For more than 40 years Kenneth Capps has created a significant body of work that has gained national recognition. In 1973, while still a student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), he was invited to participate in an international sculpture exhibition titled “Sculpture in the Fields” at the prestigious Storm King Art Center in upstate New York. The Storm King Art Center is the largest and most regarded outdoor sculpture garden in the United states. Four of his sculptures were sited and one of the pieces, “Strike” 1972 was purchased for their permanent collection. This led to his first one-person exhibition in New York City at the O.K. Harris Gallery. Several exhibitions in New York and elsewhere have followed (see below). His work is now featured in permanent collections throughout the United States, including the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Connecticut, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Massachusetts, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego. Three of his drawings were acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York for their collection of post-war drawings. In 1984, the Port of San Diego commissioned several of his large-scale works, which are permanently installed in Bayside Park. Capps has received several grants and awards, including two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. During the past twelve years part of his focus has been on developing a sculpture park and foundation as part of his ongoing body of work.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Kansas City, Missouri
B.A. Sculpture, University of California, San Diego, California (1973)
M.F.A. Sculpture, University of California, San Diego, California (1975)
Lives and works in Carlsbad, California and Warner Springs, California

GRANTS AND AWARDS

1973 Purchase Award, Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, NY
1974 Purchase Award, First Annual California Sculpture Exhibition, California State University, Northridge, California
1982-83 National Endowment For the Arts Fellowship (Drawing), Washington, D.C.
1984 San Diego Port Commission, San Diego, CA
1986 Pollock/Krasner Foundation Grant, New York, NY
1986-87 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship (Sculpture), Washington, D.C.
1988 Engelhard Award, ICA, Boston, MA
2016 Pollock/Krasner Foundation Grant

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016/2017 Kenneth Capps, Wood-Steel Sound, Bread & Salt, San Diego, CA
2014 Dichotomy, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA
2014 Drawing and Sculpture, Royale Projects: Contemporary Art, Palm Desert, CA
2013 On View: Kenneth Capps, Valeira Sculpture Garden, San Diego Central Library, San Diego, CA
2012 Kenneth Capps Early Sculpture 1969-1976, Royale Projects, Indian Wells, CA (Catalogue)
2008 Kenneth Capps: Metered Exhibition, Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA (catalogue)
2005 Backyard, Carlsbad Sculpture Garden, Carlsbad, CA (brochure)
2003 Kenneth Capps Steel Sculpture, Art Exchange Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2002 Tables, Divan + Studio, La Jolla, CA
2001-02 Public Projects, California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido, CA
1999 Sculpture and Sound Installation (two person show), Hyde Gallery, Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA
1998 Sculpture and Equator Drawings, Quint Contemporary Art, La Jolla, CA
1997 Six Solo Exhibitions (Sound Work), California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido, CA
1993 Field Surgery, Sound and Light, A Collaboration, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, NY
1992 Metered Atmosphere, Sound and Magnetism Installation, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, NY
1990 Steel Drawings and Sculpture, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, NY
1988 Sculpture, Marc Richards Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1987 Metered Atmosphere, Sound Installation, Brandstater Gallery, Loma Linda University, Riverside, CA
1987 New Sculpture in Steel with Suspended Sound/Movement Piece, Saxon/Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1985 23 Steel Sculptures, 1983-1985, Boehm Gallery, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA
1984 Konoids, Axis and Space Objects (Two Spaces), Mark Quint Gallery, San Diego, CA
1982 Steel Drawings and Sculpture, Mark Quint Gallery, La Jolla, CA
1977 Wood and Steel Sculpture Installation, O.K. Harris Gallery, New York, NY
1976 Wood and Steel Sculpture Installation, O.K. Harris Gallery, New York, NY

