Amy Kohl grew up in upstate New York. She studied art at Binghamton University, receiving her BA in studio art with an emphasis in painting. During her years at Binghamton, she also studied sculpture, drawing and mixed media.

Amy moved to California in 1991. She took some time away from her art and entered the world of education, earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Fresno State. She has been teaching for over 11 years and is currently a 2nd grade teacher at Greenberg Elementary in Fresno.

In the fall of 2002, Amy re-discovered art at the Chris Sorensen Studio in Fresno and began sculpting. Her initial focus was using found metal, mostly from the scrap yard at the studio. She has since expanded her materials to include found objects and stone. Her interest in stone is almost as strong as her passion for metal, and she frequently works on pieces in both mediums simultaneously.

Amy began showing her art in Fresno at Sorensen’s Gallery in 2003 in a solo show… she has been displaying her work in multiple shows there every year since. Amy’s shown at several locations in the Central Valley, including the opening show at Blister Mill gallery in Madera, La Luna Loca Gallery in Fresno, Javawava Cafe, The Pearl Building, and Fresno City Hall.

She has participated in group shows and invitationals at Arts Visalia, Sculpture by the Sea in Cambria, Quady Winery’s Reveille, and Jane Whitehurst’s studio.

Her portfolio also includes several private commissions and installations. She has done tank installations in 8000 gallon steel tanks at Quady Winery’s annual art show in 2008 and 2009. Other sculptures can be seen at Baird Middle School, Javawava Café, and San Joaquin Suites. Private collectors have commissioned work including large wall hangings, gongs, and gates.

Amy has begun focusing solely on creating, though she has spent several years curating shows. Artists of the Studio, Nudes in November (2007 and 2008), Three Elements, Women of the Studio, and Kids Art 2007 were some of the shows for which she was responsible. This has been a recent transition for her and she is welcoming the opportunity to focus her energies on her work.

In February 2009, Amy’s work was in the “Kiss This” show at Chris Sorensen’s, Fresno City Hall, and Reveille at Quady. In March 2009, she had a solo show at dcac in Fresno.