About
Frank Olt’s abstract work form a unique hybrid of ceramics and painting in the New York school tradition. Forged in his signature style, they combine ceramic media and glazing components with mixed media; rich hues from encaustics bring together the small not-quite-symmetrical abstract pieces in a way that sometimes recalls the color field artists, though often suggesting landscape.
Although a practitioner of more traditional ceramic techniques, many of Olt’s works fuse painted canvases and ceramics; this contrasts the glossy surfaces of glazed pottery with the elegant linen painted using encaustic (heated beeswax and colored pigment that cools and affixes to the canvas). Known for this innovative harmonizing of materials as well as painterly use of interesting glazes, his recent work also continues experimentation in releasing discernible subjects from the layered elements; machines as well as horizons, suns, and cloud forms.
Frank Olt is an artist and professor at Long Island University whose studio practice focuses on ceramics and painting. He is a former artist-in- residence at MoMA P.S.1. He studied with Bauhaus artist Rose Krebs. Olt exhibited and has collectors nationally and internationally. His commissions include all ceramic art at the 23rd & Ely subway station through the NYC Arts for Transit program and Bellevue Hospital. His work was exhibited recently in a one-person show in the Contemporary Gallery at Nassau County Museum of Art.
EXHIBITIONS
“Fiat Ignis III: Let There Be Fire,” Ceramic Art Exhibition, Gallery 60, New York, NY, December 2025.
“At Play,” Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY, June – November 2025 (essay).
“Quixotic,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2025.
“Errands,” Gallery One Twenty Eight, New York, NY, May 2025.
“20th Annual Tokyo – New York Friendship Ceramic Exhibition,” Ceramic Artist Friendship
Association, Inc., Nippon Gallery, the Nippon Club, New York, NY, May 2025.
“Rebel Revel,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ, April 2025.
“Oakcliff Art Show,” Oakcliff Sailing Center, Oyster Bay, NY, April 2025.
“The Wave,” The Wave Gallery, New York, NY, March 2025.
“(In)Figuration,” Space 776, New York, NY, December 2024 – January 2025.
“Fiat Ignis II: Let There Be Fire,” Ceramic Art Exhibition, Gallery 60, New York, NY, December 2024 – January 2025.
“Seeing Red,” Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY, July 2024 – January 2025. (Catalog and Gallery Talk)
Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson Art Auction, Skyline Country Club, Tucson, AZ, December 2024.
“Contours & Strokes,” Gallery 60, New York, NY, October 2024.
“Bailey House Art House,” The Bowery Hotel, New York, NY, June 2024.
“FUTURO,” Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, New York, NY April 2024.
“Frank Olt at Volta,” Volta Art Fair, New York, NY September 2024. Solo Show.
“American Dream,” Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay, NY, April – September 2024.
“The Birch,” Gallery 60, New York, NY, February – March 2024.
“Holy Fame!” Space 776, New York, NY, December 2023 – January 2024.
“Holiday Art Show,” Tamalou, Locust Valley, NY, December 2023.
“Fiat Ignis: Let There Be Fire,” Ceramic Art Exhibition, Gallery 60, New York, NY, December 2023.
“The Meadow Art Show, the Meadow in Centre Island, Oyster Bay, NY, September 2023.
“Post No Art,” Space 776, New York, NY, August 2023.
“Beyond the Elements,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2023.
“Monument,” Glen Hansen Studio, Southold, NY, July – August 2023.
“Framed,” Frame Gallery, Port Washington, NY, May 2023.
Provincetown Film Society Winter Auction, February 2023.
“Group Text,” Yellow Cat Gallery & 326 Gallery, New York, NY, January 2023.
“Kiln Gods,” Space 776, New York, NY, December 2022 – January 2023.
“Beyond Pink,” Princeton MarketFair, Princeton, NJ, October 2022.
“Beyond Gatsby,” North Shore Land Alliance, October 2022.
“Detachments,” Space 776, New York, NY, September, October 2022.
“SPRING/BREAK,” Madison Avenue, New York, NY, September 2022.
“mtn – Summer Installation,” mtn Gallery, Lake Worth, FL, Summer 2022.
“Thought About That,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2022.
“Imagine,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, July 2022.
“The Big Duck,” Glen Hansen Studio, Southold, NY, June 2022.
“Spring Into Collecting,” Alex Ferrone Gallery, Cutchogue, NY, May 2022.
“War and Peace,” The Royal @ RSOAA, Brooklyn, NY, April 2022 – May 2022.
“The Color Yellow,” Glen Hansen Studio, Southold, NY, April 2022 – May 2022.
“Evolutions,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2021.
“Frank Olt New and Recent Works: ceramics and paintings,” Space 776, New York, NY, March – April 2021. Solo Show.
“Doors Opening,” mtn space, Lake Worth Beach, FL, January 2021.
“Locally Sourced, Collecting Long Island Artists,” Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY, December 2019 – March 2020.
“The Seasons,” Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY, November 2019 – March 2020.
“Come Together Right Now,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2019.
“Master Class: COLOR,” The Manes Center, Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY,
September 2018 – January 2019.
“Linden Hill/After Life,” Bushwick Open Studio Project, Brooklyn, NY, September 2018.
“KERAMOS 2,” Space 776, Brooklyn, NY, August 2018.
“Put Yourself Out There,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2017.
“Land and See,” Atrium Art Gallery, Westhampton Beach, NY, May 2017.
“Lenka Clayton Project,” The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA, March 2017.
“Beach Memories,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2016.
“Feast for the Eyes,” curated by Franklin Hill Perrell, Nassau County Museum, Roslyn, NY, July – November 2016.
“Keramos,” Space 776, Brooklyn, NY, November 2014.
“Tria Summer Cocktail,” Tria Gallery, New York, NY, July – September 2014.
“Lost and Found,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2014.
“Frank Olt and Franklin Hill-Perrell,” Tria Gallery, New York, NY, June 2014. Two-Person Show.
“The World is Not Enough,” Salamatina Gallery at ArtHamptons 2014, Bridgehampton, NY, July 2014.
“Art Day @ Paramount Bay,” in connection with Art Basel, Miami, FL, December 2013.
“Frank Olt Recent Work,” Drury and Grosvenor Center for the Arts, St. George’s School, Middletown, RI, September-October 2013. Solo Show.
“L.I. Connection II,” ARPNY, bcs Gallery, Long Island City, NY, September 2013.
Kips Gallery @ Red Dot Miami, Miami, FL, December 2012.
“Frank Olt: New Works,” KIPS Gallery, New York, NY, October 2012. Solo Show.
“Absorbed By Color, Art in the 20th Century,” The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY, August – December 2012. (Brochure)
“The Colors of Summer,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2012.
“Matters of the heART,” curated by Edward Batcheller, American Heart Association @
Ferrari-Maserati of Long Island, Plainview, NY, June 2012.
Exchange Exhibition, May, 2012
-Sungshin Women’s University, S101 Gallery, Seoul, Korea.
-Honam University, Himec Gallery, Gwangju, Korea.
-Keimyung University, Gukje Art Museum, Daegu, Korea.
-University of Ulsan, Art Space UOU, Ulsan, Korea.
The 8th GIAF (GwangHwaMun International Art Festival), Seoul, Korea, April 2012. (Catalog)
“The Artist in Place: The First Ten Years of MoMA PS1,” Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, MoMA, New York, NY, January 2012.
Group Show, Lynda Anderson Gallery, Americana, Manhasset, NY, December 2011 – March 2012.
“Faculty Show,” Hillwood Museum, Brookville, NY, December 2011.
“Ul San University & Long Island University Exchange Exhibition,” Hutchins Gallery, Brookville, NY, December 2011.
“Woodfire,” Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, December 2011.
“Ripped: The Allure of Collage,” The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY, October 2011-January 2012.
“Rotation: A Selection of Gallery Artists,” Lohin-Geduld Gallery, New York, NY, July-August 2011.
“The Ties That Bind,” The Second Avenue Firehouse Gallery, Bay Shore, NY, July-September 2011.
“Ray Johnson and a Book About Death,” S.A.L. Gallery, Long Island University, Greenvale, NY, Oct. 31-Nov.5, 2010.
“Imprints,” Point O’Woods Arts Association, Point O’Woods, NY, August 2010.
“Inspiring Spaces: 25 Years of MTA Arts for Transit,” New York Transit Museum, New York, NY, June 2010-March 2011.
