CV / Resume
Education
Graduate Student, Studio Art and Design; August 2016 to May 2020
State University of New York (SUNY), University at Buffalo, College of Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, Rhetoric. Additional field: English; May, 1991
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professional Experience
Executive Director, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera; Buffalo, NY; December, 2022 to Present
Key responsibilities include, leading El Museo in implementation for future success, building a long term plan for organizational
effectiveness; providing financial management and enhancing the financial stability of the organization; and representing
El Museo with the broader community of peer organizations, artists, funders, elected officials, and educators.
Artist-in-Residence, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera; Buffalo, NY; April, 2022 to December, 2022
Curate and mount contemporary art exhibits, lead family art workshops, and manage the gallery as assigned.
Substitute Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools; September, 2021 to Present
Adapt and teach curriculum, as well as document and report on grade school and high school classes, primarily in visual arts.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Art, SUNY University at Buffalo; August, 2016 to May, 2018
Prepared, taught, documented and reported on the undergraduate courses Art 111, Drawing Fundamentals; Art 207,
Drawing Concepts I; Art 105, Art and the Everyday; as well as Art 120, Public Space.
Digitization Technician, Main Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; December, 2010 to July, 2014
Through the Library’s Digital Content Creation office, assisted with digitization projects supporting the strategic initiative of making historically significant collections Internet accessible for research and education. Responsibilities included high-volume scanning of a vast scope of publications, including very rare and fragile materials as requested by patrons, campus units and specialized University libraries. Equipment operated and maintained include flatbed, high-speed and large-format scanners. Trained additional staff on equipment operation best practices. Both Mac and PC Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat Pro used for image editing and stitching, object masking, batch-processing files, producing searchable PDFs and applying metadata as assigned.
Marketing Design Manager, Columbia College Chicago; July, 1999 to July, 2009
For the Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP), position of over three years followed positions of increasing responsibilities supporting CCAP’s evolving initiatives of college readiness, community partnerships and arts integration. This included marketing and audience development for visual, literary and performing arts programs both on campus and in the field; included contributing to copy-writing, design, production and distribution of promotional materials; and also included brainstorming new projects, planning meetings, and supervising and mentoring student work-study assistants and interns. Additional responsibilities comprised of planning web sites, editing web pages, Spanish language translating and editing, contributing to the Center’s marketing plans as well as overall strategic plans, maintaining and trouble-shooting Macintosh design work stations, desktop video production, creating design templates, establishing and maintaining photo and video archives, and serving as a liaison among independent contracting artists and vendors, community partners, and departments within the College.
Assistant Designer, New Art Examiner; Chicago, IL; April, 1996 to August, 1997
For the national art magazine, duties included copy-fitting, page layout, and photo scanning and editing for art reviews and listings as assigned by the art director. Also, retrieved and edited spots placed by advertisers, all through Mac-platform Adobe desktop publishing software. Additional duties included proof-reading copy, checking accuracy of pre-press film, maintaining excellent service bureau relations, writing editorial, and assisting with fundraising event coordination as needed.
Advertising Production Assistant, Chicago Magazine; September, 1995 to June, 1997
Created and edited color print advertising using Macintosh-based Quark and Adobe applications. Consulted the advertising needs of clients and sales staff.
Graphic Designer, McDonald’s Corporation; Oak Brook, IL, May, 1993 to July, 1994
Solved design problems by consulting with clients and print buyers to determine and efficiently produce cost-effective internal communications projects. As a team-player, responsibilities included fast-paced trafficking of print jobs, and typesetter and processor maintenance.
Marketing Communications Coordinator, The Prudential Insurance Company; Oak Brook, IL, September, 1991 to March, 1993
For the Mid-America Marketing Office, coordinated the development, design, production and distribution of sales promotion and advertising materials including print ads, signage, newsletters and posters. As both desktop publishing designer and sales promotion staff writer, responsibilities included meeting with clients, consulting with creative staff members and collaborating with vendors and printing services. Duties also included setting up Macintosh work stations and tutoring desktop publishing software.
Artist Educator Practice and Residencies
Ongoing since 1994, development and presentation of educational arts workshops, lectures and exhibits for U.S. Midwest institutions and their constituencies, including dual Spanish and English language immersion schools. Responsibilities comprise of proposal writing for program contracts; administration of repeat programming; securing and training volunteer event facilitators; writing, editing and designing promotions like press releases, print ads and social media spots; and fostering relationships with editors and producers for publicity, including bilingual media. Also, research, fund raising, lesson plan writing, budgeting, documentation and translating:
Museums and Galleries
The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL), Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, IL), Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview, IL), Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, IL), Garfield Park Conservatory (Chicago, IL), John G. Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL), Dickson Mounds Museum (Lewistown, IL), Illinois State Museum (Springfield, IL), Chicago Children’s Museum, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Museum of Puerto Rican History and Culture (Chicago, IL), Chicago History Museum, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera (Buffalo, NY)
Schools and Universities
University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL), University of Chicago, Oakton Community College (Skokie, IL), Whittier Elementary School (Oak Park, IL), Chute Middle School (Evanston, IL), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Laboratory School (Evanston, IL), Glen Crest Middle School (Glen Ellyn, IL), J. W. Eater Junior High School (Rantoul, IL),
West Aurora High School (Aurora, IL), Truman State University (Kirksville, MO), Carl Sandburg Elementary School (Madison, WI), Midvale Elementary School (Madison, WI), SUNY University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
Culture and Education Organizations
Hyde Park Art Center (Chicago, IL), Lincoln Park Cultural Center and the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Association House of Chicago, Christopher House (Chicago, IL), Hinsdale Center for the Arts (IL), YMCA (Chicago, IL), Chicago Cultural Center and the Department of Cultural Affairs, Marwen (Chicago, IL), Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (Chicago, IL), Park District of Oak Park (IL), Art Resources in Teaching (Chicago, IL), The Dance COLEctive (Chicago, IL), Cook County Juvenile Detention Center (Chicago, IL), Jazz Institute of Chicago, Chicago Artists’ Coalition, Amara Yoga & Arts (Urbana, IL), Living Yoga Center (Urbana, IL), Ragdale Foundation (Lake Forest, IL), Madison Public Library (WI), Goodman Community Center (Madison, WI),
Bare Knuckle Arts (Madison, WI), Western New York Book Arts Center (Buffalo, NY)
Exhibitions
Boards, Committees, Panels and Lectures
Selected Published Work
Selected Press
Awards
Graduate Student, Studio Art and Design; August 2016 to May 2020
State University of New York (SUNY), University at Buffalo, College of Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, Rhetoric. Additional field: English; May, 1991
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professional Experience
Executive Director, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera; Buffalo, NY; December, 2022 to Present
Key responsibilities include, leading El Museo in implementation for future success, building a long term plan for organizational
effectiveness; providing financial management and enhancing the financial stability of the organization; and representing
El Museo with the broader community of peer organizations, artists, funders, elected officials, and educators.
Artist-in-Residence, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera; Buffalo, NY; April, 2022 to December, 2022
Curate and mount contemporary art exhibits, lead family art workshops, and manage the gallery as assigned.
Substitute Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools; September, 2021 to Present
Adapt and teach curriculum, as well as document and report on grade school and high school classes, primarily in visual arts.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Art, SUNY University at Buffalo; August, 2016 to May, 2018
Prepared, taught, documented and reported on the undergraduate courses Art 111, Drawing Fundamentals; Art 207,
Drawing Concepts I; Art 105, Art and the Everyday; as well as Art 120, Public Space.
Digitization Technician, Main Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; December, 2010 to July, 2014
Through the Library’s Digital Content Creation office, assisted with digitization projects supporting the strategic initiative of making historically significant collections Internet accessible for research and education. Responsibilities included high-volume scanning of a vast scope of publications, including very rare and fragile materials as requested by patrons, campus units and specialized University libraries. Equipment operated and maintained include flatbed, high-speed and large-format scanners. Trained additional staff on equipment operation best practices. Both Mac and PC Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat Pro used for image editing and stitching, object masking, batch-processing files, producing searchable PDFs and applying metadata as assigned.
Marketing Design Manager, Columbia College Chicago; July, 1999 to July, 2009
For the Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP), position of over three years followed positions of increasing responsibilities supporting CCAP’s evolving initiatives of college readiness, community partnerships and arts integration. This included marketing and audience development for visual, literary and performing arts programs both on campus and in the field; included contributing to copy-writing, design, production and distribution of promotional materials; and also included brainstorming new projects, planning meetings, and supervising and mentoring student work-study assistants and interns. Additional responsibilities comprised of planning web sites, editing web pages, Spanish language translating and editing, contributing to the Center’s marketing plans as well as overall strategic plans, maintaining and trouble-shooting Macintosh design work stations, desktop video production, creating design templates, establishing and maintaining photo and video archives, and serving as a liaison among independent contracting artists and vendors, community partners, and departments within the College.
Assistant Designer, New Art Examiner; Chicago, IL; April, 1996 to August, 1997
For the national art magazine, duties included copy-fitting, page layout, and photo scanning and editing for art reviews and listings as assigned by the art director. Also, retrieved and edited spots placed by advertisers, all through Mac-platform Adobe desktop publishing software. Additional duties included proof-reading copy, checking accuracy of pre-press film, maintaining excellent service bureau relations, writing editorial, and assisting with fundraising event coordination as needed.
Advertising Production Assistant, Chicago Magazine; September, 1995 to June, 1997
Created and edited color print advertising using Macintosh-based Quark and Adobe applications. Consulted the advertising needs of clients and sales staff.
Graphic Designer, McDonald’s Corporation; Oak Brook, IL, May, 1993 to July, 1994
Solved design problems by consulting with clients and print buyers to determine and efficiently produce cost-effective internal communications projects. As a team-player, responsibilities included fast-paced trafficking of print jobs, and typesetter and processor maintenance.
Marketing Communications Coordinator, The Prudential Insurance Company; Oak Brook, IL, September, 1991 to March, 1993
For the Mid-America Marketing Office, coordinated the development, design, production and distribution of sales promotion and advertising materials including print ads, signage, newsletters and posters. As both desktop publishing designer and sales promotion staff writer, responsibilities included meeting with clients, consulting with creative staff members and collaborating with vendors and printing services. Duties also included setting up Macintosh work stations and tutoring desktop publishing software.
Artist Educator Practice and Residencies
Ongoing since 1994, development and presentation of educational arts workshops, lectures and exhibits for U.S. Midwest institutions and their constituencies, including dual Spanish and English language immersion schools. Responsibilities comprise of proposal writing for program contracts; administration of repeat programming; securing and training volunteer event facilitators; writing, editing and designing promotions like press releases, print ads and social media spots; and fostering relationships with editors and producers for publicity, including bilingual media. Also, research, fund raising, lesson plan writing, budgeting, documentation and translating:
Museums and Galleries
The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL), Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, IL), Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview, IL), Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, IL), Garfield Park Conservatory (Chicago, IL), John G. Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL), Dickson Mounds Museum (Lewistown, IL), Illinois State Museum (Springfield, IL), Chicago Children’s Museum, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Museum of Puerto Rican History and Culture (Chicago, IL), Chicago History Museum, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera (Buffalo, NY)
Schools and Universities
University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL), University of Chicago, Oakton Community College (Skokie, IL), Whittier Elementary School (Oak Park, IL), Chute Middle School (Evanston, IL), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Laboratory School (Evanston, IL), Glen Crest Middle School (Glen Ellyn, IL), J. W. Eater Junior High School (Rantoul, IL),
West Aurora High School (Aurora, IL), Truman State University (Kirksville, MO), Carl Sandburg Elementary School (Madison, WI), Midvale Elementary School (Madison, WI), SUNY University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
Culture and Education Organizations
Hyde Park Art Center (Chicago, IL), Lincoln Park Cultural Center and the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Association House of Chicago, Christopher House (Chicago, IL), Hinsdale Center for the Arts (IL), YMCA (Chicago, IL), Chicago Cultural Center and the Department of Cultural Affairs, Marwen (Chicago, IL), Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (Chicago, IL), Park District of Oak Park (IL), Art Resources in Teaching (Chicago, IL), The Dance COLEctive (Chicago, IL), Cook County Juvenile Detention Center (Chicago, IL), Jazz Institute of Chicago, Chicago Artists’ Coalition, Amara Yoga & Arts (Urbana, IL), Living Yoga Center (Urbana, IL), Ragdale Foundation (Lake Forest, IL), Madison Public Library (WI), Goodman Community Center (Madison, WI),
Bare Knuckle Arts (Madison, WI), Western New York Book Arts Center (Buffalo, NY)
Exhibitions
- MFA Solo Exhibition, Belonging; El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY, 2020
- Solo Exhibition, Possession; Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY, 2019
- Group Exhibition, A Union Cab Art Show; Art In, Madison, WI, 2016
- Solo Exhibition, Assembling for Truth: Meditative Kite Traditions; Living Yoga Center, Urbana, IL, 2012
- Solo Exhibition, Estrellas Puertorriqueñas (Puerto Rican Kites); Amara Yoga & Arts, Urbana, IL, 2011
