I’m endlessly curious about how colors get along, or don’t. More often they don’t—at least initially. But built up over time these individual hues learn to live together. As a painting matures, certain color relationships become gathering places for beauty while at the same time leaving indications of the painting’s history underneath. Whether compositions include specific subject matter or not, these color relationships remain the primary organizing element of my painting and my most important fascination.

I invite you to follow my process on Instagram: @tonysobota

EXHIBITIONS

2022
Blocked, American Artisan Festival, Nashville, TN
2021
On Grid, The Teenyssee Gallery, Knoxville, TN, solo
5th + Broad, Artfields, Lake City, SC, group
Animal, Striped Light, Knoxville, TN, group
2020
The Art of Construction, Series IV, ARTCLECTIC, Nashville, TN, group
The Art of Construction, Series III, The Rockwall Gallery, Nashville, TN,group
2019
The Art of Construction, Series III, The Rockwall Gallery, Nashville, TN, group
Here/Now - Painting Nashville, The Browsing Room Gallery, Nashville, TN, group
2018
Building Blocks, The Harding Arts Show, Nashville, TN, group
Envision Nolensville Pike, Abrasive Media, Nashville, TN, group
The Art of Construction Series II, The Arts Company, Nashville, TN, solo
2017
Of Things to Come, The Arts Company, Nashville, TN, group
100 Caricatures of Cervantes, Quevedo Institute of Humor, Madrid, Spain, group
2016
The Art of Construction, The Village Chapel Gallery, Nashville, TN, solo
I Want to See What You See, Pellissippi State Community College Library Gallery,
Knoxville, TN, solo
2015
MAP, Emporium Center, Knoxville, TN, group
17th Street Studios, Emporium Center, Knoxville, TN, group
New Group Exhibition, Emporium Center, Knoxville, TN, group
2014
Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Bagwell Gallery, PSTCC, Knoxville, TN, group
2013
Icons, The Square Room, Knoxville, TN, group
2012
Windows to the West, Remedy Coffee, Knoxville, TN, solo
2010
Syn/Kronos, Oodles Café and Café 4 Mezzanine, Knoxville, TN, solo
Easter Stories and Songs, (traveling exhibit), solo

PRESS

2020
Television Broadcast - April 29, 2020: Free legal support, funds offered to Nashville artists needing help by Matthew Torres
2019
Presenter: Pechakucha Nashville Volume 33 - The Frist Art Museum
Web Article: Nashville Public Radio. Nashville's Newest Mural is Colorful, Intricate, and Uniquely Kurdish by Emily Siner.
Web Article: Urban Land Institute. Preserving Nashville's "Little Kurdistan" by Natalie Khairallah.
2018
Presenter: Pechakucha Nashville Volume 30, WELD Nashville
Magazine Article - June 2018, Nashville Arts Magazine, Finding Words by Tony Sobota
2017
Web Article - January 9, 2017: God in the Process, Foundlinghouse.com
2015
Web Contributor - The Art Career Project: How to Become a Caricaturist
Web Interview - May 7, 2015: ISCAST Caricature Podcast with Nolan Harris
Web Interview - February 25, 2015: It's Supposed to Be Funny with Ali Thome
News Article - January 14, 2015: The Power of Seven by Carol Shane, Shopper News,
Knoxville, TN.
2014
Television Broadcast - February 24, 2014: The Tennessee Traveler: Caricature
Artist by Alan Williams
News Article - January 18, 2014: The Art of Sobota by Jessica Brown Knoxville News
Sentinel, Knoxville, TN.

AWARDS
2022
American Artisan Festival Nashville, TN:
Best in Show
2019
International Society of Caricature Artists Convention, Memphis, TN:
1st Place, Black and White Technique
2018
Nashville MetroArts "40 for 40" Purchase Award: Selected Artist
Nashville MetroArts Envision Nolensville Pike Streetscapes Project: Selected Artist
2017
Nashville Arts and Business Council Periscope Program:
Pitch Perfect Award (Top Honors)
Envision Nolensville Pike Creative Placemaking Grant
2014
International Society for Caricature Artists Convention, Reno, NV:
1st place, Black and White Technique
3rd Place, Caricature of the Year
7th Place, Caricaturist of the Year

TEACHING
2010-2015 Master Class, Community School of the Arts, Knoxville, TN
2007-2015 Guest Presenter, Knoxville Christian Academy, Knoxville, TN and
Thursday Connection Co-Op, Knoxville, TN

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2016-present Nashville Creative Group and The Nashville Arts and Business Council
2011-present The International Society for Caricature Artists
2013-2015 The Arts and Cultural Alliance, Knoxville, TN
2014-2015 The 17th Street Studios Artist Collective, Knoxville, TN

EDUCATION
2013-2014 Drawing and Painting Independent Study: Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, TN
2014 Sean Cheetham Workshop: LA Academy of Figurative Art, Los Angeles, CA
2011 Nathan Fowkes Workshop: LA Academy of Figurative Art, Los Angeles, CA