Timothy Norris
b. 1963 Downers Grove, Illinois
Lives & Works in West Michigan
contact: timothyallennorris@gmail.com
EDUCATION
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1987 M.F.A. Painting, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
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1986 M.A. Studio Arts, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
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1985 B.A. Art History, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
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EMPLOYMENT
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1996-2020 (retired)
Instructor of Art and Art History. Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Michigan.
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2011-13
Chair, Arts and Humanities Department. Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Michigan.
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1992-96
Curator of Exhibitions and Collections. Art Center of Battle Creek, Battle Creek, Michigan.
1990-96
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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1988-90
Assistant Professor of Art. Pikeville College, Pikeville, Kentucky.
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SOLO AND TWO-PERSON SHOWS
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2025
Still Life with Bowl of Universe: Ari Norris and Timothy Norris. Truman State University Art Gallery. Kirksville, Missouri.
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2024
Patricia Opel and Timothy Norris, Red on Blue Gallery. South Haven, Michigan.
2015
Controlled Burn: Works by Lee S. Brown and Timothy Norris. Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, Albion College, Michigan.
2012
Fire and Ashes: Works by Timothy Norris. Collins Art Gallery, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan.
2011
Fire and Ashes: Works by Timothy Norris. Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Michigan.
2010
Fire and Ashes: Works by Timothy Norris. Alden B. Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan.
2010
Timothy Norris: Fire Paintings, Carbon Drawings, and Earthwork Models. Overbrook Gallery, Muskegon Community College, Michigan.
2009
Wrestling Natures: Solo and Collaborative Works by Timothy Norris and Patricia Opel. Stubnitz Gallery, Department of Art and
Design, Adrian College, Michigan.
2009
Through a Crack in the Lake: Collaborative Paintings. Richmond Art Center, Frostic School of Art, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
2008
Through a Crack in the Lake. Rankin Gallery, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan.
2006
Through a Crack in the Lake. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
2005
Through a Crack in the Lake. Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, Michigan.
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Universe. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2005
Through a Crack in the Lake. Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, Albion College, Michigan.
2003
Deep Fields and Fire Wheels: New Paintings and Drawings. Southwest Michigan College, Dowagiac, Michigan.
Deep Fields and Fire Wheels: New Paintings and Drawings. Overbrook Gallery, Muskegon Community College, Michigan.
2002
Through a Crack in the Lake. Augustana College Art Museum, Rock Island, Illinois.
2002
Solo Works. Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois.
2000
Wrestling Natures: Collaborative Paintings. Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan.
2000
Through a Crack in the Lake. Artsplace, Newaygo County Council for the Arts, Fremont, Michigan.
1997
The Order of the Tensions Continuing: Selected Works from the Series 1993-96. Overbrook Gallery, Muskegon Community College, Michigan.
1997
Wrestling Natures. Carnegie Center for the Arts, Three Rivers, Michigan.
1996
Timothy Norris: Paintings. Perkinson Gallery, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois.
1995
The Order of the Tensions Continuing. Davidson Gallery, Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Michigan.
1994
The Order of the Tensions Continuing. Gallery II, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1992
Recent Work. David Strawn Gallery, Jacksonville, Illinois.
1992
Paintings. The Upjohn Company, in association with the Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1991
Paintings. Kingscott Gallery, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1987
M.F.A. Exhibition. Graduate Gallery, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
1986
M.A. Exhibition. Graduate Gallery, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
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NATIONAL GROUP SHOWS
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2016
Drawing Never Dies. Redline Gallery, Denver, Colorado.
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1993
The Halpert Biennial National Exhibition. Catherine Smith Gallery, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina.
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1992
Painting-Like. Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
1992
Fifth Annual Invitational Show. Gallery 124, Kemper Center, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
1989
Gallery Artists. Robinson/Willis Gallery, Nashville, Tennessee.
1988
Small Works, Big Ideas. Harper College Gallery, Palatine, Illinois.
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SELECTED GROUP SHOWS AND JURIED COMPETITIONS
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2017
Whitewater Valley Competition. Thomas Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, Indiana.
2014
Teachers Show. Fire Barn Gallery, Grand Haven, Michigan.
