CV

Sarah Vanasse Miles

 

Lives and works in Rochester, MN

 

Education

2010-2013 BA Religious Studies- Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, MN 

2015-2017 MA Social Justice and Ethics- Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO

 

Grants and Awards

Oct. 2024-Oct. 2025 Emerging Artist Grant Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. Project Title: Chiaroscuro Chronicles 

Sept. 2024 1st Place Professional Med City Art Festival, Gallery 24, Rochester, MN  

Painting Competition Our Lady of Creative Elements (2023) Oil on Canvas

Sept. 2024 1st Place Plein Air Med City Art Festival, Gallery 24, Rochester, MN

Painting Competition Benches in the Peace Plaza (2024) Oil on Panel

Aug. 2023 Grand Champion Martin County Fair, Fairmont, MN

1st Place Painting Our Lady of Creative Elements (2023) 

Oil on Canvas in Handmade Walnut Wood Frame

30” by 40” canvas/ 40” by 50” with frame

Aug. 2022 1st Place Painting Martin County Fair, Fairmont, MN 

Hayward Landscape (2022), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10”

Aug. 2022 1st Place Drawing Martin County Fair, Fairmont, MN

198 Kent Street (2022), Graphite on Paper, 12” by 16”

Aug. 2021 Reserve Grand Champion Martin County Fair, Fairmont, MN 

1st Place Painting Miles’ Farm (2021), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12”

 

Solo Exhibitions

Feb. 14 - Mar. 31, 2023 Red Rock Center for the Arts, Fairmont, MN

Self-Curated

Titles of Works Showcased:

Rose Lake Landscape (2022), Oil on Canvas, 6” by 16”

Peonies I (2022), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10”

Peonies III (2022), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10” 

Self-Portrait (2023), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10”

Portrait of the Artist’s Mother (2023), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10” 

Backyard Landscape (2023), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10” 

Portrait of Micah (2022), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12” 

Country Porch (2023), Oil on Canvas, 11” by 14” 

Abstract Flower Bouquet (2018), Oil on Canvas; 11” by 14”

Hayward Landscape (2022), Oil on Canvas, 8” by 10” 

Dead Beets (2019), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12” 

Micah, Pepper, and Plants (2022), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12”

Portrait of Callie (2022), Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20”

Landscape with Peonies (2022), Oil on Wood, 3.5” by 15”

Stone Arch Bridge (2022), Oil on Canvas Panel, 4” by 6”

Minneapolis Skyline (2022), Oil on Canvas Panel, 4” by 6”

Vauvenargues Landscape I (2022), Watercolor on Paper 5” by 7”

198 Kent Street (2022), Graphite on Paper 12” by 15”

Rose & Eucalyptus Bouquet (2022), Graphite on Paper, 5” by 7”

Harvest (2022), Graphite on Paper, 5” by 7”

Vauvenargues Landscape II  (2022), Graphite on Paper 5” by 7”

Airbnb Chair (2020), Graphite on Paper, 8.5” by 11”

Angel of Guadalajara (2017), Graphite on Paper, 8.5” by 11”

Self-Portrait (2016), Ink on Paper, 8” by 10”

Value Still Life (2022), Ink on Paper, 15” by 21”

Trinity (2020), Ink on Paper, 8.5” by 11” 

Abstract Expressionism I (2020), Pastel on Paper, 5” by 7”

Abstract Expressionism II (2020), Pastel on Paper, 5” by 7”

Drip Couple (2019), Pastel on Paper, 7” by 10” 

Hayward Landscape (2022), Pastel on Paper, 8.5” by 11” 

Paper Bags Still Life (2022), Charcoal on Paper, 15” by 10”

May 2024- Jan. 2025 Urban Forage Winery & Cider House Minneapolis, MN

Self-curated, upscale urban taproom displaying original drawings, 

and reproductions by Sarah Vanasse Miles. 

