Biography:

Julia L. Kay was born and raised in New York City. The summer before second grade, her family visited San Francisco, and she knew immediately that she wanted to live in the Bay Area. Before she was free to move West, however, she needed to see to her education, so she finger-painted her way up through the grades, attended the High School of Music and Art in NYC, received her BA in Photography from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and did graduate work at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. Finally, she came out to California and settled in sunny West Oakland, where she lived for 12 years before moving to San Francisco.

Julia’s images of people, plants and animals distorted through the funhouse mirror of her imagination have been shown in New York, Connecticut, Maryland, San Francisco, around the East Bay, and on the internet. Her work has won local competitions and a mural commission.

Activity:

SOLO SHOWS

2002
The Dogs at Bisco’s, Bisco’s Cafe, Emeryville, CA
Sun Dances With Monstera and Me, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA

2001
The Dogs on Broadway, Artship, Oakland, CA
A Cat Among Dogs, Animal Arts Gallery, Menlo Park, CA

1998
Portraits, International Avenue, Oakland, CA

1997
That Little Doggie, Storefront, College & Broadway, Oakland, CA

1994
Do Not Be Disturbed: Paintings & Photographs by Julia Kay, Fitlab, Albany, CA

1992
Julia L. Kay: Photographs, 101 Karl Street, San Francisco, CA

1991
Julia L. Kay: Drawings, Viewpoint Gallery, Oakland, CA
Portraits by Julia L. Kay, UFN West, San Francisco, CA

SELECTED GROUP SHOWS

2002
Dog Days of Summer (Including Cats), Zenith Gallery, Washington DC
Emeryville Celebration of the Arts, Emeryville, CA
Trash To Treasures, East Bay Depot for Creative Re-use, Oakland, CA

2001
Arts of Vulcan, The Crucible, Berkeley, CA
Port Fest Artist Showcase, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
Zonguldak, Alice Arts Center, Oakland, CA

2000
Gallery Artists, Wildwood Farms Sculpture Garden, Glen Ellen, CA

1998
The 14th Annual Juried Show, The Coastal Arts League Museum, Half Moon Bay, CA

1997
Napkin Art Competition Winners, Mama’s Royal Cafe, Oakland, CA

1996
Art Reach, Dean’s Beans Coffee Roastary & Art Gallery, San Leandro, CA

1995
Urban Visions, Somar Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Through the Door, PRSG Annual Exhibit, Juried by Marian Parmenter
Contract Design Center, San Francisco, CA

1994, ongoing
Women in Art Make the Difference (Mural Installation), 520 Harlan St, San Leandro, CA

1993
Fovea Presents, Kaiser Center, Oakland, CA
UCSF Faculty / Staff Show, Milberry Union Conference Center, San Francisco, CA
Visiting Artists, Water’s Edge, Alameda, CA

COMMISSIONS, PRIZES AND PUBLICATIONS

2002
Private Commission
Portrait of Winnie (24’ X 30’)

2001
Artworks Published
Milvia Street Art & Literary Journal, 2001

1999
Private Commission
Portrait of Ruby & Ringo (4.5' X 8')

1998
Private Commission
Cave Canem (8' X 32' outdoor mural at 55th Street & Shattuck Avenue) Oakland, CA

1997
First Prize Winner
Mama’s Royal Cafe Napkin Art Contest, Oakland, CA

1996
Private Commission
Portrait of Huey P. Newton (7’ X 5’)

1996
Artworks Published
Sinclair, Carla; NetChick: A Smart-Girl Guide to the Wired World
Henry Holt & Company, New York (P. 115)

TEACHING AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ARTS EXPERIENCE

2001
Guest Lecturer, Tuesday Art Series, Oakland, CA

1992-1999
Photographer, International Scholars Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

1984
Special Instructor of Photography, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

TRAVELS

1982 - 2003
Austria, Canada, England, France, Greece, Holland, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad, Turkey, USA, Yugoslavia