2013
Artprize. Western Michigan University Grand Rapids Center, Michigan.
2013
Drawing and Printmaking Exhibition. Lowell Area Arts Council, Lowell, Michigan.
2013
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan.
Greater Michigan Exhibition, Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan.
2012
Artprize. Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan.
Greater Michigan Exhibition, Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan. Merit Award for 2-D Artwork.
84th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan.
2010
82nd Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
Mirror, Mirror: Art Inspired by Folk and Fairy Tales. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
Change of Seasons Juried Competition, White Lake Gallery, Montague, Michigan. Best of Show Award.
2009
81st Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
2008
80th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan. Honorable Mention.
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan.
Social Discourse. Lansing Art Gallery, Michigan.
Change of Seasons Juried Competition, White Lake Gallery, Montague, Michigan. White Lake Gallery Choice Award.
2007
Greater Michigan Exhibition. Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan. Grand Prize.
79th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan. Purchase Prize: Grand Valley State University.
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan. Second Place Award.
2006
78th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
Change of Seasons Juried Competition, White Lake Gallery, Montague, Michigan. Second Place Award.
2005
Wheels in Motion. Muskegon Museum of Art. Ten artists interpret the theme of technology and humanity as a part of the annual county-wide Arts and Humanities Festival.
Water Wonderland: Michigan’s Fragile Resource. Lowell Area Arts Council. 32 Michigan artists respond to water.
All Michigan/All Media Competition, Rankin Gallery, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan.
77th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
Festival of the Arts Juried Exhibition. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Michigan.
2004
All Michigan/All Media Exhibition. Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan. Third Place Award.
Artist as Educator. Artsplace, Newaygo County Council for the Arts, Fremont, Michigan.
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan.
76th Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
2002
Michigan Artists Competition. Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan.
2001
Michigan Artists Competition. Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan.
73rd Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
Other Views. Buckham Gallery, Flint, Michigan.
2000
72nd Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
Michigan Artists Competition. Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan.
West Michigan Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan. Pfizer (Pharmacia/Upjohn) Corp. Purchase Award.
1999
Back to the Future: 30th Anniversary Invitational. The Art Center, Mt. Clemens, Mich.
71st Regional Competition. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan.
1998
The Fall of the House of Usher. Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids. Paintings also used in Opera Grand Rapids’ production of The Fall of the House of Usher by Philip Glass.
1996
Streams and Chains. Michigan Traveling show: Adrian College, Albion College, Muskegon Community College, Lansing Art Gallery, Saginaw Art Museum, Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, McCune Art Center in Petoskey.
State-line Vicinity Exhibition. Rockford Art Museum, Illinois.
A Good Painting Show. Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Rochester, Michigan.
1995
Streams and Chains. Artspace-Center for Contemporary Arts, Lima, Ohio.
Cristina Carver and Timothy Norris. Bobitt Visual Arts Center, Albion College, Michigan.
Flight and Friction: Works by Pi Benio and Timothy Norris. MaComb Art Center, Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
Timothy Norris, Patricia Opel, and John Running-Johnson. Fine Arts Gallery, University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan.
W.M.U. Art Faculty Exchange Exhibition. University Galleries, Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.
The Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan. Juror: Janet Fish.
1994
Brendan Keenan and Timothy Norris. Vesuvius Gallery, Glenn, Michigan.
The All Michigan/All Media Show. Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan. Best of Show Award.
1993
The Halpert Biennial National Exhibition. Catherine Smith Gallery, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina.
Art Faculty Exhibition. Dalton Center, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The All Michigan/All Media Show. Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan. Honorable Mention.
65th Annual Regional Show. Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan. Juror: Susan Senseman.
1992
East Meets West. Michigan Traveling Show: Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Painting-Like. Bowman, Penelec, and Megahan Galleries, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Vessels. Michigan Traveling Show: Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph; Holland Area Arts Center; South Haven Center for Contemporary Arts.
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1992
The All Michigan/All Media Show. Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan.
The Regional Artists’ Biennial Exhibition. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Indiana.
Fifth Annual Invitational Show. Gallery 124, Kemper Center, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
1991
17th Michiana Biennial. South Bend Art Center, Indiana. Juror: Bruce Guenther.