Titles of Original Works Showcased:

Urban Forage I (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Urban Forage II (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Urban Forage II (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Bar-bie I (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Bar-bie II (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Paris Wine Café I (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Paris Wine Café II (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Book Club (2024), Pastel on Paper, 8” by 10”

Country Porch (2023), Oil on Canvas, 11” by 14”

Plein air with Peoinies (2024), Oil on Panel, 5” by 7” 

Soccer (2023), Acrylic on Paper, 5” by 7”

 

Group Exhibitions

Aug. 10 - Nov. 7, 2024 Med City Art Festival

Gallery 24, Rochester, MN 

Title of Work Showcased:

Benches in the Peace Plaza (2024) Oil on Panel

Our Lady of Creative Elements (2023) Oil on Canvas

Jul. 15 - Aug. 18, 2023 C4W: 2023 The Periphery of Power

Curated by Esther Callahan. 

Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

Title of Work Showcased:

Embrace (2022), Oil on Canvas, 24” by 30”; Handmade Pine Frame by Jeff Vanasse measures 29.5” by 35.5”  

Chosen as one of the 44 artists of 254 applicants. Embrace was selected as one of 45 artworks from the 1076 submitted as a “vehicle of agency and power.” Embrace was praised by mplsart.com in their review of the show (see below press section for citation). 

Apr. 21- Apr. 30, 2023 Bohemian

Van Der Plas Gallery, New York City, NY 

Title of Work Showcased:

Dead Beets (2019), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12”

Nov. 15-Dec. 31, 2019 Art Crawl Hangover

Curated by Alex Narva

Narva Gallery, Saint Paul, MN 

Titles of Works Showcased:

Dead Beets (2019), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12”

Chair Lady (2019), Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20”

Oct. 27- Nov. 30, 2018 Annual Halloween Show

Curated by Murphy Sikkila 

410 Project, Mankato, MN 

Titles of Works Showcased:

Three of Swords (2018), Oil on Canvas, 20” by 30”  

Green Lady (2018), Oil on Canvas, 20” by 20”

Self Portrait with Knife (2017), Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20” 

 

Commissions for Personal Collections

Dec. 2024 Portrait of Emma, Oil on Canvas Panel, 5” by 7” 

Nov. 2022 Portrait of Dog, Oil on Canvas Panel, 8” by 10”

Oct. 2022 Portrait of Mr. Fox, Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20”

Jun. 2022 Cityscape of Minneapolis, Oil on Canvas Panel, 5” by 7”

Jul. 2021 Miles’ Farm (2021), Oil on Canvas, 12” by 12”

 

Vendor and Craft Markets

May 17-19, 2024 Art-A-Whirl, Art Vendor at Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN

Dec. - Jan. 2024 Threshold Arts, Artist in Storefront Gallery, Rochester, MN  

Oct. 6-8, 2023 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Union Depo, Saint Paul, MN   

Jun. 10, 2023 Interlaken Days, Gomsrud Park, Fairmont, MN

May 19-21, 2023 Art-A-Whirl, Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN

May 5-7, 2023 Saint Paul Art Crawl, 967 Payne Studio, Saint Paul, MN

Apr. 28-30, 2023 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN 

Apr. 14-16,  2023 Saint Paul Art Crawl, F.O.K. Studio, Saint Paul, MN

Dec. 10-11, 2022 Holiday Pop-Up Market, 967 Payne Studio, Saint Paul MN 

Oct. 14-16, 2022 Saint Paul Art Crawl, F.O.K. Studio, Saint Paul, MN

Oct. 7-9, 2022 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Union Depo, Saint Paul, MN 

May 13-15, 2022 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN

Apr. 29 -May 1, 2022 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Fridli Art Gallery, Saint Paul, MN

Apr. 22-24, 2022 Saint Paul Art Crawl, House of Heart Gallery, Saint Paul, MN

Oct. 18-20, 2019 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Tilsner Artist Lofts, Saint Paul, MN

Apr. 26-28, 2019 Saint Paul Art Crawl, Tilsner Artist Lofts, Saint Paul, MN

Feb. 6, 2019 Raw Artist Showcase, The Pourhouse, Minneapolis, MN 

 

