2024
Drawing 1 and Art History Survey 2. Adjunct Instructor,
Pellissippi State Community College.  Knoxville, TN. August 2023 - present.

Two Dimensional Design, Drawing 1 & 2, and Art Appreciation. Adjunct Instructor,
Nashville State Community College.  Nashville, TN. January 2010 - present

Art Appreciation (online & on-ground) and Three Dimensional Design, Adjunct Instructor,
Volunteer State Community College. Gallatin, TN. August 2010 - present.

Proprietor of “Jake Wells Paintings,” small business making, promoting, and selling my artwork.  March 2006 – present.

2020
Library Associate 1. Nashville Public Library. Nashville, TN. June 2017 to November.

2017
Design & Color Fundamentals 1 & 2, and Basic Drawing. Adjunct Lecturer II,
O’More College of Design, Franklin, TN. January 2015 - May 2017.

2010
Painting Instructor,  Main Street Arts, Pleasant View, TN.  May 2010 – April 2011.
Camp Conselor, Camp Idyllwild, Duck River, TN.  March to August.

2009
Tutor, Cool Kids Learn, Lakeview Design Center, Nashville, TN.  December 2009 to May 2010.
Introduction to Painting, Instructor, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C)  January – May.

2008
Beginning Digital Art, Instructor, SIU-C. July 2008 - July 2009

2007
Studio Tech for painting Professor Ed Shay at SIU-C. August 2007 - May 2009
Introduction to Drawing 2, Instructor, SIU-C. January 2007 - May 2008

2006
Introduction to Drawing 1, Instructor, SIU-C. August 2006 - May 2007
Introduction to Visual Culture, Instructor, SIU-C. Fall 2006

2002
Photographer & Web Maintenance, University Relations. August 2002 to August 2006.

2001
Studio Tech, Sculpture/Art Education professor at Southeast Missouri State University. October 2001 to May 2002.

2000
Darkroom worker and Photographer’s assistant November. 2000 to October 2001.

1999
University Center Tech. August 1999 to May 2000.

2019
Eastside Station, Nashville, TN

2018
Arts in the Airport. Nashville International Airport, TN

2016
Jack Yacoubian Fine Jewelry and Art Gallery, Franklin, TN

2015
“Shelby at Dusk,”  Refinery Nashville, Nashville, TN
Hotel Indigo, Nashville, TN

2014
“Shelby at Dusk,”  Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, Nashville, TN
Werthan Lofts, Nashville, TN
“Upcycled,”  Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN

2012
Recent Works, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Nashville, TN
Freiezo: Wind Energy Solutions, Saint Peters, MO

2010
“to ply,”  MIR Gallery,  Nashville, TN

2009
"Strata" MFA Thesis Exhibition, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL

2008
Jake L. Wells & Jake K. Wells, Gallery 100, Cape Girardeau, MO

2007
"Lintscapes," Vergette Gallery, Carbondale, IL

2006
Sidewalk Sandwich Co., Cape Girardeau, MO
Fountain St. Gallery, Cape Girardeau, MO

2005
Shawnee Community College, Anna, IL

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024
Jake Wells & Jym Davis, Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
“Torn Affections”, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN

2023
“Paintings from the Field”, Studio Break Gallery, West Chicago, IL
Artists of Turnip Green, Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective, Warner Parks Nature Center, Nashville, TN

2022
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 6th Annual Exhibit , Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
"The Encore", Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Artists of Turnip Green, Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
"Together", Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
"Artists of Turnip Green", Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN

2021
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 6th Annual Exhibit , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
"Under One Roof", Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
"40/60*", Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
"Memorial, Monument, Movement", Art Against Racism, Princeton, online exhibition
"Recollection", Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN
Open Group Show, Fountain City Art Center, Fountain City, TN

2020
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 5th Annual Exhibit , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
“Hindsight is 2020,” Centennial Art Center Gallery, Nashville, TN

2019
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 5th Annual Exhibit, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
ARTstronomy Project, Adventure Science Center, Nashville, TN
Eastside Station, Nashville, TN
                                             
2018
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Scarecrows! Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin & Cookeville campuses, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 4th Annual Exhibit, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Eastside Station, Nashville, TN
“Celebrate eARTh,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Paper in Particular, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN

2017
Hermitage branch library, Hermitage, TN
Reduce, Reuse, Repeat: silent auction/fundraiser , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Nashville Collage Collective 3rd Annual Exhibit , Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
“Celebrate eARTh,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN

2016
Nashville Collage Collective 2nd Annual Exhibit, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
“Celebrate eARTh,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
“Out of the Shadows,” 40 AU, Nashville, TN
Modular Art Pods, Oz Arts Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN
Robert N. Moore, Jr. Gallery at O’More College, Franklin, TN
“Replication 3.0,” Make Nashville, Nashville, TN
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN

2015
“Replication 2.0,” Ft. Houston, Nashville, TN
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
BFA Alumni Exhibition at River Campus Gallery, Cape Girardeau, MO
Green Hills Public Library, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN
Earth Day at Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
“Reciprocity,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN

2014
“Sustainable Impact: A Benefit Show,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Take Art Home: Art, Design, & Everyday Objects, The Red Arrow Gallery, Nashville, TN
Reinvention: The Mail Art Show, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN
March Artist Invitational, Turnip Green Creative Reuse, Nashville, TN
“Saving the eARTh with art” Picture This! Gallery, Hermitage, TN
Hermitage Public Library, Hermitage, TN

2013
“Artist Marketplace” Turnip Green Creative Reuse Center, Nashville, TN
“Sparkle” Benefit for Murfreesboro Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro, TN
“Undone”  Untitled Artists Group, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition,  Nashville State Community College,  Nashville, TN
“Man Art,” Black Door Gallery,  Cape Girardeau, MO
Art Faculty Exhibition,  Volunteer State Community College: Thigpen Gallery,  Gallatin, TN
“Reclamation: A Green Benefit,” Turnip Green Creative Reuse Center, Nashville, TN 
CoLab,  Nashville, TN
Roxy Regional Theater, Clarksville, TN

2012
Artistic Meanderings, St. Louis, MO
Artist Trading Cards, Black Door Gallery,  Cape Girardeau, MO
"Love at the Glove," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL 
“Man Art,” Black Door Gallery,  Cape Girardeau, MO
“Spring Roll,” “Hot Mess,” “Glow,” “Seasonal Art Disorder”  Untitled Artists Group, Nashville, TN
Art Faculty Exhibition, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN

2011
“National Wet Paint Exhibition 2011,”   Zhou B Art Center, Curator: Sergio Gomez, Chicago, IL
“Versus” Juried show, MIR Gallery,  Nashville, TN
Faculty Exhibition,  Nashville State Community College,  Nashville, TN
“Man Art,” Black Door Gallery,  Cape Girardeau, MO
Landscape Artists, Southern Illinois Community College,  Harrisburg, IL
Art Faculty X-mas Exhibition & Sale, Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN

2010
“Pleasant Views of Cheatham County,”  Main Street Arts,  Pleasant View, TN
Adjunct Faculty Exhibition,  Nashville State Community College,  Nashville, TN
Faculty Exhibition,  Thigpen Gallery,  Gallatin, TN
Grand Opening Exhibition.  Main Street Arts,  Pleasant View, TN

2009
"Second Stories" Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Inc., Chicago, IL
"What I Did on My Summer Vacation" MIR Gallery, Nashville, TN
"In Art We Trust" Untitled Artists Group Exhibition, Buffalo Billiards, Nashville, TN
Center of Symmetry, September 2009 to present. Nashville, TN.
"2009 Plein Air Exhibition" Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Rock Paper Scissors" Juried Exhibition. Estel Gallery, Nashville, TN
"Love at the Glove," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL

2008
"Art Over Easy 4," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
Mini Print 14: Preview Sale, Glove Factory, Carbondale, IL
Third Year Graduate Preview Show, University Museum, Carbondale, IL
"Rated R" 2D MFA candidate exhibition, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Spaceship Earth:Astroarcheology at SIUC" Juried Exhibition (Juror: Andy Messerschmidt) CW Post Hutchins Gallery, Long Island University, Brookville, NY
"Trash to Art," Koken Art Factory, St. Louis, MO
Plein Air Landscape Painting Show, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Mail Art Project," College of Staten Island/CUNY, Staten Island, NY
"Process, Performance, and Projection," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Game Over" juried show, Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO
30th Annual Purchase Award Show, Carbondale, IL
2nd Annual Critical Forum Exhibition, juried by Riley Robinson, Carbondale, IL
2nd Year MFA candidate exhibition, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Love at the Glove," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
29th Annual Paper in Particular Nationally Juried Exhibition (Juror: Robert Mueller) hosted by Columbia College, Columbia MO.

2007
"Art Over Easy 3," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
Mini Print 13: Preview Sale, Vergette Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Hal-LOAD-ween," juried exhibition, Doug Art Factory, Murphysboro, IL
"Change in Direction," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO
"Process, Performance, and Projection," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
1st Year MFA Exhibition, Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Love at the Glove," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL
Modest Living Artists, Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO
Fountain Street Gallery, Gallery Representation December 2005 to April 2007. Cape Girardeau, MO

2006
Mediterranean on Broadway, March 2006 to present, Cape Girardeau, MO
Mini Print 12: Preview Sale, Vergette Gallery, Carbondale, IL
"Coming & Going," Surplus Gallery, Carbondale, IL.
Girardot Nationally Juried Exhibition hosted by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau, MO
Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO
"Art for the Health of It," Southeast Hospital, Cape Girardeau, MO

2005
Fountain St. Gallery, Cape Girardeau, MO
Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO (November)
"Borders" Regional Art Show hosted by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau, MO
Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co., Cape Girardeau, MO (July)
"Girardot" Nationally Juried Exhibition by Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau, MO. (Honorable Mention)

2004
"Girardot" Nationally Juried Exhibition, by Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Cape Girardeau, MO. (Honorable Mention)
BFA Thesis Exhibition, Southeast Missouri State University Museum, Cape Girardeau, MO
Street Painting Competition, Cape Girardeau, MO. 2nd place, group category
Salon de Refuse, Schock Community Center, Scott City, MO
Student Juried Exhibition, Southeast Missouri State University Museum, Cape Girardeau, MO

2003
"3 Man Show," Juden School House, Cape Girardeau, MO
Art Show at the Schock Community Center, Scott City, MO
"React to Art," SE University Center, Cape Girardeau, MO. (2nd place ceramic, 3rd place painting category)
Street Painting Competition, Cape Girardeau, MO. 3rd place group category
Salon de Refuse, Schock Community Center, Scott City, MO. (2nd place ceramic category)
Student Juried Exhibition, Southeast Missouri State University Museum, Cape Girardeau, MO

2002
Artist Invitational by Edwin Smith, Juden School House, Cape Girardeau, MO
Computer Art Exhibition, Cape Girardeau Public Library. Cape Girardeau, MO
Street Painting Competition, Cape Girardeau, MO. (1st place group category)
Salon de Refuse, Schock Community Center, Scott City, MO
Student Juried Exhibition, Southeast Missouri State University Museum, Cape Girardeau, MO

2001
Street Painting Competition, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Third place group categ.
Salon de Refuse, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2000
Salon de Refuse, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

COMMISSIONS & COLLECTIONS

2014
Vanderbilt University Library Special Collections, Nashville, TN.
Submissions to Reinvention: The Mail Art Show were donated after the show came down.

2013
Legacy Paddlesports, Fletcher, NC. Traded a painting for a new kayak!

2006
Mr. Andy Baranovic, owner Sidewalk Sandwich Co, Cape Girardeau, MO. Outdoor mural, 75” x 100”

RESIDENCY

2023
Artist Residency for the Waymaker’s Collective at the the Pine Mountain Settlement School, Bledsoe, KY

2012 & 2013
Tetrahedra  A creative arts journal by Nashville State Community College.

2006 & 2007
Big Muddy: A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley , A juried fine art publication by Southeast Missouri State University.  Cover photo by me on 2007 edition.  Five of my photos adorn the inside of 2006 edition.

2011
Board President, Chair of Gallery Committee, Turnip Green Creative Reuse. Diverting   materials destined for the landfill to use in creative endeavors.  Based in Nashville, TN. Member 2011 to present.

2009
Member. Untitled Artist Group: A community based art group that provides opportunities for artists to show their work, education for artists, and creates new audiences for the arts. Based in Nashville, TN. Member 2009 to present.

2009-2011
Member / Board Member, Art Brigade of Tennessee. A community based art group that provided opportunities for artists to show their work, and educational opportunities for artists and the community.  Based in Pleasant View, TN.  Member Sept.2009–April 2011.

