seattle, Washington
Bumbershoot Festival, Bumber by Number, curated by Marlow Harris and Jo David, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House, NEPO 5k DON'T RUN, Washington
Gallery (206), curated by Todd Jannausch, Seattle, Washington
SOIL, Bloom & Collapse, curated by Susanna Bluhm & Amanda Manitach, Seattle, Washington
2010
Tacoma Art Museum, Neddy Artist Fellowship, Tacoma, Washington
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Animal Imagery, curated by Greg Kucera, San Luis Obispo, California
SOIL, New Members Show, Seattle, Washington
Sound Transit Capitol Hill Wall Project, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House 4, curated by Klara Glosova, Seattle, Washington
2009
Cupcake Royale, Untitled Inaugural Group Show, curated by Roy McMakin, Seattle, Washington
Fancy, Aw Dude, Sweet, Seattle, Washington
2008
The Hideout, Selected Works, Seattle, Washington
2007
Vermillion, Gathering, Seattle, Washington
2006
Hedreen Gallery, Painted On, curated by Carrie EA Scott, Seattle, Washington
MEPAINTSME, Rainbow High, Web-only
2023
Tacoma Art Museum, Soft Power, Tacoma, Washington
Greg Kucera Gallery, Something Old, Something New, Seattle, Washington
Greg Kucera Gallery, The Truth Is..., Seattle, Washington
2022
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Indie Folk: New Art & Sounds from the Pacific Northwest, curated by Melissa Feldman, Pullman, Washington
[Also traveling to Schneider Museum of Art (Ashland, OR), Hallie Ford Museum of Art (Salem, OR), Bellevue Arts Museum (Bellevue, WA),
and Museum of Craft & Design (San Francisco, CA)]
2022
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Common Threads, Bainbridge Island, Washington
2021
J. Rinehart Gallery, Off the Wall, Seattle, Washington
2021
Museum of Museums, The Supperfield Museum of Contemporary Art, curated by Jennifer McNeely, Seattle, Washington
2020
Adams & Ollman, Indie Folk: New Art from the Pacific Northwest, curated by Mellissa Feldman, Portland, Oregon
2019
Joe Bar, Joe Bar One Hundred, curated by Ben Beres, Seattle, Washington
2018
Bellevue Arts Museum, Featured Objects, Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellwether 2018, curated by SuttonBeresCuller, Bellevue Arts Museum
The Factory, KIDS/NO KIDS, Seattle, Washington
2017
Schoenfeld's Building, Out of Sight, produced by Greg Lundgren, Seattle, Washington
Virago Gallery, Our Daily Armor III, Seattle, Washington
2016
Bridge Productions, Many Lands, curated by Ben Gannon, Seattle, Washington
V2, American Painting Today, curated by Matthew Offenbacher, Seattle, Washington
Tacoma Art Museum, NW Art Now, curated by Juan Roselione-Valadez & Rock Hushka, Tacoma, Washington
The Alice, cover reveals, curated by Julia Freeman, Seattle, Washington
2015
Seattle Art Museum, Rebel Rebel, curated by Catharina Manchanda, Seattle, Washington
The Satellite Show, Tiger Strikes Asteroid presents Artist-Run (The Alice), Miami, Florida
Hedreen Gallery, Good Neighbor, curated by Amanda Donnan, Seattle, Washington
King Street Station, Out of Sight, Seattle, Washington
2014
Cornish Main Gallery, Neddy at Cornish Exhibition, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House 5K, Rainbow Power Spirit Gate (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
2013
Frye Art Museum, Chamber Music, curated by Scott Lawrimore, Seattle, Washington
SAM Gallery, Stitchery, Seattle, Washington
2012
Greg Kucera Gallery, Under the Rainbow, Seattle, Washington
SOIL, Text Editor, curated by Sharon Arnold, Seattle, Washington
Hedreen Gallery, Sea-Cat #2, Seattle, Washington
2011
Greg Kucera Gallery, Mars vs Venus, Seattle, Washington
Sue Scott Gallery, UNPUNISHED, a kabinett curated by Nayland Blake, New York, New York
Vignettes, MEMES, curated by Sierra Stinson, Seattle, Washington
Bumbershoot Festival, Bumber by Number, curated by Marlow Harris and Jo David, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House, NEPO 5k DON'T RUN, Washington
Gallery (206), curated by Todd Jannausch, Seattle, Washington
SOIL, Bloom & Collapse, curated by Susanna Bluhm & Amanda Manitach, Seattle, Washington
2010
Tacoma Art Museum, Neddy Artist Fellowship, Tacoma, Washington
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Animal Imagery, curated by Greg Kucera, San Luis Obispo, California
SOIL, New Members Show, Seattle, Washington
Sound Transit Capitol Hill Wall Project, Seattle, Washington
NEPO House 4, curated by Klara Glosova, Seattle, Washington
2009
Cupcake Royale, Untitled Inaugural Group Show, curated by Roy McMakin, Seattle, Washington
Fancy, Aw Dude, Sweet, Seattle, Washington
2008
The Hideout, Selected Works, Seattle, Washington
2007
Vermillion, Gathering, Seattle, Washington
2006
Hedreen Gallery, Painted On, curated by Carrie EA Scott, Seattle, Washington
COLLECTIONS
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Art Collection
Cedar Hall (U.S. Bank Center)
Microsoft Art Collection
Meta Art Collection
King County Public Art Collection
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
Seattle Art Museum
Cedar Hall (U.S. Bank Center)
Microsoft Art Collection
Meta Art Collection
King County Public Art Collection
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
Seattle Art Museum
ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS
2022
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Cozy Crafternoon wtih Ben Gannon & Joey Veltkamp, Bainbridge Island, Washington
2020
Facebook, 10x10 Print Exhibition, Seattle, Washington
2018
cogean? (with Ben Gannon), an experimental home gallery space, Bremerton, Washington (and 2019)
Facebook, Facebook Artist-in-Residence Program, Seattle, Washington
2016
PDX Contemporary Window Project, PDX Holiday Box, Portland, Oregon
2015
Cornish College of the Arts, Neddy Artist Award Program presents Joey Veltkamp, Artist in Residence, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Party in the Park, Seattle, Washington
2014
Hedreen Gallery, Seattle Women's Convention with Susanna Bluhm, Jen Graves, Susie Lee, organized by Joey Veltkamp
Rhino Room, Kesha Dance Party with Matthew Offenbacher and Rumi Koshino
Seattle Art Museum, Party in the Park & Silent Auction, Seattle, Washington
2013
Seattle Art Museum, Mini Art Fair at Remix, co-organizer, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
Henry Art Gallery, 2013 Gala, Jeffry Mitchell ("heaps of help from Joey Veltkamp"), Seattle, Wash.
