.Dakota Rylee is from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is attending Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro, and will receive her BFA with a Painting and Drawing Concentration in 2026. Dakota graduated from Chartiers Houston Highschool where she received first place in the “Folker Art Show.” She has had two solo exhibitions: “Open Book” and “No Impassivity,” both in 2025 in Bates Gallery on the Pennwest Edinboro campus. She has also been in one group show “The Collective” 2024 also in Bates Gallery. Dakota has also been involved with exhibitions through the Arc. This organization holds shows for local artist where she’s been featured, such as “Embracing Differences,” in 2025, and the annual art festival. She is also president of the Drawing and Painting club at Pennwest University. Apon graduation, Dakota will pursue her MFA in studio arts and hopes to have a career in curation or education. She plans to one day open her own gallery space to support young local artists