BIOGRAPHY

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Ian Kloster​ is an illustrator, educator, and community-engaged artist whose practice bridges the studio, the classroom, and public space. His narrative style paintings feature layered, vivid colors that illuminate contemporary political and social issues through dreamlike compositions. Inspired by the pictorial conventions of the Renaissance, American illustrators, and animation, his work juxtaposes human, animal, and inanimate figures in familiar yet surreal landscapes that question our present reality and imagine alternative futures. 

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Ian's artistic practice explores interpersonal connection, belonging, and the transformative power of creative expression. While engaging with controversy and apocalyptic themes, his work maintains a playful spirit infused with hope for collective change. 

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Beyond the studio, Ian serves as a High School Visual Arts Educator in the Greater Atlanta area and a Board Member for Stitching Change Inc., a non-profit empowering immigrant and refugee women through entrepreneurship and textile arts. His illustration work has appeared in international publications, and his community arts initiatives have included founding a screen printing shop and an art education studio that emphasize accessible, collaborative creativity. His experience serving as a Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteer has deeply informed his commitment to socially engaged art practice. 

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Whether painting in his studio, teaching in the classroom, or collaborating with community organizations, Ian approaches his work with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making art that matters.