ABOUT THE ARTIST
Saara Knapp is a Finnish-American artist based in Florence, Italy and the Hudson Valley of New York, USA. After completing a B.S. in Biological Anthropology and Evolutionary Studies from Binghamton University in 2016, she now uses her scientific and analytical background to help her navigate, transcribe, and translate the world around her with her artistic works.
She graduated from The Florence Academy of Art’s full-time painting program in December of 2021, and now works out of her Florence-based studio producing landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and figurative works. Along with her painting practice, she has the opportunity to regularly teach at The Florence Academy of Art as a Principal Instructor in the 6-Week Intensive Course and contribute as a writer for The FAA Collective.
Saara's works can be found in private collections throughout the world, and she has participated in exhibitions in the USA, Europe, and Asia.
An online living archive of Saara’s works can be found at www.instagram.com/saarakart
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Binghamton University
BS in Biological Anthropology and Biological Sciences, Certificate in Evolutionary Studies, May 2016
The Florence Academy of Art
Certificate Diploma, Painting (3 years), December 2021
EXHIBITIONS/PERFORMANCES
2023
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The North, Group Exhibition at ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai, UAE with Dastaangoi Gallery
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Art and Music “Flash Mob” in conjunction with the Real Collegio di Lucca during the Lucca Summer Festival, live plein air landscape painting from the city wall of Lucca.
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Summer Faculty Exhibition, Group Exhibition, The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
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16th ARC International Salon, Online Salon, Art Renewal Center
2022
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The North at Dastaangoi Gallery in Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Summer Faculty Exhibition, Group Exhibition, The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
2021
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Art and Music Event at Toscanella Osteria in Florence, Italy.
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Fruits of Summer Exhibition 2021, Group Exhibition, The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
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Production Assistant for Move My Blood dance performances in Kefalonia, Greece (Dir. Jenn Rose), with the support of the Ionion Center for the Arts and Culture.
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Live Group Exhibition and painting demonstration at the XXVII Edizione of Artigianato e Palazzo in Florence, Italy.
2020
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2020 Student Exhibition, Online Group Exhibition, The Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
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Vedere de la fereastră, Online Group Exhibition, curated by the Universitatea "Ovidius" din Constanța, Facultatea de Arte, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania.
2016
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Exhibited in Open Studio, Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Building at Binghamton University, Vestal, NY, USA.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2023
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Winner Certificate for “A Portrait of Rakaposhi Mountain” distinguished in the 59th Artavita Online Art Contest
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Honored Recognition at The Florence Academy of Art’s 2023 End of Year Graduation and Awards Ceremony
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Runner-Up in Arte in Loco: Horizons of a Genius, Plein Air Painting Competition sponsored by Plein Air Magazine and others.
2022
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Finalist in 16th ARC International Salon for Shannice After the Ball in the "Fully From Life" category.
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Selected for inaugural group of painters in Dastaangoi’s Plein Air Tour of Hunza Valley, Pakistan
2021
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Featured student portrait artist in Episode 4 of James May: Our Man in Italy on Amazon’s Prime Video (Filmed at The FAA, Florence, Italy).
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Work-Study Scholarship Award - The Florence Academy of Art
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Honorable Mention - FAA Collective on Patreon’s Artistic Challenge for Landscapes.
2020
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Work-Study Scholarship Award - The Florence Academy of Art
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Selected Entry in the A View From Your Room Competition (online) - The Florence Academy of Art
2019
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Work-Study Scholarship Award - The Florence Academy of Art