"There’s a lot out there competing for your gaze. I don’t want to waste your time."

- GABE DRUEKE

BIOGRAPHY

Gabe Drueke is an artist of many disciplines working in Southwestern Illinois just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. A University of Illinois trained graphic designer, Gabe has proven to be so much more over his past 30 years as an artist. While colorful murals and hand-painted signs are mainstays from recent years, a paradigm shift has launched Gabe into an unexpected exploration of abstract acrylic canvases. Utilizing tools that are familiar to his hand – lettering and pin-striping brushes – Gabe’s subjective works reveal a unique visual flavor. Combined with a laser sharp focus on craft, which extends to his expertly handmade frames, it is no surprise the work is quickly garnering attention.

Adept at any artistic discipline he attempts, Gabe received regional notoriety in 2006 when he created 120(+) relief-carved, cast-stone plaques for the St. Louis Cardinals which are installed in the brickwork of Busch Stadium. From the entry ways, to the towers and even the field wall behind home plate, Gabe’s work is spread generously throughout the facility and is enjoyed by millions of baseball fans each year.

Gabe currently resides in Smithton, IL, with his wife, Artemis, a Graphic Designer, and their daughters, Pella and Tessa. Always driven by a desire for self-improvement and that next level of achievement, Gabe jumped at the chance to become an Industrial Arts teacher at nearby Freeburg Community High School in the fall of 2024. As a welding and construction trades instructor, he shares his diverse expertise in both the trades and fine arts with the next generation—channeling his passion into inspiring young minds while still finding time to create.”

Curriculum Vitae

Solo & Group Exhibitions

2025

Radiate Series – Duo Exhibition // Reiners Gallery – Schmidt Art Center // Southwestern Illinois College // Belleville, IL  // August 14 – September 17, 2025

 

2024

Beyond The Forge – Solo Exhibition // Catapult Gallery – Southeast Missouri State University // Cape Girardeau, MO // October 4 – 25, 2024

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

2025

31st Cedarhurst Biennial Competition // The Mitchell Museum’s New Semantics Gallery // Mt. Vernon, IL // June 27 – September 21, 2025

 

2024

Abstract National Exhibition // Mark Arts // Wichita, KS

Broken Hearts // Soulard Art Gallery // St. Louis, MO

Shrode Fine Art & Craft Exhibit // Cedarhurst Center for the Arts // Mt. Vernon, IL

Liturgical and Sacred Art Exhibition // Springfield Art Association // Springfield, IL

Portals & Passages // MVA Gallery // Bethlehem, PA

Everyone Belongs Under The Sun // The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri // Cape Girardeau, MO

Statewide Illinois Artist Showcase // Springfield Art Association // Springfield, IL

Members Exhibition // St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

2023

Visions of Form & Space // St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

Beyond Belief // St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

SouthWorks // The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation // Watkinsville, GA

Attractive Energy // Soulard Art Gallery // St. Louis, MO

Scapes // Stola Contemporary Art // Chicago, IL

Members Exhibition // St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

64ARTS // Buchanan Center for the Arts // Monmouth, IL

October National // Gallery 510 // Decatur, IL

Juried Regional Exhibition // The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri // Cape Girardeau, MO

Art Saint Louis XXXIX // Art Saint louis // St. Louis, MO

Momentum // Manifest Gallery // Cincinnati, OH

Ann Metzger National Biennial Exhibition // St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

LAMINATOR! Magazine // Artists on the Lam // Chicago, IL

Deck the Halls // Soulard Art Gallery // St. Louis, MO

AWARDS

2024

2nd Place // PHASE 5 // Everyone Belongs Under the Sun // The Arts Council of Southeastern Missouri // Cape Girardeau, MO

2023

2nd Place // IGNITE // Visions of Form & Space  // St. Louis Artist’s Guild // St. Louis, MO

Curator’s Choice // IGNITE // Attractive Energy // Soulard Art Gallery // St. Louis, MO

Honorable Mention // MESSENGER // Regional Juried Exhibition // The Arts Council of Southeastern Missouri // Cape Girardeau, MO

People’s Choice // AMERICAN STANDARD // Regional Juried Exhibition // The Arts Council of Southeastern Missouri // Cape Girardeau, MO

Award of Merit // PURIFICATION #2 // Deck the Halls // Soulard Art Gallery // St. Louis, MO

2022

Public Mural Award // “WELCOME TO THE LOO!” // MEEP With Balloons // Waterloo, IL

2021

Public Mural Award // “ I LOVE WATERLOO!” // T-REX on Skateboard // Waterloo, IL

PERMANENT ART INSTALLATIONS

2020

Information Center Mural Panels (5 total) // Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam // U.S. Army Corps of Engineers // Modoc, IL

2009

Roscoe Misselhorn Bronze Statuette // Misselhorn Art Gallery // Sparta, IL

2006

120(+) decorative, cast-stone architectural plaques // Busch Stadium // St. Louis, MO

rotating INSTALLATIONS

2023

Owen Dental // Smithton, IL

media & engagements

2024

representation

ASSOCIATIONS

2023

St. Louis Artists’ Guild // St. Louis, MO

 

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I want my work to be the first thing you see when you walk in and the last thing you think about when you walk out. When I do it right is when you love it and you don’t even know why.

Original works and prints available

For purchase info contact us here or reach out via email hello@gabedrueke.com.

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