Biography

Born December 19th, 1949 in Mishawaka, Indiana, Van Vooren received a BA in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1972. Upon graduation he immediately began an intensive and ongoing self-instruction in visual art and art history. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1974 where he was a co-founding member of the Artist’s Co-op in 1975 that included 25 community artists, graduate students and instructors of Indiana University.

For nearly 40 years, Van Vooren has produced visual art in many media including drawing, pastel, oil, acrylic, and limestone. His work is represented in collections across Indiana, the nation, and many countries around the world. While continuing to produce pieces in paint and limestone, he is currently creating a new body of work combining photography and graphic media.

Van Vooren is also an accomplished amateur musician and songwriter who sings and plays saxophone, bass, guitar, and drums.