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2018 Distant Light, Quint Gallery, San Diego, CA
2016 LA Today, Royal Projects: Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA
2016 Objects May Appear. Royale Projects, Palm Desert, CA
2015-17 Newport Beach Outdoor Sculpture Invitational Exhibition, Newport Beach, CA
2013 Looking Back at Tomorrow, Royale Projects, Palm Springs, CA
2013 A Very Large Array, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, CA (MCASD)
2012 Art Platform, Los Angeles Art Fair, Royale Projects
2012 Rodin to Now: Modern Sculpture, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Desert, CA
2010 Outside The Lines The Drawing in Contemporary Art, Royale Projects, Indian Wells, CA
2010 Double Up, Double Up, Quint Contemporary Art, La Jolla, CA
2009 Le Petit Object, Royale Projects, Indian Wells, CA
2009 Quint, Three Decades of Contemporary Art, CCA Museum, Escondido, CA 
2009 Drawings (broadly defined), Cardwell/Jimmerson Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 
2009 Homing In: An Exhibition of 50 San Diego Artists, Quint Contemporary Art, La Jolla, CA
2007 Four San Diego Sculptors, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA 
2006 The Elpaseo Invitational, Palm Desert, CA
2002 Ad Infinitum (drawing show)Werner Kramarsky Gallery, New York, NY
2000 Interpretations of Flight, Art & Cultural Center, Fallbrook, CA 
2000 International Post Card Invitational, Sharjah Arts Museum, Sharjah United Arab Emirates
1999 New Additions Outdoors, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ (catalogue)
1998 West Coast Painting and Sculpture, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA 
1997 EARART, Sound Exhibition, 1078 Gallery, Chico, CA, 
1997 Unbuilt Southern California, Guggenheim Gallery, Chapman University, Orange, CA 
1996 Masks, Sotheby’s and Traveling Exhibit, Sotheby’s New York, NY (catalogue)
1995 Common Ground, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, CA 
1994 The Box Show (Sound Installation), Children’s Museum, San Diego, CA 
1993 Museum of Contemporary Art Collection of San Diego Artist, Boehm Gallery, San Marcos, CA
1992 Gallery Group Show, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, New York, NY
1992 Fifth Anniversary Exhibition at 54 Gallery, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, New York, NY
1990 Gallery Artist, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, New York, NY
1990 Metaphor of Function, San Diego State University Art Gallery, San Diego, CA 
1990 San Diego Artist Today, David Lewinson Gallery, Del Mar, CA
1989 Lannon Acquisition (Sound Installation), Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, CA
1989 Arts in Public Places, Manhattan Beach Public Arts, Manhattan Beach, CA (booklet)
1988 Gallery Group Show, Marc Richards Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1988 Mocart Auction 88, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA
1987 An Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition for Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA
1986 The Biennial, Installation Gallery, San Diego, CA,
1986 New Additions Outdoors, DeCordova and Dana Museum, Lincoln, MA (catalogue)
1986 From the Back Room, Saxon/Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 
1986 Outdoor Exhibition, De Cordova and Dana Museum, Lincoln, MA
1986 Liquid/Solid Project, Museum of Seasonal Change, San Diego, CA 
1986 Sculpture Arenas (Sound Installation), Mandeville Gallery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA (catalogue)
1986 Synthesis, Fuller/Golden Gallery, San Francisco, CA 
1985 Wall Forms, Saxon/Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 
1985 A San Diego Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, CA (catelogue)
1984 Confronting Images, Jewish Community Center, San Diego, CA 
1984 Group Show, Mark Quint Gallery, San Diego, CA
1984 Sculpture 4, Foundation Art in Public Spaces, Del Mar, CA 
1984 Constructed Metal, College of Creative Studies Gallery, University of California Santa Barbara, CA (booklet)
1983 Continué, Mark Quint Gallery, San Diego, CA 
1982 Public Sculpture, Invitational, Kaiser Center, Oakland, CA (catalogue)
1980 Sculpture in California 1975-1980, San Diego Museum, San Diego, CA (catalogue)
1979 The Minimal Tradition, The Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield, CT (catalogue)
1978 O.I.A. Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Wards Island, NY
1977 Seven California Sculptors, Tortue Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 
1976 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Newberger Museum, Purchase, NY
1976 National Drawing and Drawing and Sculpture Invitational, Gallery Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX (booklet)
1974 Public Sculpture Urban Environment, The Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA (catalogue)
1974 First Annual California Sculpture Exhibition, Fine Arts Gallery, California State University, Northridge, CA (Purchase Award)
1973 The City is for People Sculpture Exhibition, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA
1973 Sculpture in the Fields, Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, NY

