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I pursued education in fine art because of my ability to draw. Lacking confidence in my artistic abilities at the time, I applied my natural curiosity about the world to the biological and physical sciences, ultimately earning a doctor of medicine degree and a masters in epidemiology. Throughout my public health career, I have applied my creativity where possible. As I transition into my retirement in my late fifties, I am committing my full-time energy to return to the fine arts and fulfill a journey I had begun as a child. Medicine and epidemiology have taught me how to think critically and to problem solve: skills I actively apply to my artistic ideas. I understand what inspires me to create and appreciate art and see that this is where our individuality lies. As I honor my parents by my actions, I am creating works related to my childhood and drawing from my own experiences allowing new ideas to form as I travel and consider masterpieces, architecture, nature and the state of our world.
Color, texture, tone, patterns, images and impact are the elements of art that stimulate my senses the most. I have reconnected with the Houghton Mifflin Reader series – a set of English curriculum textbooks used in the 1970s to educate elementary school children. Core concepts from these texts, titles and imagery inspired me as a boy to draw and paint and wonder about the world. Themes like Panorama, Kaleidoscope, Images and Galaxies have mapped out my current creative direction as I draw and paint complex landscapes, spirally-designed still lifes, human relationships and the universe. I plan on designing collages from a cache of intaglio prints I made in the 1990s that describe many of these educational concepts to further express my experiences as I interpret the world through my individual lens.
I am expanding my creative thinking and building technical abilities as I develop relationships in the Northeast United States and in the United Kingdom. As I return to the United States I am empowered to challenge the current Federal administration’s foolish and cruel policies. I am developing a set of images under the theme of “Not Going Anywhere”, a statement about queer lives and the reality of people living in this century. I am integrating galactic themes and global challenges as I design paintings that reflect the human condition and the subatomic nature of the universe. My fine arts masters thesis was titled “Organic Psychology and the Universe” – an exploration of structure and relationships that describe levels of the visual spectrum. I intend to continue making art with this underlying scientific curiosity at the forefront.
Steven J. Alles is an American born physician-artist based in Philadelphia USA with an annual creative sabbatical in Glasgow, United Kingdom. His work is mainly autobiographical as the artist uses himself as subject across the spectrum of gender to describe personal experiences and reactions to controversial public health and social equality topics. Glaswegian cityscapes, iconic Philadelphian architecture and fierce drag queens come together to describe emotional growth and the political pendulum of the 21st century. He now rents a studio in Philadelphia and is actively creating work in his expressive style with an evolving message of vulnerability, determination and equality.
2003, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD • Master of Science in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine GPA: 3.8
2001, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York (SUNY), Syracuse NY • Doctor of Medicine
1997, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY • Bachelor of Science, Major: Biology GPA: 4.0
1995, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY • Master of Fine Arts, Major: Painting, Minor: Printmaking GPA: 3.8
1989, Potsdam College, State University of New York (SUNY), Potsdam NY • Bachelor of Arts, Major: Painting GPA: 3.3
2025
Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, UK
Knock Back - Build Up – Advanced large scale drawing techniques
2025
Cerulean Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Painting and Poetry
2024
FEU Pottery Studio, Bordeux, France
Throwing and advanced pottery
2024
Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, UK
Open Studio in Large Portraiture (Big Heids)
2006 – 2007
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Throwing and advanced pottery
• Spring 2026
2026
Beauty, Nerve, and Metaphysics: Time Traveling Drag Queens Addressing Moral Injury, University Gallery James E Booth Hall, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
From Darkness to Madness, The Alchemy Experiment Art Space and Gallery, Glasgow, UK
2025
Steven Alles Exhibition, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow, UK
2024
Glasgow Green, and Red, and Purple…, Wasps at the Briggait, Glasgow, UK
1999
Borders Books and Music, Carousel Mall, Syracuse, NY
2026
Philadelphia Erotic Gallery and Sex Museum, Philadelphia, PAFreedom of Seventy-Sex, Philadelphia Erotic Gallery and Sex Museum, Philadelphia PA
Transcendent Musings, InLiquid at Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA
Democracy: United We Stand, Philadelphia Jewish Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Pancakes & Booze: Pop Up Exhibition, 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA
March for Art, InLiquid Annual Art Auction Fundraiser, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA
In Good Company, Annual Friend Invitational, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia PA
2025
Huddle $99 Exhibition, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA
Small Works To-Go, Abington Arts Center, Jenkintown, PA
Big Art Show 2025, The Art Department ,Paisley Scotland, UK
New Now VIII, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Glasgow Grey and Wet: Inspiring Three Creatives in Different Ways, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow, UK
2001
On My Own Time, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
2000
On My Own Time, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
1999
On My Own Time, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
1995
Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Bevier Gallery, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Painting and Printmaking Juried Exhibition, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
1992
Figure Paintings Exhibit, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Landscape Paintings Exhibit, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY
1991
Abstraction Exhibit, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
1989
Senior Honors Show, Gibson Gallery SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY
Annual Juried Student Art Show, Gibson Gallery SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY
2024
Made in Glasgow, The AC Collective, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow, UK
Awaken Your Dreams - ArtWell, Moore College of Art and Design Main Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1999
Novartis/MS JAMA, Frank Netter Art Contest Winner
2023 - present
Board Member, ArtWell – Awaken Your Dreams, Program Development Committee
2017 – 2020, total employment 2003 – 2020
Director – Division of Infectious Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
2005 – present
Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps
February 2025 - present
Vox Building Artist Studios, Philadelphia, PA
2023 – 2025
The Loom – Arts Organization, Philadelphia, PA
2024 – present
Wasps Briggait, Glasgow, UK
Matrix Communications Group Inc. Corporate Offices, Syracuse NY (3 pieces)
University of Rochester, Pain Management Center, Rochester NY (3 pieces)