“The Heckscher at 90: Then and Now,” The Heckscher of Art, Huntington, NY, May-July 2010.
“Spatial Play,” The International Arts Movement, New York, NY, May–June 2010.
“Selections From the Permanent Collection,” The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY, April 2010.
“Art For Haiti,” Lohin Geduld Gallery, New York, NY, March 2010.
“Frank Olt: New Paintings,” Salamatina Gallery, Manhasset, NY, February-March 2010. Solo Show (Catalog).
“Relationships,” the Power of Space Gallery at Heatley Studio, Sag Harbor, NY, October 2009.
“Dialogue: Sculpture by Alain Kirili/Painting by Frank Olt,” Nassau County Museum of Art,
Roslyn, NY, June-September 2009. Two-Person Show.
“Drawing Atlas,” Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster, PA, August 2009. (Catalog).
Affordable Art Fair (Tria Gallery), New York City, NY, May 2009.
“Circle of Friends,” Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, NY, May 2009.
“Abstract Paintings,” Lynda Anderson Gallery, April-May 2009.
“Frank Olt,” Tria Gallery, New York, NY, April 2009. Solo Show.
“Frank Olt: Recent Work,” Lohin Geduld Gallery, New York, NY, February – March 2009.
Two-Person Show with Yvonne Thomas.
Group Show, Grand Bohemian Gallery, Savannah, GA, October 2007.
“Artists Choose Artists,” POW Arts Association, Fire Island, NY, August 2007.
“Along the Way: MTA Arts for Transit,” UBS Art Gallery, New York, NY, June – September 2005.
“Made of Clay,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY, May-June 2007.
“New and Recent Works,” Anderson Gallery, Locust Valley, NY, April 2007. Solo Show.
“Recent Work,” Gallery Maru Sankaku Shikaku, Kyoto, Japan, May 2006. Solo Show.
“Frank Olt,” Dillon Gallery, Oyster Bay, NY, February 2005. Solo Show.
“Frank Olt New Work,” Great Neck Arts Center, Great Neck, NY, January-March 2005. Solo Show.
“New Work,” Gallery Maru Sankaku Shikaku, Kyoto, Japan, July 2004. Solo Show.
“Open Studio,” 450 W. 15th Street, New York, NY, November 2001. Solo Show.
“New & Recent Work,” Dolan Gallery, Friends Academy, Locust Valley, NY November-December 1999. Solo Show.
“Size Matters,” Gale Gates Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, September-December 1999.
“Portrait Show,” Jorgensen Gallery, New York, NY, June-August 1999.
“Road Show,” DFN Gallery, New York, NY, June-August 1999.
“94 Days of Summer,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY, June-September 1999.
“A Room with a View,” Sixth @ Prince Fine Art, New York, NY, May-July 1999.
“Save the Teens,” Auction, China Club, New York, NY, May 1999.
“NCECA Show,” Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio, March 1999.
“Ray Johnson Remembered,” Square Foot Gallery, Sea Cliff, NY, June 1997.
“Painting and Sculpture,” Wainscott Gallery, Wainscott, NY, November 1996.
“International Art Exhibition,” Kookje Cultural Center, Pusan, Korea, September 1996.
“Wall Works,” Kyung Pook Sanup Gallery, Taegu, Korea, August 1996.
Group Show, R.V.S. Fine Art, Southampton, NY, August 1996.
“Different Visions,” Harbor Cove Gallery Sag Harbor, NY, August-September 1995.
“Director’s Choice Selections,” Contemporary Gallery at Marywood University, Scranton, PA, November-February 1995.
“Fiction, Formation, Figuration,” Gallery Korea, Korean Consulate, New York, NY, June 1994.
“Twenty Years Today,” Islip Art Museum, Islip, NY, February-March 1993.
“Relief Sculpture,” Salenas Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, July-August 1992.
“Seventh Annual National Exhibition,” San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX, April-May 1992. (Poster)
“Sculpture Exhibited,” Scott Gallery, Southampton, NY, June-August 1989.
“Red Hearts, Flying Cupids,” Wunch Art Center, Glen Cove, NY, February-March 1989.
“U.N. International Day of Peace Exhibition,” Pak Sang Gallery, Seoul, Korea, May 1988.
“Drawings,” Paul Cava Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, February 1988.
“Solo Exhibition,” Hillwood Museum, Brookville, NY, August – September 1987.
Solo Show. (Catalog)
“Great Lakes Show,” Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL, June-July 1987.
“Two Person Exhibition,” Studio Connection, Southampton, NY, June-July 1987.
“Transformations,” Flushing Council on the Arts, New York, NY, April-May 1987; and
Rockland Center for the Arts, Rockland, NY, February 1987.
“International Exhibition of Art,” New Core, Seoul, Korea, August-September 1986. (Catalog)
“House and Garden,” Tenth Anniversary Exhibition, Nassau County Museum of Art,
Roslyn, NY, October 1986-January 1987.
“Three Sculptors,” Traveling Exhibition
-Galerie Interaction, Montreal, Canada, April 1983.
-Le Muse de Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, Canada, December 1982-January 1983.
-La Galerie D’Art Mantane, Quebec, Canada, October-November 1982.
“Indoor and Outdoor Sculpture,” Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY,
August-October 1982.
“Paintings,” Homage Gallery, Edgartown, MA, July-August 1981.
“Work from the Permanent Collection,” Alternative Museum, New York, NY, May-June 1981.
“Artworks by Nine New York Artists,” Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA,
October-November 1980.
“Open Studio Exhibition,” P.S.1, Long Island City, NY, May-June 1980.
“Seven Artists,” P.S.1, April-June 1980.
“Queens Museum Annual,” New York, NY, January-March 1980.
“Let There Be Light,” Alternative Center for International Art, New York, NY, October-
November 1979.
“Open Studio Exhibition,” P.S.1, Long Island City, NY, May-June 1979.
“The Detective Show,” Gorman Park, New York, NY, June 1978.
“Open Studio Exhibition,” P.S.1, Long Island City, NY, May-June 1978.
“Ten Windows,” Tenth Avenue at Fifty Fourth Street, New York, NY, January 1978.
“Artists Choose Artists,” P.S.1, Long Island City, NY, 1977.
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) Library, New York, NY Catalog #8163740 Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY LIU/Post, Brookville, NY Konggi Museum, Sowon, Korea Kyung Sung University, Pusan, Korea Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn, NY North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY COMMISSIONS
Heckscher Museum, Huntington, NY
M.T.A. Arts for Transit, New York, NY
Ceramics Monthly Magazine, Westerville, OH
Islip Art Museum, Islip, NY
Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
Marywood University, Scranton, PA
Woodhull Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
Friends Academy, Locust Valley, NY
1992 1978 New York City Art for Transit
23rd Street and Ely Avenue Station, Long Island City, NY
Four Wall Sculptures with Mosaics
Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY
Sixty-six-piece modular ceramic wall sculpture
VISITNG ARTIST/FELLOWSHIPS/HONORS
Honoree, “A Benefit to Celebrate Achievement,” The Heckscher Museum of Art,
Huntington, NY, December 5, 2009.
Invited Visiting Artist, Konggi Museum, Sowon, Korea, July 2000.
Invited Visiting Artist, International Art School, Teagu, Korea, August 1996.
Robert Lehman Foundation Grant, Visiting Artist, Friends Academy, Locust Valley, NY,
November 1990.
Studio Residency, P.S.1, Long Island City, NY, 1977-1980.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sandra Bloodworth and Cheryl Hageman, “Contemporary Art Underground,”
MTA Arts & Design New York, 2025
Will Sheeline, “Understanding the American Dream,” Long Island Herald, September 2024.
Long Island Weekly review of Seeing Red mentioned Frank Olt, Fall 2024.
Chunbum Park, Ceramics as the Art of Letting Go, Tussle Magazine, a review of Fiat Ignis
II: Let There Be Fire, 2024.
J. Scott Orr, Volta 2024: The Salt in NYC Fall Art Week Stew, BSceneZine,
September 2024.
Franklin Hill Perrell, Catalog for Seeing Red, July 2024.
John Feckner, The Detective Show, published by Studio Bergina and Bio Editions, 2022.
Franklin Hill Perrell, “Frank Olt – Parts 1, 2 and 3,” Artful Circle August 2022.
Daniels, Jean and Balderston-Glynn, Ann. Meet Frank Olt, Cove Living. May 2019.