2006-2009
Treasurer. Graduate Association of Painters and Printmakers: Professional development, graduate organization participating in community events and organizing regional and national exhibitions.

2005-2007
Member Fountain Street Gallery: A contemporary art gallery in Cape Girardeau, MO. December 2005 to April 2007.
Member. Modest Living Artists: Cooperative Art group, August 2005 to April 2007.

2003
President and Historian. SEMO Grotto: Community club, promoting cave conservation, registered with the NSS, organizes caving trips, and teaches classes on caves and caving techniques. Collaborations with Missouri Conservation Department. Member 2003 to present.

2000-2004
Vice President and Secretary. Southeast Missouri State University Artist Guild: Holds annual fund raiser. Promotes and hangs annual Salon de Refuse art show.

2023    My interview on the art podcast Studio Break
Juror for the 2023 Middle Tennessee Scholastic Art Award

2022     Juror for the 2022 Tennesee Scholastic Art Award.
Presenter for the People’s Hub.

“Memorial. Monument. Movement,” Art Against Racism.org online exhibition
https://artagainstracism.org/mmm-main-gallery1/

2020     NPL Universe “Art Time With Jake” Art tutorials l lead for Nashville Public Library, along with the STEAM Series videos where I illustrated concepts relating to science, technology, engineering, art & math.

Covers the Nashville Collage Collective exhibit at Centennial Art Center.

2019     Story about the Artstronomy project at the Adventure Science Center.
https://www.adventuresci.org/artstronomy

2018 Blurb about my exhibition at Nashville International Airport.
https://www.flynashville.com/arts-and-music/exhibits/Pages/Jake-Wells---Breaking-Light.aspx

2016
An interview with Native Magazine about my thoughts on creative reuse.  Page 64.
https://issuu.com/nativenashville/docs/issue44

Nashville Scene blurb about my work at the March downtown Art Crawl.
http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/an-ambitious-first-saturday-finds-march-crawling-all-over-the-city/Content?oid=6445278

Nashville Arts Magazine on June Franklin Art Scene.
http://nashvillearts.com/2016/05/june-crawl-guide-3/

Modular Art Pod participant at Oz Arts Fest 2016.
http://www.ozartsnashville.org/tnt-modular-art-pods/

2014    
My solo show at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
http://www.artobernashville.com/event/detail/441865307/Shelby_At_Dusk_by_Jake_Wells

Blog from Reinvention: The Mail Art Show
http://nashmailart.blogspot.com/

Event promotion for my solo show at Turnip Green Creative Reuse.
http://feest.us/Green-Gallery-Opening-Upcycled-by-Jake-Wells-Nashville-02-22

2013    
Event promotion for Box 13 Artspace in Houston.
http://box13artspace.com/empty-basket-jake-wells/
http://www.thegreatgodpanisdead.com/2013/10/pan-recommends-for-week-of-october-31.html

2012
An interview I did for the TV show Live Green Tennessee.  My segment begins at 17:08
Tetrahedra  A creative arts journal published by Nashville State Community College.

2011
National Wet Paint Exhibition at the Zhou B Art Center on Visual Art Today.com
http://www.visualarttoday.com/Exhibitions/WetPaint2011/index.htm
Photos from the opening.
http://www.wetpaint2010.com/Opening_photos2011/index.htm

2009
Four links about the group Exhibition "Second Stories" at Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago, IL.
Paul Klein review at Art Letter.com
Art.New City.com
The Chi Guide.com
Bad at Sports.com

2008
C.W. Post School of Visual and Performing Arts, exhibition announcement for "Spaceship Earth:Astroarcheology at SIUC"
Article on exhibition of me and my Grandfather's work at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
"Trash to Art" exhibition announcement and photo gallery
Metro Mix.com "Trash to Art" Gallery
Columbia College news article on its 29th Annual Paper in Particular Nationally Juried Exhibition

2007
Art show announcement at the Buckner Brewing Co.
Excerpts from interview about my involvement in "The Modest Living Artists"

2006
My solo show at "Fountain Street Gallery"

2005
Story on "The Modest Living Artists"
"Off magazine" interview

2004
My honorable mention in the Nationally Juried Girardot Exhibition