Employment
2008 - Present Artist, Designer, Writer, Curator: Christel Highland, LLC
2008 - 2021 Freelance Filmmaker, Talent, Designer.
2013 Consultant: “Perk,” an original short film
2013 - 2015 Bespoke Salon window designer
2012 - 2014 Creator / Key: The Jim Leedy Project: Organization and Preservation for a Living Master’s Works
2012 Instructor: Snow Farm, July Intensive, Berkshires, MA
2008 - 2011 Designer: Pistol Threads, LLC & Christel Highland, LLC
2001 - 2011 Designer: Royalty Earning Custom Embroidery Design
1997 - 2012. Freelance Costume Designer, On-Set Costumer, Stylist, Wigmaster
2001 - 2004 Garment Production: Production Manager, Design Assistant, Lead Cutter WomenSpirit
Honors & Awards
2020 Kansas City Municipal Arts Commission Voting Member
2020 KCI Public Art Executive Committee Member
2015 Featured Artist, Masks for Aid, 2016: Elevate, commissioned artwork for auction.
KC VOICES, Shadow over Gethsemani, Cover Artist, Whispering Prairie Press Annual Publication
2014 University of Missouri-Kansas City SEARCH Research Grant for Permacolor Project
Honors Society Member
2013 John Gutowski Memorial Scholarship for Studio Art
2013 University of Missouri-Kansas City Library Steering Committee
2012 - 2014 Dean’s List (all semesters), University of Missouri Kansas City
2002 Glamour Magazine Award: Based on an essay submission, awarded an all expense paid trip to have tea with the
inspiring fashion designer/ entrepreneur/ icon Diane Von Furstenburg.
1994 Presidential Scholar, Drake University
Exhibitions
Solo
2021 Spectrum, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2018 Conscious Detachment, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2016 Sanguine, Truman Medical Center, Kansas City, MO
2015 Other Worlds, A collaboration with Lori Raye Erickson, MO Bank, Kansas City, MO
Presumed Distance, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2014 New World Currency, MLB Design, Kansas City, MO
2013 Never Seen, Bespoke, Kansas City, MO
Penetopia, Beco Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Becoming Free, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
Misterioso, 10@BNIM, BNIM, Kansas City, MO
2012 Counter Essence | Contra Essence, Base Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2011 Silking, Eventport208, Kansas City, MO
Group
2013-Present Veritable Art Monthly Openings, Veritable Art, Kansas City, MO
2016 Synthetic Selection, The Late Show, Kansas City, MO
Metamorphosis, Main Street Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Hobbs Open Studios, April, Kansas City, MO
2015 Whispering Prairie Press Annual Invitational, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2015 Hobbs Open Studios, April and October, Kansas City, MO
2014 Two-person exhibit, Mersoft Corp, Overland Park, KS
2014 UMKC Student Show, UMKC Gallery of Art, Kansas City, MO
2014 We Now Pronounce You, UMKC Gallery of Art, Kansas City, MO
2013 Group Exhibition, Base Gallery, Kansas City, MO
13, UMKC Student Show, UMKC Gallery of Art, Kansas City, MO
2012 - 2013 Counter Essence | Contra Essence, Zimmer Real estate Headquarters, Kansas City, MO
2012 Rad, 2009 Gallery, Kansas City, MO
The Rieger Hotel and Exchange, Kansas City, MO
2011 Paint the Town (fundraiser for St. Luke’s Hospital), Kansas City, MO
ArtBra, Charity (fundraiser auction), Kansas City, MO
Her Art, UMKC Women’s Center Annual Show, Kansas City, MO
2010 Her Art, UMKC Women’s Center Annual Show, Kansas City, MO
2009 Art Bidz Auction House Monthly Group Showcase, Kansas City, MO
Collections
2021 Transmutation of Belief, Lisa Lala (private)
Treble, Todd Weiner (private)
Studies for 16@BNIM Exhibit, Kelly Reed (private)
2017 16 Piece Commission, The Equitable Building (corporate)
2016 Laguno, Karen and Jack Holland (private)
Obscuro, Karen and Jack Holland (private)
Misterioso, Lisa Allen Massage (corporate)
Mercury, Joe Ruby Construction (corporate)
2015 Shadow over Gethsemani, Raz Outabia (private)
Traverse, Bruce Burstert (private)
Adorn, Bruce Burstert (private)
2014 2014, Bruce Burstert (private)
We are Sorry You are Dust, Please Forgive Us No 2, John Phyaprasert (private)
Haven, John Phyaprasert (private)
2013 Fuoco, UMKC College of Arts & Sciences Dean Wayne Vaught’s office (University loan)
Counter Essence | Contra Essence Collection, Posim Headquarters, Overland Park, KS (business)
Acapella, Stop Hunger Now, July 2013 (charitable donation)
A piacere, Fretta, Sasha Banks (private)
Calando, Eric Pearson (private)
2011 Hemoglobes, Todd Weiner (private)
Beautiful Charity, Tom Ryan (private)
2010 Heart, Formerly Open, (private)
Interviews & Features
2018 Interview, Artspeak Radio, May, September, KKFI 90.1 FM
2017 Interview, Artspeak Radio, January, KKFI 90.1 FM
2016 Interview, Artspeak Radio, October, KKFI 90.1 FM
2015 Interview, “Fearlessness,” Scott Henson, Dir. for KCADC
Interview, Artspeak Radio, April & October, KKFI 90.1FM
2013 KC VOICES, Misterioso, Featured Artist, Whispering Prairie Press (print)
2011 Design Feature, Christel Highland, May Issue, Spaces Magazine (print)
Design Feature, Christel Highland/ Pistol Threads, August Issue, KC Magazine (print)
Featured Artist, November, ArtistInc KC (web)
Office Space: Christel Highland, Artist, December, INK Magazine (print)
Fashion Design by Christel Highland, March, Crossroads Currents (web)
2010 New Boutique”august” to open in Westwood, February, Examiner (web)
Christel Highland’s Biased Line, October, Present Magazine (web), Crossroads Currents (web)
Interview, Wednesday Midday Medley, May, KKFI 90.1FM
2009 Interview, Wednesday Midday Medley, September, KKFI 90.1FM
Skyline Rocks, November, Present Magazine (web)
Education
2017 UMKC, Liberal Arts and Studio Art Graduate
1996-1997 University of Iowa, Dance Studies
1994-1996 Drake University, Theatre, and Journalism Studies
References available upon request.