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John Burroughs School Welcomes Artist Chris Arnold for Special Homecoming Exhibition on the Curved WallSt. Louis, MO — The John Burroughs School is proud to present a new solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Chris Arnold, opening this fall in the school’s iconic Curved Wall exhibition space. A celebrated visual artist based in Chicago, Arnold returns to his roots with The Garden of Kith and Kin.
Curated by faculty members Donya Allison and Jessica Hunt, the exhibition invites the JBS community and public to experience Arnold’s richly layered work, which blends abstraction and realism to highlight environmental expressionism. Known for his focus on flora, fauna, and ecological themes, Arnold brings a deeply personal lens to this new series, connecting it directly to his upbringing in St. Louis County and his family’s current ties to the school, his two nieces are now both students, with the youngest beginning her first year this fall.
The Garden of Kith and Kin features four large-scale floral paintings that serve as visual stories with a connection to past, present, future and place. Rooted in Arnold’s Midwestern upbringing, the works invite viewers to discover both visible and hidden elements that reflect the artist’s personal ties to nature, his hometown, and the John Burroughs School community.
This exhibition comes on the heels of Arnold’s sellout show with Era Contemporary at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair earlier this summer. He will also be exhibiting new work this December at Context Art Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the art world’s most prestigious international fairs.
Chris Arnold’s exhibition on the Curved Wall will run from August 15, 2025, through January 5, 2026, and will be open to the public during designated school hours. A reception with the artist will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the gallery.
Exhibition Details
Title: The Garden of Kith & Kin by Chris Arnold
Curators: Donya Allison and Jessica Hunt
Open Reception: Friday, November 7, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: The Curved Wall, John Burroughs School
Getting There: Use the Clayton Road entrance at 9243 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124. From the Taylor Athletic Facility parking lot, enter the doors, turn left, and follow the hall to the Curved Wall.
About Chris Arnold
Chris Arnold is a St. Louis native and Chicago-based artist, illustrator, and professor whose work is held in private and public collections worldwide. He holds a BFA from the University of Missouri and an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. His environmentally focused paintings have been exhibited across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, with a recent feature in House Beautiful Magazine, a collaboration with the Ron Finley Project in Los Angeles, and an artist residency with the National Park Service. In addition to his studio practice, Arnold serves as the coordinator of the Illustration Program at Columbia College Chicago and regularly collaborates with organizations focused on environmental awareness and conservation.
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