Particularly inspired by the contemporary labor movement, and her experience as a rank-and-file teacher's union organizer (and union "salt"), Kate Ostler's work reflects activism, organizing, and campaign language. Originally from Chicago, Ostler lives in New York City.
Education
2014 - Brooklyn College of the City University of New York - Master of Fine Arts
2009-10 - Loyola University Chicago - Graduate School of Education (Curriculum and Instruction)
2008 - Lawrence University - K-12 Teacher Certification in Visual Art
2007 - Lawrence University - Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art and Education
2006 - ACM/University of Chicago - Special Fieldwork Semester in Urban Studies and Arts Outreach
Selected Exhibitions
2018 - Kate Ostler: LaborCraft (solo), American Labor Museum - Haledon, New Jersey (forthcoming)
2015 - New Work New York, Arts@Renaissaince & St. Nick's Alliance - Brooklyn, New York
2015 - Translations, Reed College Museum of Art, Emergent Art Space - Portland, Oregon
2014 - This is what sculpture looks like, Postmasters Gallery - New York, New York
2014 - Block Party, Collective Sculpture at Deep Tanks Art Space - Staten Island, New York
2014 - Possible as a Pair of Shoes, Curated by Sharon Butler, SHOWROOM Gowanus - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Artificial Light, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Multiple Choice, Boylan Art Gallery at Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York (co-curator)
2012 - Veterans Affairs and Tributes, Brooklyn College CUNY VACC - Brooklyn, New York
2012 - Triage, Arts@Renaissaince - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - Masters on Campus, Loyola University - Chicago, Illinois
2009 - Sensing Space, Heaven Gallery in association with The Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, Illinois
2008 - Work of Lawrence Alumni of the 21st Century, Warch Gallery at Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007 - Thesis Exhibition, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007 - Painters, Mudd Gallery - Appleton, Wisconsin
2006 - Holiday, Lillstreet Art Center - Chicago, Illinois
2006 - My Imaginary Maps of My Chicago (solo), ACM Urban Studies Center - Chicago, Illinois
Awards, Grants and Residencies
2015 - Exhibition Award for Tape Recording, Emergent Art Space - San Francisco, California
2014 - Dedalus Foundation Fellowship Nominee - New York, New York
2014 - Cerf Award in Studio Art, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2014 - Master of Fine Arts Professional Development Award, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2013-2014 - Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Yolanda G. Jacobs Scholarship, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Artist in Residence, Bay Ridge Community Center - Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Magner Stipend Award for Visual Arts, Brooklyn College CUNY - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - Bead Project Fellowship, Urban Glass - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - Ceramic Artist in Residence, ClaySpace - Eugene, Oregon
2010-2011 - Partner Teacher, Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, Illinois
2010 - Summer Intensive Educator’s Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, Illinois
2009 - Summer Intensive Educator’s Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, Illinois
2008 - Superior Student Teacher, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007 - Exhibition Purchase Award, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007 - President’s Purchase Award, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007 - Dyrud Grant for Ceramic Art, Dyrud Foundation for the Arts - Appleton, Wisconsin
2006-2008 - Robert R. Gates Memorial Scholarship, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2006-2008 - Lucille Heller Shipman Scholarship, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2005-2007 - Marjorie S. Logan Scholarship, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
2005-2006 - Best Project Award, Artsbridge America - Appleton, Wisconsin
Teaching Experience
2014-2016 - New York Public Library, Teaching Artist - New York, New York
2013-2016 - Brooklyn College CUNY, Adjunct Instructor of Art - Brooklyn, New York
2013-2014 - Brooklyn College CUNY, Graduate Assistant in Ceramics - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - Brooklyn College CUNY, Graduate Intern in Ceramics - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - Fahari Academy Charter School, Fine Arts Teacher - Brooklyn, New York
2009-2011 - Chicago Math and Science Academy, Fine Arts and Electives Department Chair, Chicago, Illinois
2008-2011 - Chicago Math and Science Academy, Art Teacher - Chicago, Illinois
2007 - Appleton Area School District, Student Teacher (K-12 Visual Art) - Appleton, Wisconsin
2007-2009 - Chicago Lights' Summer Day School, Art Teacher - Chicago, Illinois
2006 - Becket Chimney YMCA, Creative Arts Director - Becket, Massachusetts
2005-2006 - ArtReach at Lillstreet, Grant Writer and Program Coordinator - Chicago, Illinois
2005-2006 - Artsbridge America, Artsbridge Scholarship and Workshop Leader - Appleton, Wisconsin
2004-2007 - Wriston Art Center, Studio Assistant (Printmaking and Ceramics Studios) - Appleton, Wisconsin
Press and Publications
2014 - The New York Times, "This is what sculpture looks like" by Roberta Smith
2014 - The Brooklyn Rail, "This is what sculpture looks like" by Anne Sherwood Pundyk
2014 - Huffington Post, "16 Contemporary Women Sculptors You Should Know" by Priscilla Frank
2014 - ArtInfo, "Singing Mussels, Swimming Pools, and Airplants: This Is Sculpture" by Scott Indrisek
2014 - Hyperallergic, "Possible as a Pair of Shoes: An MFA Thesis Exhibition" - New York, New York
2014 - Two Coats of Paint, "Message to the MFA Class of 2014" - Brooklyn, New York
2014 - The L Magazine, "MFA Thesis Shows Class of 2014" - Brooklyn, New York
2013 - University of Maine, Stolen Island Literary Journal - Orono, Maine
2013 - The Kingsman, "MFAs Open Studios to Public" - Brooklyn, New York
2012 - Two Coats of Paint, "Highlights from Brooklyn College Open Studios" - New York, New York
2012 - The Kingsman, "Transmutation of Boylan Hall" - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - Working Class Studies Conference, Union Leadership in Chicago (Plenary Panel) - Chicago, Illinois
Professional Affiliations
2015-Present - New York Artists' Circle - New York, New York
2013-Present - Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) - New York, New York
2013-2016 - Professional Staff Congress AFT, Local 2334 - New York, New York
2013-2014 - Graduate Art Student Union (Vice President), Brooklyn College - Brooklyn, New York
2012-Present - College Art Association
2012-2013 - Graduate Art Student Union, Brooklyn College - Brooklyn, New York
2011 - United Federation of Teachers Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff - New York, New York
2010-2011 - Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff - Chicago, Illinois
2009-2012 - American Federation of Teachers, Charter School Advisory Board - Washington D.C.
2009-2011 - Lillstreet Art Center Member - Chicago, Illinois
2009-2010 - Museum of Contemporary Art, Summer Educator Institute Member - Chicago, Illinois
2008-2011 - National Art Education Association
2008-2011 - Illinois Art Education Association
2008-2010 - Rogers Park Artists Coalition - Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois
2004-2008 - Wriston Art Collective, Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin