Curriculum Vitae

Objectives

My goal as artist and educator is research, teaching and creating contemporary art, with the use of digital and traditional technology.  I strive to teach students to become active and creative users of digital technology, one of the main driving forces of contemporary culture and society. My goal as a teacher and artist is to encourage everyone to pursue self-expression, and understanding the importance of culture in our lives, to reach greater personal, social and intellectual achievements. 

Qualifications 

I teach studio and art theory classes to diverse range of students, from grade school, high school, college level and working professionals who seek to continue their postgraduate education. Classes I teach range from art survey, art foundation in 2D and 3D, traditional and digital photography, basic and advanced darkroom techniques, advanced photography problems, digital photography, digital studio, introduction to digital arts, advanced problems in digital arts, web design, and art education. In all my classes I focus on exposing students to a range of topics, techniques, and technologies as well as art theory, art history, art philosophy, criticism and art education. 

My interests as an artist are in exploring interdisciplinary arts. Through visual art and digital technology, my work explores means images become a mode of communicating experiences and desires. I am interested in expressing alternate points of views on culture and society through digital image manipulation, video, interactive graphics, and web design. In my work I combine traditional and new media, experimenting with an unexpected juxtaposition of old and new. The historic and traditional processes I use include pinhole cameras, Van Dyke, Cyanotype, Gum-dichromate printing and silver gelatin prints. The new media I use include digital photography, video, web applications and interactive media. 

In my work and teaching, the applications I use most include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, PremierPro, AfterEffects, and LightRoom. Other applications include Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Live Type. I am proficient in HTML and HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript and Processing.

The interdisciplinary nature of my work allows me to utilize my skills in both 2D and 3D design, including woodworking and metalworking techniques, specifically in furniture design and creating multimedia interactive installations.

Education

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Master of Arts - Art Education
Cumulative GPA: 3.7/4

2005 - 2007

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Master in Fine Arts – Photography
Cumulative GPA: 3.896/4

2000 - 2003 

University of Utah – Salt Lake City
Bachelor of Art, Photography and Intermedia Sculpture
Cumulative GPA: 3.579/4

1994 - 2000 

Czechoslovak National Railroad, Nymburk – Czech Republic
Graduate certificate - Engineering with specialization in metal treatment and machine assembly.

1985 - 1989 

Employment

Assistant Professor, Art and Art History Department, College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Teaching courses in Arts Technology at the Department of Art and Art History with focus on interdisciplinary and multimedia digital technology.

2013 - 2018

Associate Instructor, Art and Art History Department, College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Teaching courses in Arts Technology program at the Department of Art and Art History with focus on interdisciplinary and multimedia digital technology.
Courses taught: Introduction to Computer Arts, Net Design I and Net Design II, Digital Photography, Advanced Photography, Interdisciplinary Capstone, Art 3D Studio Foundation, and Art Education.
Teaching digital photography courses in University of Utah Continuing Education program. 

2011 - 2013

Associate Instructor, Art and Art History Department, College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Teaching courses in Arts and Technology program at the Department of Art and Art History with focus on interdisciplinary multimedia and digital technology.
Courses taught: Introduction to Computer Arts, Net Design I and Net Design II, Digital Photography, Interdisciplinary Capstone and Art 3D Studio Foundation.

2010 - 2011

Associate Instructor, Art and Art History Department University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Independently taught courses in Digital Photography, Electronic Darkroom, Advance Photograph, Photography Problems, Introduction to Computer Arts, basic and Web Design I and II.
Courses focus on teaching and exploring topics ranging from the use of digital technology and art, creative process, art theory, and teaching methods for art major, non-major and education students. Individually advised undergraduate and graduate students on their projects.
Thought Art Education courses for Education majors in the College of Education and Distance Learning.  Introducing future elementary teachers to the importance of art education through art education theory, practical teaching methods and art studio projects.

2007 – 2010

Teaching Assistant - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Taught 4 semesters of introductory courses in the Art and Design department, 80 student classes of Art Survey for non-majors, and 30 student classes of Art Survey for Art Education majors.
Prepared lecture materials, slides, and visual aid.
Delivered lectures.
Graded student essays and exams for content and knowledge, and critiqued students artwork.

2004 - 2007

Assistant Director – Parkland College Art Gallery 

Coordinated gallery events and art show openings.  
Assisted with selecting artist and art exhibitions.
Wrote grants and proposals for gallery events.
Archived and cataloged works in the permanent gallery collection.

2004 - 2005

Furniture design and fabrication - Sawfish woodworking studio NJ. 

Designed and fabricated custom built furniture.
Prepared and selected materials for cutting according to architectural drawings, starting from raw wood logs.
Created joints, prepared surfaces, glue-up assembly, applied stain, painted and varnished finishes and installed the final product on site. 

2003 - 2004

Teaching instructor in photography. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Taught two semesters of a photography course for the continuing education department. 
Designed curriculum for beginner and advanced level photography courses. 
delivered lectures on the history of photography, darkroom techniques, and on the use of various photographic equipment.
Guided students’ discussions on a philosophy of photography.

2000 – 2003

Photographer – Ricker Art and Architecture Slide Library

Photographed and organized materials for lectures.
Scanned and digitizing slides for web catalog.

2001 - 2003 

Manager – R. Olpin University Union, University of Utah 

Implemented building security during and after hours.
Organized and supervised events in the Union building.

1998 - 2000 

Manager - R. Olpin Union Gallery, University of Utah

Selected artists and curated art shows. 
Created promotional materials, and wrote press releases. 
Handled art sales and worked with patrons. 
Worked with the Union board on promoting University events.

1997 - 1998

Grants and Awards

Award for Excellence in Teaching. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. 

2003

Studio Assistantship Award.Penland School for Arts and Crafts North Carolina.

2002

Invited Artist Grant.Salt Lake City Art festival, Utah

2000

Ethel Armstrong Rollap Award for Scholarship Excellence.University of Utah  

2000

President’s Award for outstanding scholastic achievement University of Utah

2000

President’s Award for outstanding scholastic achievement University of Utah 

1999

President’s Award for outstanding scholastic achievement University of Utah 

1998

Francis Sears Scholarship Award. University of Utah.

1997

Teaching Experience

Digital photography for Continuing Education program University of Utah.

Teaching introduction to digital media and photography, the theory of working with digital images, use of digital camera and outputting to print and other digital media.

2011 - 2012

Student teaching Centennial High School. Champaign, Illinois.

Taught art survey and drawing courses. The focus of the course was on developing students competency using art techniques and materials as well as to become familiar with major conceptual and historical issues in art from formal elements, to conceptual themes, philosophical concerns and historical references.
Duties included creating lesson plans, visual examples, presentations, class lectures, and discussions
Guided student critiques, evaluated their work and grades.

2006 - 2007

Student teaching Mahomet Seymour Junior High Schoo. Mahomet  IL

Taught 6^th, 7, and 8^thgrade visual art courses in drawing, cultural arts, ceramics, photography, and video.
Duties included creating  curriculum and lesson plans, visual examples, presentations, and handouts.
Guided student critiques, evaluated their work and recorded grades.
Planned and organized student film festival.

2006

Volunteer at the Krannert Museum of Art The programs for children. Champaign-Urbana IL

Guided children art activities at the museum events. 

2005 - 2007

Wednesday School Art Program – St. Malachy school in Rantoul, IL.

Taught 3^rd and 6^thgrade visual arts to classes of 18 and 20 students. 
Collaborated with the classroom teacher to create integrated art curriculum.
Created lesson plans, visual aids, handouts and other lecture materials. 
Organized and ordered art supplies and tools.
Guided student discussions and critiques. 
Participated in PTA conferences and student work showcase. 

2005

Saturday School Art Program for children – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Supervised student teachers and provide feedback on their teaching practice. 
Organized inventory and storage of art materials, set up and organization of classroom.
Provided technical backup, video and photo documentation.
Planned student shows in the Link Gallery.

2004-2007

Penland School of Arts and Crafts – Assistant Instructor to Bea Nettles

Assisted teaching nontraditional photography techniques such as Gum-dichromate, Van Dyke, Cyanotype.
Organized materials and supplies.
Facilitated students’ individual inquiry.

2001

Sorensen Community Center - Salt Lake City UT

Participate in community projects with minority and youth in crisis through artists and community members’ collaboration.

2000

Exhibitions:

Terra Byte - Finch Lane Gallery,  Salt Lake City, UT.

2016

New Narratives - Utah Museum of Fine Arts,  Salt Lake City, UT.

2014

A Sense of Place -  The President's Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT.

2014

Between the Lines -  Logo Gallery. Salt Lake City, UT.

2013

Utah Museum of Fine Arts –  Salt Lake City, UT.

2012

Saans – The Holga Show, Salt Lake City, UT.

2007

Union gallery – group exhibition at University of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT.

2007

Open Source - group exhibition, Urbana IL.

2006

I Space gallery  Chicago, IL.

2003

Spaces gallery in Cleveland, OH

2001

AMUSE – Krannert Art Museum, Urbana IL. 

2001

Annual Artist Against AIDS exhibition, Champaign IL.  

2000-2007

Salt Lake City Art Festival – invited artist, Salt Lake City, UT

2000

Cordall Taylor gallery in Salt Lake City, UT. 

2000

Red Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT 

1999

Publications

The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes by Christopher James, 2^nd Ed. Delmar Cengage Learning.
Images of Examples of gum dichromate process and pinhole camera.

2008

Art related projects

Alianza Academy – Salt Lake City Utah
Graphic, concept design– web design, educational material graphics and text, publications layout and graphics, and style-guide

2010 – 2012

Sister Dottie S. Dixion  - Pygmalion Theater, Salt Lake City, UT
Graphic and web design – Creating graphics for sisterdottie.com, CD cover and booklet graphics for “This I Know”.

2010