Jon Coffelt

Johnny Lee Coffelt born (May 16, 1963) is an American artist who lives and works in Brooklyn New York City.

Coffelt paints, sculpts, sews, makes book arts, and curates art exhibitions.

Coffelt was born to Dorcas Ann (née Shadrick) and John Henry Coffelt and has two sisters, Joanna and Janie.

Coffelt was raised in the East Tennessee mountains in the town of Palmer and the community of Griffith Creek near Whitwell, Tennessee.

Coffelt has been painting since he was eight years old when his grandfather, John Ervin Coffelt taught him how to paint.

Coffelt still considers himself a colorist.

Coffelt's career began in the fashion industry designing clothing as well as fabric for Willi Smith in the 1980s.

Once he decided to devote his full energies to art he was commissioned by Jim Mitchell to paint over 100 works for the Parisian Department Store chain.

In 1989 Coffelt received "Outstanding Ten Year Alumnus Award" from Southern Institute.

Coffelt was the inaugural artist at Space One Eleven founded by Anne Arrasmith and Peter Prinz, when it opened in 1989 in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1991 Coffelt was commissioned by Absolut Vodka to kick off its "Absolut Statehood" campaign representing the state of Alabama; the result was shown in publications such as USA Today, Time, Out and Science Digest.

At 28 years old, Coffelt was the youngest artist ever commissioned by Absolut Vodka.

From 1993 until 2001 Coffelt, with former partner Shawn Boley and Janet Hughes, owned and operated Agnes (gallery), a gallery devoted to socially aware photography, short film/video and book arts.

From 1994 to 1996, Coffelt served as editor and publisher of Alabama Art Monthly.

In 2002 Coffelt closed the gallery in order to move to New York and give his own art undivided attention.

Over the last several years his work has been shown across the United States and in many overseas exhibits.

ISBN 978-0764353420