JESSICA VOLPE

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Jessica Volpe is a Canadian artist and illustrator whose colorful, surreal work explores themes of motherhood, childhood, and gender through anthropomorphic animals and dreamlike compositions. Her practice investigates human nature with a balance of whimsy and emotional depth. Based in Toronto, her studio is located in the historic 401 Richmond building, a landmark arts hub in the city. Jessica completed her BFA at Ontario College of Art and Design and went on to study Biology at the Open University of BC.

Jessica has worked with clients including Prince, Crayola Crayons, The Fairmont Hotels, The Bata Shoe Museum, and Sleeman Breweries. In 2023, she was the selected artist-in-residence for the Canadian Bar Association and received the Judges Choice Award at the Uptown Pride exhibition with the Women's Art Association of Canada. Her work has been exhibited across Canada and the United States and is held in both national and international private collections.

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Studio, 2025​

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Richmond Studio (Current)​

 

EDUCATION 

 

B.F.A  Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1998- 2001

 

SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS 

 

2025 Untethered Tales, Solo Exhibition, Ruth Upjohn Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2025 Degrees of Expression, Dignam Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2025 Uptown Pride, Dignam Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2025 Into the Woods, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada 

 

2024 Autumn Reflections, KAS Gallery, King, Ontario, Canada

 

2023 Rooster show, Atomic Rooster, Ottawa, ON, Canada 

 

2023 Vice Versa, Dignam Gallery, Toronto ON, Canada

 

2023 Uptown Pride, Dignam Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2022 Autumn Reflections, KAS Gallery, King, Ontario, Canada

 

2018 Neo Mythology, BG Gallery, Los   Angeles, CA, USA

The 

2018 Zoo-Manity, Art Share LA, Los Angeles, USA

 

2018  LA art show, Hale Arts, Los Angeles, CA, USA

 

2017 Blank Boy Canvas, Chinese Historical Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

 

2016 The Mermaids, La Bodega Gallery, San Diego, CA, USA

 

2015 Blank Boy Canvas, Museo Del Juguete Antiguo, Mexico City, Mexico 

 

2014 The Imp, Solo show, The Tethered Imp Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada 

 

WORK IN PUBLIC SPACES

 

2025 Doors Open Toronto, 401 Richmond, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2024 Richmond FG show, Ottawa ON, Canada

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2023 Toronto Outdoor ArtFair

 

2023 Canadian Bar Association, Artist-in-residence, Toronto Ontario 

 

2022 King Open Studio, King, Ontario

 

2014 Nuit Blanche, Toronto, ON, Canada

 

2014 Bushwick Open Studios, Brooklyn NY, USA

 

 

AWARDS AND  PUBLICATIONS 

 

First Place Judges Choice Award (Women’s Art Association of Canada) 2023

 

Schomberg MSC poster First place  Award, Schomberg ON, Canada, 2024

Featured in MOSAIC Magazine, 2024

 

Hi-Fructose Feature, 2023

 

Best Human-interest Award (KA 2023 Autumn Reflections En plain Air contest)

 

Artist Statement 

 

My paintings grow out of the small, tender moments of motherhood and childhood, the everyday scenes that feel both fleeting and monumental. I reimagine these experiences through animals, bright surreal colour, and dreamlike imagery, letting the ordinary slip into something strange, playful, and unexpected.

 

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