Royce Deans was born of parents that understood the important role that art plays in society and how crucial exposure to and participation in is to the development of a young person. He was raised in the western suburbs of Chicago with access to museums and concert halls of every variety. Graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago gave him the foundation to build a life in the arts.
“Moving to Traverse City some three decades ago set my art on a wonderful trajectory. I count each artistic endeavor I have embarked on as a rich experience that has shaped the artist I am today. Living in such an incredibly beautiful place, the landscape has, of course, become an overwhelming source of inspiration.
My love for teaching and art has allowed me to travel far and wide. I feel so fortunate that my artwork has made it possible to work in many of the countries of Western Europe and Israel, presenting classes, workshops, and retreats.”
Selected Exhibitions and Lectures:
2023
Spaces Between – Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH – 1-Person show
Guest Artist – Tusen Takk Foundation, Leland, MI – Printmaking Residency
2022
Guest Artist – Miller Beach Arts & Creative District Gary, IN – Printmaking Residency
In the Company of Nature – Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, Gary, IN – 2-Person show
Guest Artist – Tusen Takk Foundation, Leland, MI – Printmaking Residency
2021
Process & Evolution – Old Art Building, Leland, MI – Solo Show
Ann Hall Visiting Artist 2021 – Artist in Residence – Old Art Building, Leland, MI
Inside the Artist’s Mind: Drawings of Mathias Alten – Lecture – Holland Museum, Holland, MI
Royce Deans & Friends – Old Art Building, Leland, MI – Group Show
As I Walk, As I Walk – Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH, Group Show
2020
Ann Hall Visiting Artist 2020 – Artist in Residence – Old Art Building, Leland, MI
The Figure – Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH, Group Show
Painters Printing Monotype Residency – Gardner Center for the Arts, Gary, IN
2019
Figure Show – Water Street Gallery, Douglas, Michigan – Group Gallery Show
NW Michigan Regional Salon des Refusés – Leelanau Studios, Traverse City, Group Show
2018
Figures from Life – BLK MRKT, Traverse City, Solo Exhibition
Pulse – Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH, Group Show
Reconnect – Gardner Center for the Arts, Miller Beach, Gary, IN, Group Show
Royce Deans – Center Gallery, Glen Arbor, MI – Solo Exhibition
Irregular Symmetry of Pattern – Wright Gallery, Northport, MI – Group Gallery Show
Spring Show – Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI – Group Gallery Show
New Gallery/New Work – Glen Arbor Arts Center, Glen Arbor, MI – Invitational Group Show
2017
Here & There – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City – 2 Person Show with Tali Farchi
Painting Leelanau – Old Art Building, Leland, MI – Group Show
Cities, Like Dreams, Swamps Where Cedars Grow – Provincial, Kaleva, MI – Group Show
Landscapes by Royce Deans – Traverse City Country Club, Traverse City, MI – Solo Show
The Art Mixer – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City, MI – Group Show
Classes Taught:
Under the Influence – Self-developed series of online classes
Figure Drawing from the Masters 1, 2, 3, 4 – Online Figure Drawing Class
Interpreting the Landscape – Online Painting Class
Painting the Figure in Gouache Workshop – Palet, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Painting Expressively: Interpreting the Landscape – Old Art Building, Leland, MI
Figure in the Landscape – Glen Arbor Arts Association, Glen Arbor, MI
Painting with Gouache – Palet Zwolle Kunstenaars, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Finding Abstraction in Tel Aviv – ArtisTTable Workshop, Tel Aviv, Israel
Painting Authentic Abstraction – Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City, MI
Painting the Figure in the Landscape – Palet Zwolle Kunstenaars, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Intro to Figure Drawing – Northwest Michigan College Extended Ed., Traverse City, MI
Figure Drawing II – Northwest Michigan College Extended Ed., Traverse City, MI
Painting the Figure Expressively – Royce Deans Studio, Traverse City, MI
Painting with Intention – Royce Deans Studio, Traverse City, MI
Bring Life to Still Life – Royce Deans Studio, Traverse City, MI
Still Life is NOT Dead: Painting in Acrylic, Royce Deans Studio, Traverse City, MI
Plein Air workshops on ArtisTTable Art Retreats
Gallery Representation:
Hudson Gallery – Sylvania, Ohio
Main Street Gallery – Leland, Michigan
AES Gallery – Chicago, Illinois
Royce Deans 