Statement / Bio

Joe Schaeffer (b. 1990) is a graphic designer, artist, and educator based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He teaches as Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Sioux Falls and co-owns Norse Art Space, a contemporary art gallery focused on fostering dialogue and connection through the arts.

Schaeffer’s personal art and design practice explores the overlap between commercial design and fine art. His work moves between abstraction and structure, examining how visual language functions across contexts—and how art can remain accessible within a culture shaped by branding and commerce.

The forms in his work stem from early, vivid encounters with street art and graffiti seen as a child visiting family in California. Without formal exposure to museums or galleries at a young age, these layered, urgent visuals became his first blueprint for what art could be. Rather than direct references, his compositions are distilled impressions—shapes and gestures remembered, reimagined, and reassembled.

Schaeffer’s work seeks not to tell stories, but to evoke memory: marks that feel familiar but resist recognition, forms that hint at language without fully speaking it. Through this process, he revisits that first spark of visual impact—translating it through the lens of time, design, and experience.

Group Exhibitions

2025 | Imprint, Norse Art Space, Sioux Falls, SD

2024 | Back to Essence, Norse Art Space, Sioux Falls, SD

2024 | ArtWalk NY, NY, NYC

2023 | SeeSaw, Ipso Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2023 | Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk, Sioux Falls, SD

2023 | Department of Art Faculty & Alumni Exhibition, Jeschke Art Gallery, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD

2023 | South Dakota Governor's 10th Biennial Art Exhibition, South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, SD

2023 | XX: 20 Sculptures Celebrating 20 Years of SculptureWalk, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Bates Trimble Heartland Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2023 | Lucky Numbers, Ipso Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2022 | Painting Show 2022, Hair & Nails, Minneapolis, MN

2022 | Department of Art Faculty & Alumni Exhibition, Jeschke Art Gallery, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD

2022 | Department of Art Alumni Exhibition, John A. Day Gallery, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

2021 | 100 Years of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Bates Trimble Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2021 | Catalyst - 60th Annual Arts Night Exhibition, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Everist Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2021 | South Dakota Governor's 9th Biennial Art Exhibition, South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, SD

2021 | On The Edge, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Bates Trimble Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2020 | Agents of Change, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Everist Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2020 | Art in Context - International Artist Invitation Exhibition, Artlaozi Online Space

2020 | Canis Latrans | University of South Dakota MFA, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Shultz Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | Seams of Form, University of South Dakota, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD

2019 | Finding Rothko [Drawing Performance], South Dakota Symphony, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | White Ribbon, IPSO Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | Reflection: Inspiration From NYC, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

2018 | Not For Sale, Washington Street Arts Center, Vermillion, SD

2018 | Stillwell Exhibition, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

2017 | Stillwell Exhibition, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

2016 | Design Sioux Falls, Exposure Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2013 | International Urban Media Design Conference, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Solo Exhibitions

2024 | SKU, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center - Jerstad Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2020 | Loose Prospects, University of Sioux Falls, Jeschke Art Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | Joe Schaeffer: Works, Rehfeld’s Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | Joe Schaeffer: Works, Museum of Visual Materials, Sioux Falls, SD

2019 | Design Talks: Joe Schaeffer, Sioux Falls Design Center, Sioux Falls, SD

2018 | Joe Schaeffer: Works, JLG Architects, Sioux Falls, SD

2018 | Joe Schaeffer: Works, Sioux Falls Arts Council Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD

Collections

Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center Permanent Collection, Sioux Falls, SD

Midwest Fidelity Partners Corporate Collection, Sioux Falls, SD

Startup Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD

Press

2021 | Interview with Sioux Falls Gallery

2020 | Interview with The Volante

2018 | 605 Magazine

2018 | Interview with SiouxFalls.Business

2018 | Argus Leader

Education

2019 | MFA - Graphic Design, Department of Art, University of South Dakota

2013 | BFA - Graphic Design, Department of Art, University of South Dakota