My family and friends call her Art Jess for a reason. The work of Jessica Semenoff hangs in multiple rooms of our homes and when she has an installation, you can bet we’ll drive the 10-90 minutes to check it out in person.
A true multidisciplinary artist, Jessica Semenoff does it all. From lino-print greeting cards to graphic design and the most cohesive series of screenprints you’ve ever seen. Once you know it, you’ll be quick to spot her signature style. Jessica loves circles, bold colours, crisp white line-work, and golden accents.
When we became friends, I kept her company while she painted some cabinets for the University of Calgary’s Hunter Hub, and she told me where I could go to see the utility box she’d painted for the City of Calgary. I knew she was the real deal. Over the course of the last two years, Jessica Semenoff has really leaned into the mural world, showcasing art on walls and windows in Kensington, Inglewood, and Sylvan Lake, to name a few. Projects like the Northern Reflections and Palimpshed have provided space for Jessica’s art to brighten up the communities we know and love. Recently, she assisted Canadian-mural-legend birdO with a gigantic mural in downtown Calgary. The next time she gets on a swing stage, you better believe it will be for her own design.
Written by Kate Welner – friend.
Which ‘hood are you in?
I live in Lincoln Park. During the summer and autumn, I enjoy rollerblading around the community. We’re very fortunate to have a really great pathway system.
What do you do?
As a muralist, painter, and printmaker, I create artwork revolving around nature. My adoration for the environment has pushed me to begin to incorporate themes of sustainability, climate change, and our flawed landfill and recycling programs into my practice. I aspire to become a bridge between the environment and all the issues surrounding it, displaying parallels connecting the two.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m creating a body of work for a solo exhibition I’m planning for the summer.
The exhibit will host a series of works created out of pre-existing synthetic materials to highlight the environmental impacts of plastic and potential material reuse.
As an artist, I am always working on multiple projects at once. I am also creating a few pieces for group exhibitions, sketching out a few mural drafts, and planning out new products for markets.
Where can we find your work?
My work can be found on my website, seasonal artisan markets, and on Instagram.
