About Jan...Jan Flapan, Artist Extraordinaire

"My work is inspired by everyday life….the beauty of a flower, the light in a landscape, interesting city shapes.…. and by the political and social issues 

that affect our lives." 

In addition to watercolor and mixed media, Jan has worked with oil, acrylic and stained glass.  Recent work includes collages and monotype prints

using watercolor, acrylics and ink.  

Jan has traveled extensively in the United States and other countries. Photos and sketches help her capture a particular scene and trigger the memory and

emotion of that place and experience when she returns to her studio.   Jan's paintings, drawings and stained glass windows are in over 100 private

and corporate collections in the Chicago area, throughout the United States, and in Brazil.

Professional and Volunteer Work

Jan has recently focused on making art, after an active life of raising children, working and volunteering.  She is a former art teacher, copywriter and executive director of a small social service agency. Besides painting and drawing, her passion is to help others become politically empowered.  While she served on many boards over the years, her primary volunteer activity has been with the League of Women Voters.  She was the president of the Illinois League and served on the national League's board of directors http://www.lwv.org/   

Selected Exhibitions

2022  In Full Bloom, McCord Gallery, Palos Park, IL (jurIed)
2020-2022 Virtual Exhibitions at Palette and Chisel and Chicago Women's Caucus for Art
2019 Watermedia Expressions Showcase, Chicago
2018 Families, Lincolnwood Village Hall, Lincolnwood (jurIed)
2018 Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists, Chicago (juried)
2017 As You Like It Gallery, Evanston (jurIed)
2016-2017 Small Works, Chicago Alliance for Visual Arts (juried)
2016-2017 Small Treasures, Women’s Caucus for Art, Chicago
2016 Brush with Nature, Emily Oaks Nature Center, Skokie, IL  (juried)
2015 Noyes Cultural Center, Evanston, IL  (juried)
2015 Watermedia Expressions, Chicago

2013-2014 Wilmette Public Library Annual Show (juried)

2012 Northern Trust Bank, Chicago Women's Caucus for Art

2011 We Are the Artful Network, Chicago Women's Caucus for Art

2009 Watercolor and More, Palette and Chisel, Chicago

2009 SAN Members' Show, Glessner House, Chicago

2008 Art Speaks, Beverly Art Center, Chicago (juried)

2007 Orland Park Library (solo, invited)

2007 Watercolor and More, Palette and Chisel, Chicago

2006 Chicago Artists’ Coalition Open

2006 Indigo Clothing Store, Highland Park, IL (solo, invited) 
2005 Executive Service Corps of Chicago (solo, invited) 

2005 Annual Members’ Show, Woman Made Gallery (jurIed)

2005 Wilmette Public Library Annual Show (juried)

Affiliations

Palette and Chisel Academy of Art, a not-for-profit organization 
supporting artists in the Chicago area.
Woman Made Gallery, a not-for-profit organization supporting 
women artists.
Chicago Artists Coalition, a coalition of visual artists and friends 
brought together by a recognition of four basic needs: education, 

advocacy, provision of professional and educational services, 
and improvement of the environment in which artists work.


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