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ABOUT KIM
As a working artist, I allow subject matter to evolve from within...unplanned, free, limitless. As a result, accidental realism peeks through layers of color and form as I hope to inspire viewers of all ages to embark on an exciting scavenger hunt of images.
INSIDE THOUGHTS: “When I work, the paint and I are in constant dialogue. I have my ideas; the paint has her own. Without this silent discourse, the concept cannot be resolved, so the painting waits to be completed at a later date whenever I decide to surrender. It takes strength on my part to let the paint win, not to judge or second-guess it, because I know that the paint will reveal my lifelong struggle between freedom and control and the depths of my subconscious which I would prefer to hide.”
Kim Howes Zabbia, a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, is an artist, teacher, and author. With a B.A. in English and Journalism from Southeastern Louisiana University and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from Louisiana State University, Kim retired in 2007 from Ponchatoula High School to open The Art Station, an art school for adults, in downtown Ponchatoula. Since its creation, The Art Station has taken in more than 4,000 registrations for classes and received the Innovator of the Year Award from N.O. City Business.
Kim has had 24 solo exhibitions since 1990. Currently represented by Ariodante Gallery on Julia Street in New Orleans and the New Orleans Art Center on St. Claude, she was honored with a 24-year retrospective exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of Art in 2014, Pensacola, Florida.
Author of Painted Diaries: A Mother and Daughter’s Experience through Alzheimer’s (Fairview Press, 1996), Kim has delivered 40 presentations around the country, including the Byron D. Griffith Memorial Lecture at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and served on the Louisiana Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Her latest book, Just Paint, It Ain't: Demystifying the Complex Marriage of Artists and their Viewers (MAAS Press, 2019) teaches artists and art lovers to "talk art" like the pros.
Kim is married to Bob Zabbia, Ponchatoula’s mayor since 2004, and they have one daughter and son-in-law, Kate and JD Stuart, and three grands, Maggie, Alice-Anne and Sam.
(photo by robby klein)
ALSO: CHECK OUT KIM'S MAP OF SOME OF HER COLLECTORS ON Wescover.
Kim Howes Zabbia
Ponchatoula, LA
kimzabbia@huntbrothers.com www.kimhoweszabbia.com
FACEBOOK: kim howes zabbia artist
INSTAGTRAM: kimzabbia.artist
DEGREES
1992 M.F.A., Studio Art, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
1980 Art Certification—Southeastern Louisiana University
1974 B.A., English & Journalism, Southeastern La. Univ., Hammond, LA
EMPLOYMENT
ARTIST—Represented by
- Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA, 2013 to current
- New Orleans Art Center, 3330 St. Claude, New Orleans, LA, 2016 to current
FOUNDER/OWNER—The Art Station 2007 to current, www.theartstationllc.com
AUTHOR—Painted Diaries: A Mother and Daughter’s Experience Through Alzheimer’s—Fairview Press, 1996
AUTHOR—Just Paint, It Ain’t: Demystifying the Complex Marriage of Artists and Their Viewers--MAAS Press, 2019
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 March 1-30 Ariodante Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2019 November 1-30 Ariodante Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2019 April 1-30 Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St. New Orleans, LA
2018 April 7-29 Tangent, gallery43, Roswell, GA
2017 Nov. 4-30 Impact Louisiana, Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St., New Orleans, LA
2016 Oct. 1-31 Beneath the Core, Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St., New Orleans, LA
2016 March 10 Private Showing, Juliana’s Event Center, Ponchatoula, LA
2015 March 7-31 Gridlock: the Conflict Continues, Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St., New Orleans, LA
2014 Oct. 17-Nov. 29, 2014 Creativity vs. Fear-1990 to Now, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola, FL
2014 March 8-31 Control vs. Freedom, Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St., New Orleans, LA
2012 March 1-31 Red Dot Gallery Ponchatoula, LA
2010 July 6-September 6 O’Donnell’s Restaurant The Art Station’s Artists’ Network
2009 August 21 Kairos Hot August Night Hammond, LA
2007 Sept. 18-November 5 O’Donnell’s Restaurant The Art Station’s Artists’ Network
2001 April 20-May 20 Old Frame House Hammond, LA
2000 August 14-Sept. 9 Howes & Howes: Sculpture by Mike Howes & Paintings by Kim Howes Zabbia
Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum Houma, LA
1998 Sept. 14- Oct. 16 Elmira College Gallery Elmira, NY
1997 January 12-Feb. 6 Southeastern Community College Gallery Whiteville, NC
1996 August 22-23 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
1993 October 29 Fanfare Gallery Stroll Hammond, LA.
1993 March 6-31 Hilderbrand Gallery New Orleans, LA.
1992 June 15-July 24 Clark Hall Gallery, Southeastern La. University Hammond, LA.
1992 March 7-13 Foster Gallery Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA MFA Thesis Exhibition
1991 April 9-28 Fine Arts Museum of the South Mobile, AL
1990 November 4-30 DePaul Hospital New Orleans, LA
1990 August 27 - September 28 Talbot Hall Gallery, Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 March 1-30 New Orleans Art Center, St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA
2019 April 1-30 Ariodante Gallery, NO, LA
2018 Nov 6-Dec 6 Group Show, New Orleans Art Center, NO, LA
2018 Nov 3-30 Lagniappe, Ariodante Gallery, NO, LA
2017 April 8-May 9 Quest, New Orleans Art Center, NO, LA
2017 March 17-25 Collect, Leader Art Consultants, Pensacola, FL
2016 December 16-18 Southern Accent: Contemporary Works by Gulf Coast Artists, Leader Art Consultants LLC, Pensacola, FL
2016 March 12-31 LaFemme (juror: Don Marshal) New Orleans Arts Center, NO, LA
2015 November 5-30 Lagniappe Artist, Ariodante Gallery, 535 Julia St., New Orleans, LA
2015 Ninth Annual Louisiana Fine Art Showcase Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
2014 April 1-30 Ariodante Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2013 Seventh Annual Louisiana Fine Art Showcase Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
2011 Fifth Annual Louisiana Fine Art Showcase Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
2010 Nov. 12-Dec. 18 Fine and Functional Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2010 April 16 Art in April Hammond, LA
2010 Fourth Annual Louisiana Fine Art Showcase Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
2009 August 1 Hot Art in a Cool Space Lacombe, LA
2006 Sept. 5-14 The Broads Group Exhibition Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2003 October 16 Homecoming Alumni Exhibition Southeastern LA. Univ. Hammond, LA
2003 August 5-28 The Broads Group Exhibition Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2002 October 26 “Jazzin’ Up the Arts” Group Show La. Furniture Industry Gallery Ponchatoula, LA
2002 July 13-Aug 3 Fort Isabel Invitational Exhibition Fort Isabel Gallery Covington, LA
1999 June 5-23 “Watermark 2000: Works on Paper” SCC Upstairs Gallery Juror: Ralph L. Steeds
Whiteville, NC
1999 May 20-June 3 “Woman 2000: an Exhibit of Strength” St. Tammany Art House Covington, LA
1998 May 8-June 4 “Ponchatoula Showcase” Hammond Regional Arts Center Hammond, LA
1998 March 16-April 3 “Women’s Rights: a Visual Journey” Clark Hall Gallery SLU Hammond, LA
1997 May 17-June 13 “Northern Abstraction” St. Tammany Art Assoc. Covington, LA Curator: Don Marshall
1997 April 5-26 “All Dolled Up” Shooting Star Gallery New Orleans, LA
1997 March 21-April 5 “Watercolor ‘97' Hammond Regional Arts Center Hammond, LA
1997 March 1-22 “Girls! Girls! Girls!” Shooting Star Gallery New Orleans, LA
1996 Aug. 28-Sept. 20 “Louisiana Abstraction: Women in the Arts” Clark Hall Gallery Southeastern LA University
1996 Aug. 28-Sept. 20 Northshore Art Educators Exhibit Clark Hall Gallery Southeastern LA Univ.
1995 October 15 Tangipahoa Invitational Gallery Minette Hammond, LA and October 21 Art Space Covington, LA.
1994 November 6 - December 2 Associated Women in the Arts Exhibition Juror: Janet Fish BR, LA
1994 March 12 - May 2'Inspired by Nature' St. Tammany Art Association Covington, LA
1993 December 4-30 Hilderbrand Gallery New Orleans, LA
1991 September 9-27 Louisiana Artists Annual Honorable Mention Covington, LA
1991 October 5-25 Downtown Gallery New Orleans, LA
1989 June 26 - July 14 Summer Show St. Tammany Art Assoc.'s 24th Annual Juried Exhibit Covington, LA
1988 March 18-27 Audubon Artists, Inc. 46th National Juried Exhibit New York, NY
1988 February 21 - March 18 47th Annual National Juried Art Competition Lake Worth, FL
1986 October 6-17 Graphics Arts Alumni Clark Hall Gallery Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond,LA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Annie Award—Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce, Hammond, La--2016
Innovator of the Year Award, New Orleans City Business Magazine-2008
Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail—2011 to current, Charter member, Chair-2012-18
Grant—Jazz and Heritage Foundation—Louisiana Archives, Documentation and Preservation- 2012-13
World Economic Forum Grant, Division of the Arts—2008
Grant Administrator & Instructor “En Plein Air—Oak Alley Plantation” October 11, Subsequent Exhibit-Hammond, LA October 16
Lifetime Achievement Award -2007 Northshore Regional Endowment for the Arts, Kim Howes Zabbia Art Education Endowment begun-2007
Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for the State of Louisiana—2006
New Orleans Saints Teacher of the Week-October 15, 2006
Hammond Arts Award for Art Education—1998 and 2004
Honorary Chairperson Northshore Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk-2009
COEHD Educators Honor Roll-2007 Southeastern Louisiana University
Percent for Art Committee, SLU 2003-04
Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year—2000
Represented by Louisiana Furniture Industry Assn. Gallery, Ponchatoula, LA-2002-06
Represented by Hilderbrand Galleries 4524 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA-1993-4
Honorary Family Chairperson New Orleans Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk-1994
Co-owner Charlotte's Webb Frame Shop & Art Gallery Ponchatoula, LA-1977-1985
PROFESSION-RELATED MEMBERSHIPS
State Arts Council for Louisiana-2009-2010 (Secretary-2009-2010)
Board of Directors-Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting-2007-2011 (Art Auction Chair) (On air Anchor: 2009-2016)
Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce-2007 to current
National Art Materials Trade Association-2008-2017
Ponchatoula Public Arts Commission—1998-2006—Chair 2000-2006
Louisiana Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease—1997-98
Hammond Regional Arts Center Board of Directors—1999-2000
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
TEACHER/OWNER—The Art Station, Ponchatoula, LA—10+ years—2007 to current
PRODUCER/INSTRUCTOR--The No Fear Artist series—Instructional DVD-2010
TEACHER (retired)—Ponchatoula High School—33 years—1974-2007--Art I, II, III, & IV
Highlights: 72’ “Ponchatoula Celebrates the Arts Mural” downtown-2002; Green Wave Tile Project
INSTRUCTOR—Assertive Discipline to all new teachers in Tangipahoa Parish each semester as part of the F.I.R.S.T. program—2004-2010; 2018
WORKSHOP PRESENTER—“Creativity vs. Fear Painting Workshop” October, 2014, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola, FL
WORKSHOP PRESENTER—Tangipahoa Parish F.I.R.S.T. Mentors, “Peer Coaching, Assertive Discipline & Transactional Analysis”—2008
JUROR
2019 April Hammond Art Guild Group Exhibit, Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2014 May Congressman Steve Scalise Annual Student Art Competition, Washington DC
2012 May Congressman Steve Scalise Annual Student Art Competition, Washington DC
2010 March 19 Judge Bayou Lacombe Art Center Exhibit, Lacombe, LA
2006 January 25 Judge Policy Debate—National Home School Association, Hammond, LA
2006 July 1 Judge Arts and Crafts Festival—Tangipahoa Parish Arena, Amite, LA
1999 Feb. 26 Co-Juror LSU Student Art Exhibit with Doug McCash and Steve Malanski, NOMA
1997 May, 30 Juror Salad Days Student Art Exhibit Slidell Cultural Center Slidell, LA
1997 March 11 State Judge Discover Card Tribute Awards Southeastern LA Univ. Hammond, LA
1993 November 9 Juror Student Art Exhibit Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
GUEST LECTURER
2019 September 3 “Artists and Viewers: a Complex Marriage”, St. Charles Art Guild, Destrahan, LA
2019 August 24 "Getting Abstract Art", Women's Group, The Art Station, Ponchatoula, LA
2019 June 4 “Artists and Viewers: a Complex Marriage”, The Art Station, Ponchatoula, LA
2019 February 7 “Getting Abstract Art”, SpeakArt series, The Art Station, Ponchatoula, LA
2018 November 28 “Abstract Art and Subliminal Spark: How to impress your friends on a Gallery Stroll”,
gallery 43, Roswell, GA
2014 October 30 “A Retrospective Chat” Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola, FL
2014 March “Writing Memoirs”, Celebration of the Word Literary Arts Festival, Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2013 July 1 “A Restrospective Chat” MBA Class, Southeastern La. Univ. Hammond, LA
2013 May 9 “A Retrospective Chat”, Arts Luncheon Series, Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond, LA
2011-18 “Riding the Trail', LA Northshore Quilt Trail presentations, 2011 to current
2010 October 22-23 “Lifelong Learning in the Arts” LAEA Fall Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
2010 May 11 Keynote Speaker “Creativity vs. Fear” Annual Donors Banquet, Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care System, New Orleans, LA
2009 October 9 “Creativity vs. Fear” LAEA Fall Conference SLU, Hammond, LA
2008 October 2 Art for Madisonville Speakeasy Gallery, Madisonville, LA
2000 November 10 Keynote Speaker Portraits of Courage Alzheimer’s Seminar, Alder’s Gate, Slidell, LA
1999 October 9 Creativity vs. Fear Workshop La. Art Education Assn. Fall Conference, SLU, Hammond
1999 August 13 American Geriatrics Society Conference, New Orleans, LA
1999 June 4 Training Program for Support Group Leaders, Greater N.O. Alzheimer’s Assn., N.O., LA
1999 Feb. 19 The Millennium & Geriatrics Conference--W. Florida Sr. Health Services Destin, FL
1998 October 2 Elmira, NY & October 3--Bath, NY Chemung & Steuben County Offices for the Aging
1997 November 19 Keynote Speaker Education Conf. Roanoke/Salem Alzheimer’s Assn. Roanoke, VA
1997 November 12 Keynote Speaker Peoples Home Health & Hospice Banquet N.O., LA
1997 November 6 Keynote Speaker Founders’ Club Banquet Atlanta Alzheimer’s Assn, Atlanta, GA
1997 October 18 Keynote Speaker Alzheimer’s Awareness Seminar Minnesota Lakes Alzheimer’s Assn. Minneapolis, MN
1997 October 1 Louisiana Nursing Home Assn. Convention New Orleans, LA
1997 April 9 Keynote Speaker, Health Forum Columbia Lakeview Regional Hospital Mandeville, LA
1997 March 25 Keynote Speaker Wilkerson Homes Hattiesburg, MS
1997 January 24 Keynote Speaker Alzheimer’s Conference University of NE LA Monroe, LA
1996 October 29 General Health Systems Baton Rouge General Health Center B.R. LA
1996 August 23 Keynote Speaker 3rd Annual Care for Alzheimer's Patients in Rural Communities, University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
1996 June 19 North Oaks Medical Center Lifecourse University Center SLU Hammond, LA
1996 April 26 Keynote Speaker So. Alabama Regional Alzheimer's Conference Mobile, AL
1996 January 11 Alzheimer's / Alabama Central University of Alabama in Birmingham
1995 November 10 Keynote Speaker Alzheimer's Seminar Big Stone Gap, VA
1995 October 17 Art Net Pro Workshop 'Surviving as an Artist' St. Tammany Art Assoc.Covington, LA
1995 May 15 Keynote Speaker & Creative Journaling Workshop Seminar on Older Persons,Abingdon, VA
1994 November 2 Rochester Alzheimer's Association Annual Seminar Memorial Art Gallery Rochester, NY
1994 July 21 S.W. Alabama Alzheimer's Association Annual Meeting Mobile, AL
1994 July 19 Greater N.O. Alzheimer's Association New Orleans, LA
1994 April 21 River Parishes Alzheimer's Support Group LaPlace, LA
1994 March 30 Capitol Home Health Volunteers Hammond, LA
1994 March 11-12 Arts Across the Curriculum Southwest Virginia Community College Richlands, VA
1994 January 11 Tangipahoa-Washington Alzheimer's Support Group Hammond, LA
1993 November 10 Elderly Services Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Baton Rouge, LA
1993 June 14 Audubon Living Center Inservice Hammond, LA
1992 September 30 St. Tammany Alzheimer's Support Group Covington, LA
1992 July 13 Psychiatric Services Charity Hospital New Orleans, LA
1992 June 15 Clark Hall Gallery Southeastern La. University Hammond, LA
1992 March 28 State Conference Mental Health Association of La. Baton Rouge, LA
1992 January 30 Board of Directors Installation Mental Health Association of La. Baton Rouge, LA
1991 April 12 SW Alabama Alzheimer's Association Support Group Mobile, AL
1991 January 28 DePaul Women's Guild New Orleans, LA
1990 September 5 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
2012 October Profiles on Canvas—Documentary of 6 artists-Louisiana Public Broadcasting
2002 June 5 Dr. Douglas Walker Radio Show, Hammond, LA
1999 January 9 WENY Elmira Senior Notebook Radio Show with Earl Barfoot, Elmira, NY
1997 November 5 WPCH-FM “Into the Night” with Sandy Weaver Atlanta, GA
1997 September Contemporary Psychology Review by Cameron J. Camp
1997 May 11 The News Banner “PAINted Diaries” by Chad Kirtland Covington, LA
1997 April 17 Times Picayune “Alzheimer’s seen through loving eyes” By Shawn Wright Covington, LA
1997 April 16 The News Banner “100 pack hospital to hear Alzheimer’s talk by area author” by Jo Sutherlin Covington, LA
1997 April 4 Tribune Media Services “In Your Prime” by Bard Lindeman
1997 April 3-10 Cox Cable Television “Louisiana Jukebox” New Orleans, LA
1997 February 12 Tribune Media Services “In Your Prime” by Bard Lindeman
1996 December Library Journal Review by Jodith Janes
1996 December 12 WDEL-FM Live with Donna Renae Wilmington, DL; Jeff Levell, Producer
1996 December 6 WFPR-AM The Morning Show with Mary Pirosko, Hammond, LA
1996 November 15 WALA-FOX 10 Noon with Nancy Pierce Mobile, AL
1996 November 12 Times Picayune “Keeping Memory Alive: Kim Zabbia writes and paints about her mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s” by Susan Larson; Review by Larson: “Dear Diaries”New Orleans, LA
1996 November 10 Sunday Advocate “A diary of courage: late writer used wit, humor, to cope with Alzheimer’s” by Danny Heitman Baton Rouge, LA
1996 October 3 Ponchatoula Times “Kim Howes Zabbia to sign her new book on Alzheimer’s adventure” by Bryan T. McMahon Ponchatoula, LA
1996 September 29 Daily Star “New in Print: Two local authors will sign newly published books this week” by Joan Davis Hammond, LA
1995 November 15 The Post 'Daughter Shares Mother's Battle with Alzheimer's' by Ida Holyfield
Big Stone Gap, VA
1994 July 17 WWNO-FM 'Inside the Arts' by Diane Mack New Orleans, LA
1994 April 5 Daily Star 'Alzheimer's Journey: Daughter Chronicles Mom's Fight' by Joan Davis Lifestyle Editor Hammond, LA
1994 March 23 Richlands News Press 'Mother, Daughter Take on Nine Year Battle' by Charlotte Williamson Richlands, VA
1993 March 19 Times Picayune, Lagniappe 'Canvassing Deep Emotions' by Chris Waddington Art Critic New Orleans, LA
1993 March 16 Gambit 'Inside Art: Mysteries of Mind and Body' by D. Eric Bookhardt Art Critic
New Orleans, LA
1993 March 14-18 CNN-TV 'Health Break: Alzheimer's Disease' North Oaks Medical Ctr. Hammond, LA
1992 Summer Southeastern Magazine Vol. 9, pg. 8-9 'Kim Zabbia: Explorations through Art, Voyage Back to the Womb' by John R. Kemp
1992 July 12 Times Picayune 'Imagining Alzheimer's: An artist's paintings chronicle her mother's 'Voyage Back to the Womb'' by John R. Kemp New Orleans, LA
1992 July 2 WCVB-TV 'Alzheimer's,' Producer Richard Ager Boston, MA
1992 July 2 KSLU-FM 'From a Woman's Point of View' Hammond, LA
1992 July 23 WWL-TV 'The Angela Show' Angela Hill New Orleans, LA
1992 May Omni Volume 14, No. 8, pg. 14 'Through the Looking Glass: The artist's subject is her mother, a victim of Alzheimer's' by Joe Dziemianowicz
1991 April 12 WKRG-TV Mobile, AL