Public Art

May 11 2023 Going Hog Wild in Martin County

Fairmont, MN

Sponsored by Kahler Automation
Otto Mater,  2’ by 4’by 1’ (3D full coverage), Acrylic on Cement Pig Statue 

Aug. 15 2023 Going Hog Wild in Martin County

Fairmont, MN 

Sponsored by Becker Financial Group

Penny Pincher, 2’ by 4’ by 1’ (3D full coverage), Acrylic on Cement Pig Statue

 

Works in Progress and Upcoming Shows

Oct. 1, 2024- Oct. 1, 2025 Chiaroscuro Chronicles: Reinterpreting Narratives of Antiquity 

through Film Aesthetics

I will embark on creating 12 paintings that explore chiaroscuro's role in contemporary oil painting. I intend to reinterpret classical Italian Renaissance narratives of antiquity within a modern American context. Through this project, I aim to refine my skills and artistic style, build a cohesive body of work, gain experience in exhibiting art, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue between art history and contemporary practice. The project will feature 6 oil paintings sized at 24" x 32" and 6 at 16" x 20", each narratively driven by timeless parables. I will emphasize the dramatic lighting characteristic of classical chiaroscuro and draw parallels with the high-contrast lighting techniques prominent in 1940s cinema. I plan to complete one oil painting approximately every month, following a process that includes canvas preparation, underpainting, glazing, varnishing, framing, and exhibition. This grant aligns seamlessly with my daily art practice. Having recently completed two paintings of similar scale and quality within 120 hours, I am confident in the feasibility of this timeline. Additionally, I will allocate time to organize a compelling capstone event to showcase the culmination of this project and plan a way to measure its impact on the students of Rochester Beacon Academy with teachers and staff. 

 

Feb. 24, 2024 - Present Cell Block I

A project of production in isolation. Inspired by Exorcism 

of the Last Painting I Ever Made by Tracy Emin, Sarah Vanasse Miles 

confines herself to her studio for 30 hours every weekend until 6 paintings are completed. The paintings are all based upon the artist’s wedding and feelings on marriage. The artworks are:

The Covenant, Oil on Canvas, 24” by 36”

The Three Graces, Oil on Canvas, 24” by 30”

Emily and Emilee, Oil on Canvas, 24” by 30”

The Miles Family, Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20”

The Vanasse Family, Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20”

The Wedding Dance, Oil on Canvas, 18” by 24”

Upcoming Commission for Private Collection

198 Kent Street, Oil on Canvas, 16” by 20” 

 

Press Print Articles

The Art Edit. (2023, August). House & Garden, pp. 148.

Wohlrabe, B. (2023, February 13). Vanasse Brings Artwork Home. Sentinel, pp. 1,3. 

              

Press Online Articles

Alvarez, M. (2024, February 27). Meet Sarah Vanasse Miles. Bold Journey. https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-sarah-vanasse-miles/ 

Camila, S. (2023, November 6). Meet Sarah Vanasse Miles. Canvas Rebel. https://canvasrebel.com/meet-sarah-vanasse-miles/ 

White, R. (2023, July 31). Worth a look: The Periphery of Power at Gamut Gallery. MPLSART.COM.

https://www.mplsart.com/written/2023/08/worth-a-look-the-periphery-of-power-at-gamut-gallery 

Check Out Sarah Vanasse Miles’s Story. Voyage Minnesota. (2023, March 16). https://voyageminnesota.com/interview/check-out-sarah-vanasse-miless-story/ 

Wohlrabe, B. (2023, February 13). Vanasse brings artwork home. fairmontsentinel.com. https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/news/local-news/2023/02/13/vanasse-brings-art-work-home/ 

 

Workshops and Skill Development

Jan.- May 2022 Basic Drawing. The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, Minneapolis, MN Mar. 14-18, 2022 Figure Drawing. The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, Minneapolis, MN 

Mar. 5-6, 2022 Winter Plein Air. The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, Minneapolis, MN

Mar. 4, 2022 Michael Chelich: Part 1- The Elements of Art and The Principles of 

Composition. The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, Minneapolis, MN