Kate Geiger is a realist painter known for her intimate figurative work and emotionally resonant portraiture. Her paintings reflect a deep interest in memory and nostalgia, drawing from personal experience and cultural symbols to explore how fleeting impressions shape identity. Through a blend of Americana, pop art references, and decorative patterning, she creates visual narratives that feel both specific and universally familiar.
In addition to her studio practice, Kate is an experienced commission portrait artist, creating custom works that capture the spirit and individuality of her subjects. She also has a background in sign painting, lettering, calligraphy, and visual merchandising—skills that inform her strong sense of composition, design, and visual storytelling.
She received her BFA from Rosemont College and her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her creative career has included work as a freelance artist, adjunct professor, paint-and-sip instructor, bartender, and even a professional party clown. From 2014 to 2016, she was a member of 3rd Street Gallery in Philadelphia, where she served as secretary and events coordinator. Her work has been shown nationally and is held in private collections in both Philadelphia and New York.
Kate lives just outside Philadelphia with her husband Shawn, a professional chef, their two sons, Harry and Riley, and their house rabbits, Beaux and Cosmo.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Kate Geiger b. 1981, Narberth, PA
EDUCATION
2006 MFA Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2003 BFA Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA
SELECTED TWO AND THREE PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2016 Squares, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Les Femmes Qui Peintent, Frandy Jean Gallery, Haddon Heights, NJ
2011 Featured Artist, Fairmount Arts Crawl, London Grill, Philadelphia, PA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Group Exhibition, Sweet Mabel, Narberth, PA
2021 Yesterday, Today, Everyday, Art Mums United, online exhibition
2021 Portraiture, Manifold Global, online exhibition
2018 Narberth Arts Festival, Narberth, PA
2017 Annual Trunk Show, Simon Breitbard Gallery, San Fransisco, CA
2014 Small Works Show, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Les Femmes Qui Peintent, Frandy Jean Gallery, Haddon Heights, NJ
2013 Alumni Reunion Exhibition Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College
2012 Art in Sharpe Park, Haverford, PA
2012 Narberth Arts Festival, Narberth, PA
2008 Alumni Reunion Exhibition Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College
2007 Emerging Artist Exhibition, Cabrini College, Radnor, PA
2006 Presidential Exhibition Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College
2006 Annual Student Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2006 Annexing Tradition, Pure Gallery, Harrisburg, PA
2003 Senior Thesis Exhibition, Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College
PRESS
Trendy Art Ideas
“Philadelphia Based Painter Working In Contemporary Realism” 2021
Main Line Today
“Creative Resilience” 2021
Old City District
“Events” 2016
Philly Mag
“21 Things to Do on July 4th Weekend” 2016
RESIDENCIES
2010 The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, Rabun Gap, GA
PUBLICATIONS
2021 The Huts Magazine, Issue 3
2016 Studio Visit Magazine, Vol. 33
2018 Studio Visit Magazine, Vol. 40
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
2014-2016 Member, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014-2016 Secretary, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014-2016 Events Coordinator, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014-2015 Instructor, Painting with a Twist, Haddonfield, NJ
2012-2013 Adjunct Faculty, Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA