Education:
2008-M.A. Fine Arts, Painting/Drawing.
• University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN
• Thesis: Damage and Disrepair: The Intersection of Injury and Suburban Sprawl
1999-B.A. Art, Painting. Cum Laude
• Hope College, Holland, MI
• Secondary Teaching Certification, Professional Education Certificate (Art Education-LX 6-12, History-CC 6-12)
Selected Exhibitions/Collections/Honors:
ArtPrize- Exhibitor. Grand Rapids, MI - 2009, 2010 & 2011
Damage. Disrepair. Reinvention.Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids-Solo Show - 2009
M.A. of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition-University of St. Francis - 2008
Buddy Lee Records, Watsonville, CA-numerous commissions - 2008-present
Allendale Public Schools Permanent Collection
Hope College Permanent Collection
First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, IN - 2007-2008
Muskegon Art Museum Regional Art Competition - 2005
Grand Rapids Parade of Homes - 2005
Holland Area Arts Council Educators’ Exhibit - 2005
Numerous private collections
Work Experience:
Art, Photography, Graphic Design Teacher, Allendale High School, Allendale, MI, 2000 - Present
• Allendale Public Schools K-12 Visual Arts Department Chair - 2017-present
• Allendale Public Schools K-12 Visual Arts Department Co-Chair - 2013-2017
• Michigan Association of School Boards Excellence in Education Award - 2013
• Excellence in Service Award-Allendale Public Schools - 2007
• Teach 9th-12th grade art, photography, and graphic design. Students learn a variety of 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional media, art history, critical analysis of art, and participate in public exhibitions, competitions, and installations.
• Developed and successfully implemented new high school art, wet darkroom photography, and graphic design curriculum.
• Facilitated the growth of the program from a small 2 class curriculum to a thriving 10 class curriculum that has necessitated the construction of a new darkroom, photography classroom, and a graphic design computer lab.
• Assistant girls’ basketball coach, Junior Varsity - 2006-2011
Adjunct Instructor-Kendall College of Art & Design, Grand Rapids, MI - 2010-present
• Instructor in dual enrollment program that allows students to receive college credit while still in high school.
• Courses taught include: Drawing I, Color I, 2-D Design, Intro to Photography, Color: Apply, Drawing: Learn, Design: Image
Drawing and Painting Instructor, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lake, MI - 2015
• Taught a two week intensive session in drawing and painting to middle school age fine arts campers.
Co-Owner, Knothole Studios, Grand Rapids, MI - 2010-2013.
• Created handmade art objects, stationery, ceramics & various ephemera
Sales Associate, Joyce Petter Gallery, Saugatuck/Douglas, MI - 1999-2005
• Fine art sales at premier regional gallery.
• Assisted in exhibit design, inventory control, shipping and receiving, event planning and customer service.
Presentations/Workshops
2020-present- Michigan Art Education Association Fall Conference workshop/session leader
Integrating Art Across the Curriculum
The Importance of Being an Anti-Racist Art Teacher
Creating Student Belonging: Running a No Time Art Club
Navigating Attacks on Public Education
2017-present- Art Teacher Education workshops, Allendale Public Schools
Scope and Sequence of Integrating Weaving in a K-12 setting
Collage and Meaning Making
Wet Darkroom Photography
2014- Diluted Acrylic and Mixed Media Collage Technique Workshop, Ottawa Area
Intermediate School District
2013- Integrating Reading Across the Curriculum, Allendale Public Schools
Other Experience/Training
2014- Artist-in-Residence, Golden Apple Artist Residency, Harrington, ME
2013- A Silent Crisis: Creating Safe Schools for Sexual Minority Youth Training, Kent ISD
2012-2018- Allendale Education Association Vice President
2022-present- Michigan Art Education Association, Awards Committee
2022-present- Allendale Education Association Area Representative
References available upon request
