Kevin James Wilson loves to create fine art. He hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he was awarded a full scholarship. While at RISD, Kevin served on Admissions Committee, Graduation Honors Committee, President of the Third World Coalition of Artists, and Chairman of Entertainment as a member of the Student Board. It was also at RISD that Kevin was contracted to execute a portrait of Muhammad Ali for the
International Year of the Child. Kevin presented the portrait to Mr. Ali at the world famous Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. While attending RISD, Kevin was also accepted to The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit in New York City. In the exhibit’s 97 year history, he was the youngest artist ever accepted to the exhibition.
After his college graduation, Kevin worked professionally in Indianapolis from 1981 until moving to Las Vegas in 1998. In Indianapolis Kevin executed murals, for the world’s largest Children’s Museum, The Indianapolis Fire Department and J.C. Penneys, just to name a few. He also mastered airbrush, and taught it along with drawing at the Indianapolis Art Center for twelve years. He has been accepted to every major art exhibition in Indiana including The Penrod Arts Fair, The Talbot Street Art Fair, The Hoosier Salon, Indiana Black Expo, and the Indiana State Fair. His work was also accepted at the Alliance Rental Gallery in The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
While in Las Vegas, Kevin exhibited his artwork in Caesar’s Palace. He also was a finalist in a national competetion with Chrysler Corporation that led him to seriously pursue his fine arts. He moved back to Indianapolis in 2002 to raise his two daughters and Kevin was also awarded one man exhibitions at the Circle theater in Indianapolis, the Schrott Center at Butler University and The Harrison Center. He also had his artwork accepted at the Black Creativity Exhibition in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois. He was offered his previous position as the Graphic Design Program Manager at International Business College in Indiana.
In 2020 Kevin was voted in to the prestigious Indiana Artist Club, and in 2022 was elected President of the 120 member organization. Kevin continues to enter completions and exhibitions. He was given a lifetime achievement award from The Central Library’s Meet the Artists Exhibition. He was asked to be one of ten artists to produce a painting celebrating 100 years of Indy Parks, in Indianapolis. He had two pieces accepted to the 50th anniversary celebration of Clowes Hall at Butler University, and was one of thirty-three artists who created artwork for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race. One of his latest achievements was having his artwork circulated on a billboard throughout Indianapolis for a year. He was also awarded the Peoples’ Choice Award for this accomplishment out of the other nine artists.
Kevin’s services as an artist have included illustration, graphic design, art direction, murals, portraits, still life, figure drawing, body painting, fine art, computer graphics, workshops, teaching, storyboards, exhibitions and demonstrations. His real passion is fine art, including portraits, murals and especially drawings.
