About Kimberlee Rocca
Links
Education
1988 - 1991
University of Iowa
Awards
2024
Art Comes Alive Artist Award
2012
Oconomowoc Wisconsin Art Festival Best of Mixed Media 2D
Upcoming events
Event: Art Comes Alive 2024
Dates: 16 Nov 2024 - 16 Jan 2025
Juried Artist Awards Exhibition 2024
2 Works Selected
Artist Award
Event: Depth: Layers in Translation
Dates: 1 Nov 2024 - 27 Feb 2025
Depth: Layers in Translation focuses on the unique approaches artists take in the creation of their work. Layering is an integral function in the ‘making’ process—an essential element in nearly every artwork. This exhibition highlights the distinctive ways in which subject matter emerges from process. Often, artworks are created in stages, each layer building on the last; the final result is inseparable from the steps involved. In some pieces, depth is forced or implied through masterful optical illusions. Whether through material texture in addition or subtraction, overlapping color, or subtle shifts in perspective, these works convey the transformation from process to final form.
-Lauren Tucci, Gallery Director
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Previous events
Event: All Members Show
Dates: 1 Dec 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
Group Exhibition of Members
Event: Itty Bitty Bits
Dates: 31 Oct 2024 - 26 Nov 2024
Annual Group Exhibitin
Event: Syzygy
Dates: 1 Oct 2024 - 26 Oct 2024
Overwhelmed by my insignificance I wondered how my tiny piece of creativity would matter. Over time and through much transformation, like geological layers forming and being carved away through time, I am slowly unearthing jewels of things that only I can create and only I can share. When putting everything into perspective I fully embrace the notion that I am pulled from the God of creation and uniquely designed to express through my work as only I can.
As every grain of sand or tiny snowflake is unique, so too every planet, star and galaxy possess a one of a kind signature that grows and continually changes. Exponential transformation is the nature of my work. Each piece reflects a point in time, but is designed to be repositioned or reconfigured. The whims of creativity are fickle. Nothing is forever on this earth, but interaction is constant. So interact with my work.
Event: From Waste to Wonder
Dates: 1 Sep 2024 - 30 Sep 2024
Solo Exhibition
Works in Wood
Play Sculptures
Mobiles
Wall Sculptures
Event: A Journey of Color & Shape
Dates: 1 May 2024 - 30 Jun 2024
Playful table and wall sculptures.
Event: BOLD
Dates: 23 Jan 2024 - 10 Feb 2024
Mini Group Exhibition
Sharon Burns Knutson, Kimberlee Rocca and Mary Zeran
Event: Uncontainable Meanderings & Affinities
Dates: 18 Dec 2023 - 13 Jan 2024
Group Exhibition Kimberlee Rocca & Ethan Edvenson
Event: Octagonal All Media Juried Show 2023
Dates: 3 Mar 2023 - 8 Apr 2023
National Juried Group Exhibition
Event: A Plethora of Art & Play
Dates: 1 Mar 2023 - 30 Apr 2023
Solo Exhibition of Wall Sculptures, Foil Imaging prints and Play Sculpture table
Event: Walls of Whimsy
Dates: 30 Jan 2023 - 1 May 2023
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Gallery Solo Show
Event: Art Center of Burlington Members Show 2022
Dates: 22 Nov 2022 - 28 Dec 2022
Group Member show done yearly
Event: Itty Bitty Bits Group Show
Dates: 1 Nov 2022 - 18 Nov 2022
Yearly group exhibition of works 12x12 or under
Event: Gallery Walk Iowa City Fall 2022
Dates: 7 Oct 2022 - 7 Oct 2022
Come hang out for hands on play.
Pivot is an interactive exhibit as I open my world of creativity for hands-on exploration and visitor participation.
The ArtiFactory gallery space is located in the lower level of the Wesley Student Center,
Event: Rockford Museum Midwestern Biennial 2022
Dates: 7 Oct 2022 - 22 Jan 2023
Juried Exhibition
Event: Teaching through Art & Play
Dates: 29 Sep 2022 - 22 Dec 2022
Teaching moments are part of furthering artistic ventures for future generations. I was given the opportunity to share my work in a wonderful gallery at Hillcrest Academy. On exhibition are works from several collections including my recent Play Sculptures. Check in with the school office for access or visit the gallery during one of the many school activity nights.
Event: Pivot
Dates: 1 Sep 2022 - 20 Nov 2022
Come hang out for hands on play.
Pivot is an interactive exhibit as I open my world of creativity for hands-on exploration and visitor participation.
The ArtiFactory gallery space is located in the lower level of the Wesley Student Center,
Event: Art in the Library
Dates: 1 Sep 2022 - 31 Oct 2023
A small collection of oversized wall sculpture works on display for the literary public.
Event: Carve Out Time for Art Artist Takeover
Dates: 7 Aug 2022 - 8 Aug 2022
Full Instagram takeover for Carve Out Time for Art. I share my story, my studio and my adventures for one whole day on their Instagram platform.
Event: Carve Out Time for Art Artist Takeover
Dates: 7 Aug 2022 - 8 Aug 2022
Full Instagram takeover for Carve Out Time for Art. I share my story, my studio and my adventures for one whole day on their Instagram platform.
Event: Carve Out Time for Art Artist Takeover
Dates: 7 Aug 2022 - 8 Aug 2022
Full Instagram takeover for Carve Out Time for Art. I share my story, my studio and my adventures for one whole day on their Instagram platform.
Event: Quad City Arts 2nd Ave Window
Dates: 11 Jul 2022 - 16 Aug 2022
Solo Pop-up window art installation at the featured main street window of the Quad City Arts. This is a juried art call.
Event: Octagon Center for the Arts - Member Show 2022
Dates: 9 Jul 2022 - 13 Aug 2022
This unjuried show celebrates the skills, creativity, and lived experiences of the Octagon community! Let’s fill the gallery and surround ourselves with our own amazing work — established artists next to emerging artists, all media.
Event: Picking Up the Pieces
Dates: 29 Jan 2021 - 28 Feb 2021
I am an Iowa artisan working by day in new home construction and remodeling. My job sites are filled with a myriad of common, yet unusual materials that continually spark my imagination and wiggle their way into my fine art works. Designing and building homes captures a desire for large scale creativity; the ever-flowing variety of construction waste products captivates a bold approach. My two creative disciplines are intertwined, and I have found that I can barely do one without the other.
Event: Behind the Veil
Dates: 13 Oct 2017 - 31 Jan 2018
On the edge of two worlds, luxuriate in songs of color in two and three dimensions.
A collection of mixed media works on paper, roll leaf foil on metal mobile works, small scale watercolors and 3 story cascading luminescent veil installation.
Event: Kimberlee Rocca - Short Stories
Dates: 15 Sep 2015 - 31 Oct 2015
A collection short stories told in images of roll leaf foil imaging works on aluminum
Event: Pioneer in Foil Imaging the Art of Kimberlee Rocca
Dates: 15 Sep 2014 - 30 Oct 2014
A collection of Roll leaf foil works on paper and metal integrated with a collection of mixed media works with foil accents on paper and canvas.
Biography
I am an Iowa artisan who grew up in Iowa City. I work by day in new home construction and remodeling, while unceasingly working as a mixed media artist. My job sites are filled with a myriad of common, yet uncommon materials that continually spark my imagination and wiggle their way into my fine art works. I studied Metals, Printmaking, Fiber Arts and Graphic Design at the University of Iowa (BFA). Since 1992 I have pursued the development of techniques related to Foil Imaging and currently create my work in a studio space in North Liberty, IA. Simultaneously I draft and construct custom homes in the greater Iowa City area with Rocca Custom Homes.
My over 30-year pursuit
of artistic endeavors has continually circled me back around to reclamation and
collaboration. My passion for color, process, experimentation and
salvaging merge to translate my
love of nature and modern lines into vibrant, textural and whimsical 2-d and
3-d abstract works.
Uniquely crafted shapes are slathered in acrylics, pastels, oil crayons, spray paint, inks, pencils and roll leaf foils to create dynamic colors, textures and compositions. I cut, drill, sand, grind and assemble the newly created pieces into conglomerations of wall and table sculptures. These abstracted works and color palettes are Inspired by radiant sunsets, panoramic skies, vast fields, deep waters, winding trails and geology of every kind. My artistry is filled with bold colors and wild shapes with intentional imperfections. No piece too broken, nothing too marred. I find and see beauty everywhere.
