John Sebelius: Biography

John Sebelius is an interdisciplinary artist with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design. His work has been prominently featured in notable publications such as Harper’s, Express, DETAILS, Review, CNN, Aspen Daily News, The Washington Post, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sebelius has exhibited his artwork in various esteemed venues, including Gallery Two in Sydney, Australia, Woods-Gerry Gallery in Providence, RI, Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka, KS, Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT, Kansas City Artists Coalition, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He also had a solo exhibition at the Gonzo Museum in Aspen, CO. Additionally, Sebelius’s short documentaries have been screened at prestigious events like the Austin Film Festival, Tallgrass Film Festival, Virginia Film Festival, Free State Film Festival, and The American School of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The citizens of Lawrence, KS recognized him as the Best Artist of 2022, and The Kansas City Chiefs selected him as the featured artist for My Cause, My Cleats in both 2018 and 2019. Sebelius established the Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative in 2016, an art program designed for veterans who have experienced military-related trauma. This innovative initiative has been implemented at various locations, including the West Los Angeles VA Hospital in CA, Osawatomie State Hospital in KS, Lawrence College and Career Academy, the Stress Disorder Treatment Program at Colmery-O’Neil VA Hospital in Topeka, KS, Bert Nash Mental Health Center in Lawrence, KS, First Step at Lake View (DCCCA Women Treatment Facility in Lawrence, KS), VFW Post 1650 in Topeka, KS, and Warriors’ Ascent in Kansas City, MO. The program was awarded an ARPA Grant in 2022, alongside Rocket Grants from the Spencer Museum, Charlotte Street Foundation, and Andy Warhol Foundation of Visual Art in 2018, as well as TOPArts Grants from ARTSConnect in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Currently, Sebelius is serving as the Artist-In-Residence at the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the University of Kansas and resides in Lawrence, KS with his wife Allie, their daughter Monroe, and son Leonardo.

For commission requests, please email: johnsebelius@gmail.com