SOUND INSTALLATIONS

1999 Send and Receive, Radio Static Sound, Hyde Gallery, Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA
1997 Numb Series, Resonator Sound Work 1984-1992, California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido, CA
1994 Flying Boxcar, Sound Resonance, Childrens Museum/Museo del Ninos, San Diego, CA
1993 Field Surgery Sound Resonance and Projected Light (Colaboration), Vera Engelhorn Gallery, New York, NY
1992 Metered Atmosphere Magnetism and Sound Piece, Vera Engelhorn Gallery, New York, NY
1989 Sound Installation Using Air Pressure and Vacuum, Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla, CA
1987 Seize, Suspended Sound and Movement Piece, Saxon/Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1987 Wired Interactive Sound Installation Metaphor of Function, San Diego State University Art Gallery, San Diego, CA
1987 Sculpture Arenas Metered Atmosphere (Outdoor Installation), Mandeville Art Gallery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
1987 Metered Atmosphere, Air Pressure and Vacuum Sound Installation, Loma Linda University, Riverside, CA
1885 Metered Atmosphere, Air Pressure and Vacuum Sound Installation, Boehm Gallery, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA
1984 Light Years Movement/Sound Piece, Mark Qunit Gallery, San Diego, CA

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2016 Hanna Fry, “Newport Beach Extends Sculpture Exhibit,” Los Angeles Times, August 14, 2016.
2015 Christopher Trela, “New Sculptures Installed in Civic Center Park,” Newport Beach Independent, August 21, 2015.
2014 Cathy Breslaw, “Kenneth Capps Oceanside Museum,” Artscene, June 2014.
2014 Lonnie Hewitt, “Five Sizzling Exhibits,” La Jolla Light, May 1, 2014.
2014 Promise Yee, “Exhibits Highlight What Sculpture Is,” The Coast News, April 18, 2014.
2014 Cathy Breslaw, “ ‘DICHOTOMY’ Exhibition Oceanside Museum,” SD Visual Arts.net, May 27, 2014.
2013 Roger Showley, “Subtext of Joy, Touring the New Central Library,” Union Tribune, 2013.
2012 “Who’s Who in American Art,” edition 2012.
2011 Phylis Van Doran, “2011 Stars of San Diego,” San Diego Home and Garden Magazine.
2008 Patricia Buckley, “Carlsbad Sculptor Finds Motion in the Inanimate,” North County Times, June 12, 2008.
2008 Robert L. Pincus, “In Plain Site,” The San Diego Union, July 3, 2008.
2008 Patricia Buckley, “Carlsbad Sculptor Finds Motion in the Inanimate,” North County Times, June 12, 2008..
2008 Hiss Mark, “Forging a Higher Calling,” San Diego Home and Garden Magazine, November, 2008.
2007 Patricia Buckley, “Four San Diego Sculptors,” North County Times, April 26, 2007.
2007 Robert L. Pincus, “The Three Dimensional Approach,” June 7, 2007.
2007 Jo Rowling, “Capps Sculpture Sees Light of Day,” Oakland Museum Newsletter, January 2007.
2007 Robert L. Pincus, “Temporary Art Program Can Leave Lasting Impression,” commentary, The San Diego Union, December 16, 2007.
2001 Bill Fark, “Bold Offerings,” North County Times, August 9, 2001.
2001 Robert L. Pincus, “Public Projects: Metal in Elegant Motion,” The San Diego Union- Tribune, September 23, 2001.
2000 Dona Z. Meilach, “The Contemporary Blacksmith,” 2000.
2000 Shana Wilson, “The Iron Age,” August 2000.
2000 Dona Z. Meilach, “Direct Metal Sculpture,” 2000.
1999 Robert L. Pincus, “Form and Substance,” San Diego Union-Tribune, August 26, 1999.
1998 Robert L. Pincus, “World View,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 8, 1998.
1997 Robert L. Pincus, “Highfive at CCA Museum,” San Diego Union-Tribune, July 24, 1997.
1997 Gary Warth, “Artist Has Sound Ideas About Sculpture,” North County Times, August 17, 1997.
1995 Robert L. Pincus, “Show is Grounds for Looking at Locals,” San Diego Union- Tribune, November 12, 1995.
1990 Robert L. Pincus, “Nine for the Nineties,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 7, 1990.
1990 Neil Kendricks, “It’s Metaphor, Not Minamalism,” The Daily Aztec, September 19, 1990.
1990 Ann Jamusch, “Sculptures Elegant, Repelling,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 14, 1990.
1990 Robert L. Pincus, “Sculptors Form A Functional Trio with an Undercurrent of Fantasy,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 21, 1990.
1990 Leah Ollman, “Testing Cross-Fire of Ideas, Forms in Metaphor,” Los Angeles Times, September 14, 1990.
