Charles Gilbert Kapsner

{"Id":7629,"Name":"Charles Gilbert Kapsner","Biography":"\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBiography\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026ldquo;Remember nature is your teacher, I am your guide\u0026rdquo;\u003C/em\u003E, was a prevailing theme in the studio of Nerina Simi (1890 \u0026ndash; 1987) in Florence, Italy, where Charles Kapsner\u0026rsquo;s greatest learning as a painter occurred. His artistic roots are planted in the 15th Century, yet he remains a contemporary painter whose compositions fuse old and new. He works to ensure that both art and artist are accessible, and that the images serve as educational tools.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPerfecting the drawing is critical before ever picking up a brush, a lesson ingrained in him from his time with Simi. Largely a studio painter, Kapsner prefers the \u0026ldquo;Vanitas\u0026rdquo; style of still life painting in which the various objects depicted symbolize the brevity and vanity of human existence. His repertoire includes drawings, florals, portraits, figurative pieces, nudes, and dancers, painted primarily from life. He is also known for his work on several frescoes in the US and Italy.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInterwoven through several decades and in between his studio time are two community-based art projects: the Little Falls Fresco Project, two large frescoes (9 X 26 ft. and 18 X 41 ft.) in the local elementary school that portray scenes of significance to Central Minnesota; and the Veterans Education Historic Monument, commissioned in 2009, which Kapsner shares is perhaps the most impactful of his career.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Monument is series of five 8\u0026rsquo; X 10\u0026rsquo; oil paintings installed in the Committal Hall at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Each painting depicts the stories of the men and women of each of the five U.S military branches. These projects, all located within 10 miles of his central Minnesota hometown and reliant on funds raised from a variety of local sources, provide Kapsner with what he shares as \u0026ldquo;community ownership in the art in a meaningful and important way\u0026rdquo;. He recalls the words from his high school graduation speaker who urged the class to give back to the community, and Kapsner views these public works of art as his contribution to the place he will always call home.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKapsner is the recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the Florence Biennale, Master Artist from the Five Wings Arts Council in Minnesota, a Public Service Commendation from the United States Coast Guard and the Superior Volunteer Service Medal, the highest award given to a civilian by the Adjutant General of Minnesota National Guard\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHe calls Little Falls, MN home, and travels frequently between Minnesota, North Carolina and Italy.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","Awards":"\u003Cp\u003E2019 ARC 14th Annual International Salon, Finalist\u003Cbr /\u003E2019 Oil Painters of America 28th Annual National Exhibition, Finalist\u003Cbr /\u003E2019 Studio Pintura, Second Annual Floral Show, Honorable Mention\u003Cbr /\u003E2018 Studio Pintura, First Annual Floral Show, 1st Place and People\u0026rsquo;s Choice Award\u003Cbr /\u003E2018 Hudson Valley Art Association, Inc., Al Camurati Memorial Award\u003Cbr /\u003E2018 National Oil and Acrylic Painters\u0027 Society (NOAPS) Online international, Best Still Life\u003Cbr /\u003E2017 ARC 13th Annual International Competition, Finalist Still Life\u003Cbr /\u003E2017 OPA Eastern Regional, Finalist\u003Cbr /\u003E2017 U. S. Coast Guard, Public Service Commendation \u003Cbr /\u003E2017 Salmagundi Club New Member Show, 1st Place \u003Cbr /\u003E2016 Oil Painters of America Salon, Silver Medal \u003Cbr /\u003E2016 Portrait Society of America Members Only, Finalist Still Life\u003Cbr /\u003E2013 Five Wings Arts Council, Master Artist 2013-2015\u003Cbr /\u003E2011 Susan K. Black Foundation: Art of the Flower, Finalist \u003Cbr /\u003E2003 Florence Biennale, Career Achievement Award \u003Cbr /\u003E2001 Hudson Valley Art Association, Inc. Thora M. Gensen Portrait Award\u003Cbr /\u003E1992 Kenan Visiting Artist, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC\u003Cbr /\u003E1975 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation: Montreal, Canada\u003C/p\u003E","HasAlbums":false,"HasPortraits":false,"HasRelationships":false,"HasArticles":false,"HasDepictedPlaces":false,"HasLetters":false,"HasLibraryItems":false,"HasProducts":false,"HasSignatures":false,"HasVideos":false,"HasMapLocations":false,"TotalArtworks":24}