MHHS Graduate ‘Comes Full Circle’ with Installation of Artwork at Department of Education Building

September 3rd, 2025

Kirk Seese showed interest in art at an early age. As he got older, that interest grew. But it wasn’t until he was taking art at Mt. Hebron High School (MHHS) that he began to give serious thought to pursuing a career in art.

“Mark Coates (who then taught art at MHHS) helped me to realize that it was possible to become a professional artist,” Seese recalls.

Upon graduating from MHHS, Seese headed to the Savannah College of Design to pursue a degree in painting. He later transferred to MICA in Baltimore, where he majored in graphic design and illustration.

“I thought I would illustrate children’s books,” Seese says. “But after working in graphic design for a bit, I found it just wasn’t my thing.”

Seese then joined the Americorps VISTA program in Baltimore, where he worked with local schools and communities to create 15 murals on display across the city.

“That was an important experience in my life. It made me realize that I loved working with communities to develop public art for all to see and enjoy,” Seese says.

In the years that followed, Seese held several other jobs–always focused on art. He taught art in Baltimore City schools; served as the lead scenic artist in several films (“Evan Almighty” and “Invasion” to name a couple); started BB Murals, a full production visual arts company specializing in murals and sculpture; and led design for ClimbZone, which produces themed climbing walls.

It was all work that Seese enjoyed, but as he notes, it was largely representational in nature (meaning it was focused on recognizable objects). So, in 2018, he decided to try something different.

“I jumped into sculpture and went ‘full-on’ abstract,” he recalls.

Seese’s first piece was a 10-foot sculpture called “The Feather,” which he submitted to a “sculpture on loan” program. He then began to get requests from around the country to showcase that work–and to develop others.

Today, Seese has artwork on display in 37 states and in Canada. His work can be seen in such places as the BISH Discovery Center in Greenville, OH, the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta, GA, the Beale Street Theater in Kingman, AZ, the New Hampshire Department .of Transportation Turnpike Administration building, the Conover Library Literacy Garden in Conover, NC, the Greeley Evans Transit Center in Greeley, CO, and in the City of Sanford, FL, among others. He also has works at various locations in Maryland, including the Brookville Beer Farm, the Java Rock Coffee House, as well as Baltimore County Parks & Recreation Oregon Ridge Nature Center.

As of August 2025, Seese also has a sculpture on display in front of the HCPSS Central Office. The 14-foot tall “Dragonfly” sculpture, which was installed as part of the Howard County Arts Council ARTsites annual public art exhibition, is built from welded rebar and assorted upcycled materials.

“Dragonfly” is one of several pieces of Seese’s work that can currently be seen in Howard County. He also created designs that are featured on bus shelters at Atholton, Wilde Lake, and Long Reach high schools.

“I firmly believe that the more art we have around us, the better,” Seese says, adding that he is a strong champion of public art.

“Public art is on display for everyone. There’s no barrier to entry; it’s out there for everyone to see,” he notes.

Having his work on public display in Howard County is particularly meaningful to Seese.

“It really feels like I’ve come full circle. Growing up in Howard County, taking workshops at the Howard County Center for the Arts, and now having temporary and permanent work here–it all feels very gratifying,” he says.

More information about Seese and additional examples of his sculptural work are available online.