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Kimberly Joy Trathen

Currently lives and works in Thomas, WV


kimberly@backstitched.com
www.kjoytrathen.com, www.gradientprojects.org


Kimberly Joy Trathen is a visual artist working primarily in textile and fiber mediums. She runs a solo design studio – Backstitched Design and co-runs two artistic initiatives: Gradient Projects – an artist-run project, exhibition and performance space and Invisible, an artist-run art gallery and studio in Thomas, WV.

Exhibitions

2026 Upcoming Solo exhibition, Lost River Trading Post, Wardensville, WV
2026 Solo exhibition “Line 81 – On Finding a Through Line” Clay Center, Charleston, WV
2025 Pop Up of a New Collection of Bags – Portal Gallery, Thomas, WV
2025 Group exhibition “Juliet Art Museum Invitational” – Clay Center, Charleston, WV
2025 Solo exhibition “Quilt selections” Tiptop Coffee, Thomas, WV
2025 Solo exhibition “groundwork” – Invisible Gallery & Studio, Thomas, WV, featured artist of the annual ArtSpringFestival in Tucker County
2024 Group exhibition “On the Color of Distance” – Gradient Project Space, Thomas, WV
2024 Solo exhibition “Selection of Geometric Drawings” – Commonplace Coffee, Pittsburgh, PA
2023 Group exhibition “23rd Biennial West Virginia Juried Exhibition” – West Virginia Cultural Center, Charleston, WV
2023 Group exhibition “How Close is that to Richmond” – School of Art & Design, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
2023 Group exhibition “Crosscurrents” – Stifel Fine Arts Center, Wheeling, WV
2023 Group exhibition “Tiny City Works” – Love Hope Center for the Arts, Fayetteville, WV
2022 Group exhibition “Juliet Art Museum Invitational” – Clay Center, Charleston, WV
2022 Solo exhibition “Ravel . Unravel” – Gradient Project Space, Thomas, WV
2021Group exhibition “ Tiny Trifecta 4” – 2nd Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA
2021Group exhibition “Tiny City Works” – Ice House Gallery, Berkley Springs, WV
2020 Group exhibition “Building” – Various galleries, Thomas WV
2020 Work published in Gallery 35 in West Virginia Art Works Magazine
2019 Group exhibition “Works in Progress” – Off-white Studios, Thomas, WV
2019 Group exhibition “In Solidarity” – Off-white Studios, Thomas, WV
2018 Solo exhibition “Dutchman’s Puzzle” – Gradient Project Space, Thomas, WV
2018 Solo exhibition “Dutchman’s Puzzle” – Apartment Earth, Charleston, WV
2018 Group exhibition “Home makers” – Sleeth Gallery, Buckhannon, WV
2018 Group Exhibition: Tamarack Foundation Showcase – Federal Court House, Charleston, WV
2017 Group exhibition “Snap, Crackle, Pop” – Apartment Earth, Charleston, WV
2017 Solo exhibition “Selected works” – La Vitrine, Brussels, Belgium
2017 Group exhibition “Art |Green| Design” – Headley Whitney Museum, Lexington, KY
2016 Solo exhibition Selected works from “Abstract Histories” – Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg, WV 
2015-16 Solo exhibition “Abstract Histories” – Buxton and Landstreet Gallery, Thomas, WV
2015 Solo exhibition “Abstract Histories” – White Room, Thomas, WV 
2014 Group exhibition “Myth” – White Room Art Gallery, Thomas, WV
2013 Group exhibition “In the Cave” – The Room Gallery, Rome, Italy


Residencies

2026 Juliet Art Museum Artist Residency Fellow, Charleston, WV
2024 Tabby Studios Residency Fellow, Canton, NC
2020 New River Gorge Create Residency Fellow, Fayetteville, WV

Education


2013 – 2018 Studied under: Eric Beauduin (Fashion Designer, Tailor, and Master Bag Designer)- Brussels, Belgium
2005 – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – MA Culture and Development Studies
Areas of focus: Consumption patterns and Ecological Development
2002 – Michigan State University – BA Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Music & Anthropology, Minor in French language.