Evans, Dan. “All Island Art Show.” Fire Island Tide, August 2013.
The MoMA PS1 Archives. www.moma.org/learn/resources/archives/ps1 archives. 2012.
Wixted, Kevin. For Immediate Release. Lohin Geduld Gallery 2004-2011, New York, NY.
2012. www.blurb.com/books/3310163-for-immediate-release-mkw.
Dan Evans, “Point O’Woods Art Show.” Fire Island Tide, August 2012.
Martha Schwendener, “At the Heckscher, Works Torn From Life.” New York Times,
December 8, 2011.
Steve Parks, “ART: ‘A Way with Words’ at Heckscher.” Newsday, December 7, 2011.
Dan Evans, “Imprints in Point O’ Woods.” Fire Island Tide, August 20, 2010.
Pat Rogers, “Frank Olt: “Architectural Spaces Abstracted.” Long Island Pulse,
April 19, 2010.
Pat Rogers, “The Art of Frank Olt: Challenges in Paint and Materials.” Long Island Pulse,
July 2009.
Oksana Salamatina, “Frank Olt: New Paintings.” Frank Olt: New Paintings Catalog,
February 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9825705-3-1).
Franklin Hill Perrell, “Frank Olt: New Paintings.” Frank Olt: New Paintings Catalog,
February 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9825705-3-1).
Kenneth Wayne, “Frank Olt: New Paintings.” Frank Olt: New Paintings Catalog,
February 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9825705-3-1).
Robin Ahrens, “Frank Olt: New Paintings.” Frank Olt: New Paintings Catalog,
February 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9825705-3-1).
Ro Lohin, “Drawing Atlas.” Drawing Atlas Catalog, August 2009.
Center Stage, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, “Masters and Mentors: Faculty in the
Arts,” inside back page feature article, Fall 2008.
Christopher Robbins, “Social Pulse,” Elements, Summer 2007.
Franklin Hill Perrell, “Recent Works by Frank Olt.” Solo Show.
Recent Works by Frank Olt Catalog. Lynda Anderson Galleries 2007.
Sandra Bloodworth and William S. Ayres, Along the Way: MTA Arts for Transit, 2006.
David Henley, Clayworks in Art Therapy: Plying the Sacred Circle, 2002.
Dave Frattini, Dave, The Underground Guide to New York City Subways, 2000.
“Ceramics Monthly Collection Grows.” Ceramics Monthly September 1999.
King, Peter. Architectural Ceramics. Lark Books 1999.
NCECA Show Catalog 1999.
“Road Show.” NY Arts Cover Photo June 1999.
American Ceramic Society Catalog, March 1999.
Robert Long, Robert. The Southampton Press, August 29, 1996.
Helen Harrison, Helen. New York Times, March 5, 1989.
Gail S. Davidson, Public Art Program, 1989.
K. Lipson, “Three Part Harmony,” Newsday, September 4, 1987.
Newsday Sunday. Published Photo, August 30, 1987.
Judish Collischan, “Frank Olt.” Frank Olt Catalog, 1987.
Helen Harrison, New York Times, March 16, 1986.
K. Lipson, Newsday, March 12, 1986.
Janice Parente and Phyllis Stigliano, “The House and Garden: Tenth Anniversary
Exhibition.” The Tenth Anniversary Exhibition Catalog, October 1985.
Phyllis Braff, “Review,” New York Times, September 19, 1982.
Robert Pincus-Witten, “Queens Museum Annual,” Queens Museum Catalog, January 1980.
Ronny Cohen, “Review.” Artforum, April 1980.
Carlo Lamagna, “Let There Be Light.
” Let There Be Light Catalog. October 1979.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1997 – Present 1991 – 1997 1988 – 1991 1984 – 1988 1981 – 1984 1977 – 1980 Full Professor of Art, LIU/Post
Associate Professor of Art, LIU/Post
Assistant Professor of Art, LIU/Post
Assistant Professor of Art, Southampton College
Art Teacher, Friends Academy
Studio Residency, P.S.1/MoMA, NYC
EDUCATION
M.F.A., 1980 & B.F.A, 1978, Long Island University
1975-1980 Studio Assistant to the Bauhaus potter Rose Krebs