1989 Michael S. Hamer, “Public Surveillance,” The Beach Reporter, August 31, 1989.
1989 Louis Aguilar, “Manhattan Beach to Let Public Decide What Art to Keep,” Los Angeles Times, August 6, 1989.
1988 Robert Perine and I. Andrea, San Diego Artist Book, 1988.
1988 Ellen Komp, “Critic’s Choice,” Los Angeles Reader, October 1988.
1988 Suvan Greer, “Art Review,” Los Angeles Times, October 1988.
1988 Robert L. Pincus, “The State of Public Art,” San Diego Union-Tribune, April 24, 1988.
1988 Hillard Haper, Interview, Los Angeles Times, April 5, 1988.
1987 Susan Freudenheim, “Outdoor Sculptures Worth Trip to Carlsbad,” San Diego Union-Tribune, November 25, 1987.
1987 Robert L. Pincus, “Carlsbad Sculptures Make Statement,” San Diego Union- Tribune, November 12, 1987.
1987 David Lewison, “Outdoor Exhibition for Carlsbad,” Carlsbad Journal, October 17, 1987.
1987 Francoise Yohalem, “Award Profiles,” Sculpture Magazine, Semptmber / October 1987.
1987 Francis Colpitt, “Reviews,” Art in America, Vol. 75 No. 5 May 1987.
1987 Robert McDonald, “UCSD Sculpture Exhibit,” Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1987.
1987 Robert L. Pincus, “Work of Six Sculptors are Part of Logical Whole at Mandeville,” San Diego Union-Tribune, April 9, 1987.
1987 McManus, Sculptural Arenas, University of California, San Diego, catalogue, April / May 1987.
1987 Hazel Simon, “Steel Sculptures Accompanied by Sound,” The Press Enterprise, April 12, 1987.
1987 Mac McCloud, “A Minimalist Playing,” Artweek, January 1987.
1987 Kristine McKenna, “Art Review,” Los Angeles Times, January 23, 1987.
1987 Robert L. Pincus, “On the Cutting Edge with Steel,” San Diego Union-Tribune, January 8, 1987.
1986 Suzanne Choney, “Art Takes Shape at Bay Park,” San Diego Union-Tribune, January 10, 1986.
1985 Robert L. Pincus, “Kenneth Capps’ Sculpture Reflects Sinister Aura of Destruction,” San Diego Union, October 3, 1985.
1985 Maria Puente, “Heated Debate Over Sculpture Carves Out an Agreement,” San Diego Tribune, July 24, 1985.
1985 Robert L. Pincus, “Affirmation the Abstract,” San Diego Union, July 21, 1985.
1985 David Lewinson, “Bold Dreams by the Bay,” San Diego Magazine, April 1985.
1985 Suzanne Munchnic, “Emerging Artist on Display,” Los Angeles Times, March 27, 1985.
1985 Dennis Komac, “Emerging Art,” San Diego Tribune, March 25, 1985.
1985 David Lewinson, Forty-Two Emerging Artists, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, catalogue, March 1985.
1985 Tim McClain, “Knoids’ Find Home on Chula Vista Bayfront,” Chula Vista Star News, January 17, 1985.
1984 Mark Elliot-Lugo, “Space Objects by Capps: Toys for the Mind,” San Diego Union, December 7, 1984.
1984 Jeff Kelly, “Sculpture: Relics of Science Fiction,” Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1984.
1984 David Lewinson, “Capps Makes Most of Time and Space,” San Diego Union, November 29, 1984.
1984 Mark Elliot-Lugo, “Two Cities Eye Major Sculpture Projects,” San Diego Evening Tribune, April 6, 1984.
1984 Francis Colpitt, Constructed Metal, College of Creative Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, catlogue, January 1984.
1984 “Abstract Sculpture Chosen for City’s Bayside Park,” Chula Vista Star, April 8, 1984.
1982 Richard Reilly, “Reviews,” San Diego Union, March 14, 1982.
1982 Elise Miller, “Reviews,” Art News, Vol 81 No. 6 Summer 1982.
1982 Dennis Komac, “Drawings in Steel,” Artweek, Vol. 13 No. 10 March 1982.
1980 Richard Armstrong, Sculpture in California 1975-1980, San Diego Museum of Art, catalogue, May / July 1980.
1979 Dorothy Marshall, Minimal Tradition, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, Connecticut, catalogue, April 1979.
1977 William Wilson, “Through the Smog-Talent,” Los Angeles Times, August 1977.
1976 Ellen Lubell, “Reviews,” Arts Magazine, Vol. 50 No.1 September 1976.
1976 Tara Collins, “Kenneth Capps,” Arts Magazine, Vol. 51 No. 1 September 1976.
1975 Fran Priesman, “Kenneth Capps’ Outdoor Sculpture,” Artweek, September 1975.
1974 Peter Plagens, “First Annual California Sculpture Exhibition,” California State University Northridge, catalogue, February / March 1974.
1974 George Neubert, “Public Sculpture / Urban Environment,” The Oakland Museum, catalogue, September / December 1974.
1974 Judith Dunham, “Public Sculpture / Urban Environment,” Artweek, November 1974.

