Biography
Jesse Blumenthal is an internationally exhibited, museum collected Artist and Educator residing in Missoula, Montana. The high mountains of Southwestern Colorado were home base for both studio and community based art practices, rooted in the industrial arts, for almost a decade before moving to Montana in 2016. Their studio work has been shown in nine solo exhibitions, dozens of group shows and as many residencies across the US and Canada. In 2022 Blumenthal's solo exhibition “Endemic” was shown at Holter Museum of Art in Helena, MT. “Bicycle as a Megaphone” will open in July of 2025 at Palace Gallery in Ellensburg, WA.
Through educational opportunities presented by working in industrial materials in a community forward environment, Blumenthal has broadened the reach and accessibility of their practice. Their community educational practice has been awarded eight separate Montana Arts Council Grants and multiple residencies in Missoula, Mt and Gunnison, CO County Public Schools. They are currently a Teaching Artist with Spark Arts Integration and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in The School of Visual Arts and Media at The University of Montana. Blumenthal was raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, attended University of Massachusetts at Amherst for a BFA in Painting in 2007, and completed MFA graduate work at The University of Montana in 2019.
Jesse Blumenthal’s work reflects on time and space as place through intermedia sculptural, sonic, and video Art. Recent works involving assortments of consumer technology in sculptural arrangements are partially influenced by “Bitcore” philosophy and aesthetic; legacy technology serves as a stand-in for our contemporary anxieties towards the growing autonomy of the tech landscape. By integrating digital techniques with traditional sculptural methods, "Bitcore" embraces a hybrid practice that democratizes art-making and fosters community engagement. Jesse’s commitment to inclusivity reflects contemporary political and social themes, allowing for a richer dialogue within the artistic sphere.
Living outside of major cities and established art markets offers artists like Jesse the opportunity to cultivate deeply rooted community-based practices that resonate with local narratives and experiences. In the Intermountain West, this geographic context fosters a unique artistic dialogue that reflects the region's cultural, economic, and environmental complexities. By engaging directly with their surroundings and collaborating with community members, artists can create work that is not only reflective of their environment but also responsive to the needs and stories of the people within it. This localized approach encourages a sense of belonging and shared purpose; these practices enrich the broader conversation about art’s role in society, emphasizing the value of place, participation, and collaboration in shaping both individual and collective identities.