- Group Exhibit, La Casa Cultural Latina 35th Anniversary; Alice Campbell Alumni Center Vermette Gallery, Urbana, IL, 2009
- Group Exhibit, De Raices Cotidianas (Domestic Antecedents); The Art Center, Highland Park, IL, 2008
- Installation, I Can Think About Where Self-Criticism Comes From; Polvo/Antenna Gallery, Chicago, 2005
- Juried Group Exhibition, Flights of Imagination: Artist-Made Kites; Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, 2003
- Juried Group Exhibition, Latino Horizons; Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, 2001
- Group Exhibition, Of Intrinsic Nature–Transformando Lo Ordinario; Humboldt Park Stables, Chicago, 2000
- Group Exhibition, Celebrating Our Third Root; Albizu Campos Museum of Puerto Rican History and Culture, Chicago, 2000
- Group Benefit Exhibition, Marathon Show 99; Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research, Chicago, 1999
- Installation, Infusion Center Kite Display; The Core Center, Chicago, 1998–1999
- Solo Exhibition, Chiringas, Papalotes, Cometas, and Kites!; Collage Gallery, Chicago, 1998
- Solo Exhibition, Carnival of Kites; Albizu Campos Museum of Puerto Rican History and Culture, Chicago, 1997
- Juried Group Exhibition, Latin American Masters; Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery, Aurora, IL, 1997
- Juried Group Exhibition, Works on or of Paper; Riverside Arts Center, Riverside, IL, 1997
- Featured Display, High Fliers!; State of Illinois Artisans Shop, Chicago, 1996
- Solo Exhibition, Los Angeles del Cielo; Journey Lake Gallery, Chicago, 1996
- Display, A Celebration of Bats; Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL, 1996
- Group Exhibition, What U B About?: Cultural (Urban) Negotiations; Betty Shabazz Hall, Malcolm X College, Chicago, 1996
- Group Exhibition, Annual Kite Invitational; Wood Street Gallery, ACME Gallery and Flat File, Chicago, 1996–1998 & 2000
- Installations, Day of the Dead Celebration; Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL, 1995–1996
- International Juried Exhibition, Around the Coyote; Paulina Art Center, Chicago, 1995–1996
- Juried Art Fair, Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival; Evanston, IL, 1995
- Juried Group Exhibition, Unknown Chicago; Gallery 312, Chicago, 1995
Boards, Committees, Panels and Lectures
- President, Department of Art Graduate Student Association; SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 2017-18
- Panelist, Business of Art Conference; Chicago Artists’ Coalition, Chicago, IL 2006
- Board of Directors Treasurer, Africaribe; Chicago, IL 2002-2003
- Lecturer, Visiting Artists & Scholars Series; University Art Gallery Programs, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 2000
- Humboldt Park Project Committee Member, Re-Inventing the Garden City; Sculpture Chicago, Chicago, IL 1995-96
Selected Published Work
- Photography: AIMprint — New Relationships in the Arts and Learning; 2008
- Photography: ART/VISION/VOICE — Cultural Conversations in Community; 2005
- Review: Juan Sánchez, New Art Examiner; p. 43-44, July/August, 1997
- Art Note: “Curiously George...”, New Art Examiner; p. 60, April, 1997
- Spotlight: "Dave Navarro, A Class Act", Excellence Magazine, The Prudential, p. 8-11, Spring, 1992
Selected Press
- Article, School Library Journal; “Trend Alert: Kite-Making Workshops”, www.slj.com, July 25, 2016
- Article, Eastside News; “Time. Masks. Jamming.”, Madison, WI, July–August, 2016
- Featurette, WICD-TV, Ch. 15; “Illinois Central”, Champaign, Broadcast April 9, 2011
- Article, The News-Gazette; Entertainment section studio visit, Champaign, IL, March 20, 2011
- Feature, WPWR-TV, Ch. 50; “Up ‘N’ Running”, Chicago, Broadcast February 27, 2000
- Demonstration, WLS-TV, Ch. 7; “Chicagoing”, Chicago, Broadcast July 11, 1999
- Article, Chicago Tribune; Trib West section, May 6, 1999
- Feature, Chicago Sun-Times; Family Fare section, May 8, 1998
- Demonstration, WGN-TV, Ch. 9; “The Bozo Show”, Chicago, Broadcast May 17, 1998
- Feature, WMAQ-TV, Ch. 5; “Kid News”, Chicago, Broadcast April 11, 1998
- Feature, ¡Exito!; A Gozar Section (Spanish), p. 1, Chicago, IL, August 14, 1997
- Demonstration, WSNS-TV, Ch. 44; “Brechita” (Spanish), Chicago, Broadcast August 10, 1996
- Feature, WYCC-TV, Ch. 20; “Absolute Artistry”, Chicago, Broadcast July 24, 1996
Awards
- SUNY University at Buffalo, Department of Art graduate school scholarship and teaching assistantship, 2016-2018
- Columbia College Chicago, All-Staff Arts & Media Award, 2007
- City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs, Community Arts Assistance Program Grant, 1996, 1997 & 1998
- Evanston Arts Council, Evanston Cultural Fund, 1996