Hedreen Gallery, Salon Revisited series, Seattle, Washington
2012
Henry Art Gallery, Favorite Art Projects, organized by Tova Cubert, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM (with Jeffry Mitchell), Seattle, Washington
2011
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM, Seattle, Washington
2010
City Arts Magazine, inaugural host/co-organizer for monthly City Arts Art Walk Awards, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM, Seattle, Washington
The New Guard, visual arts curator
2009
Artist-in-Residence, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Cozy Crafternoon wtih Ben Gannon & Joey Veltkamp, Bainbridge Island, Washington
2020
Facebook, 10x10 Print Exhibition, Seattle, Washington
2018
cogean? (with Ben Gannon), an experimental home gallery space, Bremerton, Washington (and 2019)
Facebook, Facebook Artist-in-Residence Program, Seattle, Washington
2016
PDX Contemporary Window Project, PDX Holiday Box, Portland, Oregon
2015
Cornish College of the Arts, Neddy Artist Award Program presents Joey Veltkamp, Artist in Residence, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Party in the Park, Seattle, Washington
2014
Hedreen Gallery, Seattle Women's Convention with Susanna Bluhm, Jen Graves, Susie Lee, organized by Joey Veltkamp
Rhino Room, Kesha Dance Party with Matthew Offenbacher and Rumi Koshino
Seattle Art Museum, Party in the Park & Silent Auction, Seattle, Washington
2013
Seattle Art Museum, Mini Art Fair at Remix, co-organizer, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM (with Ben Gannon), Seattle, Washington
Henry Art Gallery, 2013 Gala, Jeffry Mitchell ("heaps of help from Joey Veltkamp"), Seattle, Wash.
Hedreen Gallery, Salon Revisited series, Seattle, Washington
2012
Henry Art Gallery, Favorite Art Projects, organized by Tova Cubert, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM (with Jeffry Mitchell), Seattle, Washington
2011
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM, Seattle, Washington
2010
City Arts Magazine, inaugural host/co-organizer for monthly City Arts Art Walk Awards, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, Set the Table for SAM, Seattle, Washington
The New Guard, visual arts curator
2009
Artist-in-Residence, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington
AWARDS & HONORS
2019
GAP Grant Recipient from Artist Trust
2014
Neddy Finalist (Open Medium)
2010
Neddy Finalist (Painting)
GAP Grant Recipient from Artist Trust
2014
Neddy Finalist (Open Medium)
2010
Neddy Finalist (Painting)
TEACHING, LECTURES, & TOURS
2016
Evergreen State College, Artist Lecture, Olympia, Washington
2015
University of Washington, Artist Lecture, Seattle, Washington
2013
Frye Art Museum, Then is Also Now Lecture Series: roundtable with Scott Lawrimore, Seattle, Washington
2012
Seattle Art Museum (Olympic Sculpture Park), Saturday Sketches, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, My Favorite Things Tour: Gaugin and Jimmy Buffett, Seattle, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Quilt Drawings in the Gallery with Joey Veltkamp, Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bold Expression Tour, Bellevue, Washington
2011
Foundation Drawing, co-taught with Jeffry Mitchell, Cornish College of the Arts Summer Program
Gage Academy, Artist Tool Kit Program: The Role of Art Criticism, Seattle, Washington
2009
Seattle Art Museum, My Favorite Things Tour: Target Practice, Seattle, Washington
Evergreen State College, Artist Lecture, Olympia, Washington
2015
University of Washington, Artist Lecture, Seattle, Washington
2013
Frye Art Museum, Then is Also Now Lecture Series: roundtable with Scott Lawrimore, Seattle, Washington
2012
Seattle Art Museum (Olympic Sculpture Park), Saturday Sketches, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Art Museum, My Favorite Things Tour: Gaugin and Jimmy Buffett, Seattle, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Quilt Drawings in the Gallery with Joey Veltkamp, Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bold Expression Tour, Bellevue, Washington
2011
Foundation Drawing, co-taught with Jeffry Mitchell, Cornish College of the Arts Summer Program
Gage Academy, Artist Tool Kit Program: The Role of Art Criticism, Seattle, Washington
2009
Seattle Art Museum, My Favorite Things Tour: Target Practice, Seattle, Washington