The All Michigan Exhibition. Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills Arts Association, Michigan. Juror: Al Loving. Excellence Award.
The All Michigan/All Media Show. Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan. Juror: Dennis Barrie.
The Area Show. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michigan. Juror: Ed Paschke.
Fourth Annual Invitational Show. Gallery 124, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
1990
Timothy Norris, Patricia Opel, and John Running-Johnson. The Center for Contemporary Arts, South Haven, Michigan.
Donald Depyudt and Timothy Norris. Brenner Gallery, Quincy College, Illinois.
Exhibition 280. Huntington Museum of Art, West Virginia. Jurors: Hollis Sigler, Carole Thompson, Amada Cruz.
1989
Gallery Artists. Robinson/Willis Gallery, Nashville, Tennessee.
Four Artists: Recent Work. Buckham Gallery Fine Arts Project, Flint, Michigan.
1988
Second Annual Invitational Show. Gallery 124, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Small Works, Big Ideas. Art Gallery, Harper College, Palatine, Illinois.
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PUBLIC AND CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
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Albion College
Art Center of Battle Creek
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Valley State University
Kellogg Community College
MaComb Art Center
Millikin University
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Museum of Art
Pfizer (Pharmacia/Upjohn) Corporation
West Michigan Symphony
Western Michigan University
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HONORS AND AWARDS
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2017
First Place: MI-Arts- All Media/All Michigan Competition, Holland Area Arts Council, Michigan.
First Place: All Media Competition, Oliver Arts Center, Frankfort, Michigan.
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2012
Merit Award for 2-D Artwork: Greater Michigan Exhibition, Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan.
2009
Research Sabbatical. Muskegon Community College.
2007
Grand Prize: Greater Michigan Exhibition, Dow Museum of Art and Science, Midland, Michigan.
Grand Valley State University Purchase Award: 79th Regional Competition, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan.
Second Place (for collaborative painting with Patti Opel). West Michigan Area Show, Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
2004
Third Place. All Michigan/All Media Exhibition, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan.
2002
Research Sabbatical. Muskegon Community College.
2000
Pfizer/Pharmacia Corp. Purchase Award. West Michigan Area Show, Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1994
Best of Show: Arts Foundation of Michigan Award. All Michigan/All Media Show, Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan.
1991
Excellence Award: All Michigan Exhibition, Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills Arts Association, Birmingham, Michigan.
1985-87
Graduate Teaching Assistantship: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
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RELATED PROJECTS, PRESENTATIONS, JURYING, AND VISITING ARTIST ENGAGEMENTS
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2013-present “Celtic Art and Symbols,” Michigan Irish Music Festival, Muskegon.
2012
Gallery Talk: Fire and Ashes: Works by Timothy Norris. Collins Art Gallery, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan.
2009
Visiting Artist: Department of Art and Design, Adrian College, Michigan.
Gallery Talk, Through a Crack in the Lake at the Richmond Art Center, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
2008
Gallery Talk, Through a Crack in the Lake at the Rankin Gallery, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan.
2008
Co-juror, Safety Awareness Challenge: county-wide 3rd grade student art competition sponsored by Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office.
2006
Radio Interview: Through a Crack in the Lake at the Muskegon Museum of Art, WBLV Blue Lake Public Radio, Grand Rapids-Muskegon metro region.
2005
Radio Interview: Universe at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, WBLV Blue Lake Public Radio, Grand Rapids-Muskegon metro region.
2003
Juror: 27th Fine Arts Exhibition, Augustana College Art Museum, Rock Island, Illinois.
2002
Visiting Artist: Augustana College and Black Hawk College, Quad Cities, Illinois.
2000
Lecture Series: The Language of Art, Artsplace, Newaygo County Council for the Arts, Fremont, Michigan.
1998
Paintings in Opera Grand Rapids’ The Fall of the House of Usher by Philip Glass.
1998
Docent Program Lecture Series: The Ancient History of Contemporary Art, Muskegon Museum of Art.
1998
Juror: Art in the Park Art Fair, Muskegon Museum of Art.
1998
Visiting Artist: painting course, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1996
Co-juror: Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.