ART PUBLICATIONS

2018 “The Artist Portrait Project,” She Writes Press, Berkeley, CA, By: Jennifer G. Spencer, ISBN: 9781631523946, July 2018.
2015–2017 Newport Beach Sculpture in Civic Center Park, brochure with image, September 2015 – August 2017.
2013/2014 “Solo Exhibition Dichotomy,” Viewpoint Museum, brochure with images, By: Daniel Foster, Winter 2013/Spring 2014.
2013 “The Next Chapter” brochure with image, San Diego Public Library.
2013 Kenneth Capps Outdoor Exhibition, UCSD reprint of original publication with additional images, ISBN 987-1-4675-9557-5.
2012 Ars Publica Düsseldorf (Public Art in Düesseldorf, Germany), By: Wolfgang Funken, ISBN-10: 3837507750, ISBN-13: 987-3837507751.
2012 “Kenneth Capps Early Sculpture 1969-1976,” Royale Projects
2012 “Who’s Who in American Art,” R.R. Bowker, New York, NY
2011 “Who’s Who in American Art,” edition 2011.
2008 “Kenneth Capps: Metered,” Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA, By: Karen McQuire and David Lewinson, 2008.
2007 “Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region,” Temple University Press, By: Rob Cardillo and Adam Levine, 2007.
2006 “Iron Work Today: Inside and Out,” Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., ISBN # 07643-2390-3, By: Donna Z. Meilach, 2006.
2001 “Direct Metal Sculpture,” Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., ISBN # 07643-1254, By: Donna Z. Meilach, 2001.
2000 “The Contemporary Blacksmith,” Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., ISBN # 07643-1106-9, By: Donna Z. Meilach, 2000.
1999 “Sculpture Exhibition Catalogue,” Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, New Jersey, By: Brooke Barrie, 1999.
1996 “A Guide to the Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America,” Michael Kesend Publishing, NY, NY, By: Jane McCarthy and Laurily Epstein, 1996.
1996 “Masks Exhibition,” Friends of Akim USA, Association for Retarded Children, Southeby’s Public Auction, NY, NY, 1996.
1988 “San Diego Artist,” Arta Publishing, Inc., PO Box 575, Encinitas, CA, ISBN # 0-936725-02-8, By: Robert Perine and I Andrea and Bram Dijkstra, 1988.
1987 “Sculpture Arenas,” Mandeville Gallery, University of California San Diego, By: Michael McManus, 1987.
1985 “Forty-Two Emerging Artists,” Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, CA, By: Linda Forsha and Hugh Davies, 1985.
1983 “Brookhouse Sculpture Invitational,” Kaiser Center, Oakland, California, By: Victor Fischer, 1983.
1980 “Sculpture at Storm King,” Abbeville Press, Inc., ISBN # 08959-083-6, Preface By: J. Carter Brown, Photography by: David Finn, 1980.
1980 “Sculpture in California 1975-1980,” San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA ISBN # 0-937108-00-6, By: Richard Armstrong, 1980.
1979 “The Minimal Tradition,” The Aldrich Museum of Contemport Art, Ridgefield, CN, By: Dorthy Mayhall, 1979.
1976 “Park Guide,” DE Cordava Museum and Aculpture Park, Lincoln, MA, 1976.
1974 “First Annual Sculpture Exhibition,” California State University, Northridge, By: Peter Plagens, 1974
1974 “Public Sculpture Urban Environment,” Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA, Card Catalogue #74-18950, 1974.

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, NY
Alfred Schmela Sculpture Park, Dusseldorf, Germany
Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
Port of San Diego, Bayside Park, Chula Vista, CA
Venna, Latham, Watkins Law Firm, Los Angeles, CA
Sun America Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Terraces, Kaufman and Broad Development, Laguna Beach, CA
Federal Reserve Bank, Los Angeles, CA
Hyatt Regency, Garden Grove, CA
Carnation Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps Law Firm, San Diego, CA
Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation, La Jolla, CA
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
The Irvine Company, San Diego, CA
Palomar College, San Marcos, CA