1995
Visiting Artist: Senior’s Critique Session, Art Dept., Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan.
Juror: Scene in my World competitive exhibition, Traverse Area Arts Council, Traverse City, Michigan.
Panelist: “The Michigan Environment”, held in conjunction with Affected Environments: Post-Industrial Visions by Michigan Artists at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.
1994
Lecture: “The French Impressionists”, Elder Hostel Institute, Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Michigan.
Juror: Student Show, Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, Michigan.
1991-92
Workshop Instructor: Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1990
Radio Interview: Norris, Opel, Running-Johnson Exhibition at South Haven Center of the Contemporary Arts, WMUK Public Radio, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1990
Visiting Artist slide talk and class discussion: Fine Arts Seminar, The Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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“Through a crack in the lake: artful alumni,” Honore Lee, Kalamazoo Gazette, May, 2009.
“Abstract shipwrecks make an energetic impact,” John Walson, Muskegon Chronicle, Feb. 2006.
“Water inspires artists,” Gail Philbin, Grand Rapids Press, Oct. 2005.
“Exhibit captures essence of nature,” John Walson, Muskegon Chronicle, Apr. 2003
“Michigan family offers a glimpse of the crack in the lake,” Julie Jensen, The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, Sept. 2002.
“Exhibit showcases passionate energy,” John Walson, Muskegon Chronicle, Feb. 4, 1997.
“Artist goes big with the abstract,” Marianne Van Eenenaam, Muskegon Chronicle, Jan. 12, 1997.
“Fontana upholds standards,” Amy Sult, Kalamazoo Gazette, July 31, 1996.
“WMU faculty show more satisfying,” Amy Sult, Kalamazoo Gazette, Sept. 17, 1995.
“Artists balance contemporary work,” Mary Ellen Zang, Flint Journal, June 11, 1995.
“Sculptural paintings capture shifting tensions,” Amy Sult, Kalamazoo Gazette, Dec. 4, 1994.
“Artists blur lines between media,” Honore Lee, Kalamazoo Gazette, Aug. 21, 1994.
“Mixed fare found in WMU faculty show,” Amy Sult, Kalamazoo Gazette, Sept. 26, 1993.
“Small shows offer big rewards,” Peggy Michael, Kalamazoo Gazette, Sept. 22, 1991.
Exhibition Catalogue: Artists’ Regional Biennial Exhibition. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 1992.
Exhibition Catalogue: Painting-Like. Allegheny College, 1992.
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CURATORIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1998
Left Turn and Other Directions- The Monis Shuster Print Collection, Muskegon Museum of Art, Guest Curator.
1995-98
Streams and Chains. Independently curated traveling show of seven Michigan artists’ explorations in abstraction. Artspace-
Center for the Contemporary Arts, Lima, Ohio. Michigan sites: Albion College, Adrian College, Muskegon Community College,
Lansing Art Gallery, Saginaw Art Museum, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie; McCune Art Center, Petoskey.
1995-98
Affected Environments: Post-Industrial Visions by Michigan Artists. Art Center of Battle Creek national traveling show on the theme of nature and industry. Valdosta State University, Valdosta Georgia; Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. Michigan sites: Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson; Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti; Arts Foundation of Michigan, Detroit; Saginaw Art Museum, Muskegon Community College.
SELECTED REVIEWS OF CURATED SHOWS
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A Human Presence and Horror Vacuii: “Two exhibits illuminate life in the ‘90s”, Roger Green, syndicated Booth News art critic, Apr. 1996.
Affected Environments: “Imaginative works shake up complacency“, Roger Green, Sept. 1995.
The Sculptural Environment: “Installations make 4-person show soar”, Roger Green, Apr. 1995.
Paperwork: “Artists expand possibilities of paper”, Roger Green, Feb. 1995.
Voices of the Children: “Children’s voices tell painful stories of life in war zones”, Eric Martin, Kalamazoo Gazette, Mar. 13, 1994.
The World of Masks: “Mask exhibit draws on cultures from around the world”, Roger Green, Feb. 1994.
Intimate Universe and Miniature Worlds: “Small scale works largely expressive”, Roger Green, Dec. 1993.