As an artist and educator, I am dedicated to exploring the intersection of contemporary art and pedagogy through a diverse range of media and technologies, spanning from analog methods to advanced digital tools. My teaching philosophy emphasizes fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technical proficiency, guiding students to become confident and innovative users of a broad array of techniques and concepts in their artistic practice.

A key focus of my approach is the integration of computer-based technologies—one of the most transformative forces shaping contemporary culture and society. By equipping students with the skills and knowledge to navigate and utilize these tools effectively, I aim to prepare them not only to engage with the digital world but also to contribute meaningfully to its evolution. This includes encouraging students to see technology not just as a tool but as a means of expanding their capacity for self-expression and conceptual exploration.

Beyond technical skills, I strive to cultivate an appreciation for the role of culture in shaping our identities and communities. My goal is to inspire students to understand the importance of art and culture in their lives and to use their creative voices to engage with broader social, personal, and intellectual challenges.

Through my work as both an artist and teacher, I am committed to empowering individuals to achieve greater levels of self-expression, cultural awareness, and intellectual growth. I believe that by fostering a strong foundation in creativity, critical inquiry, and technological fluency, students can unlock their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.

Education

 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL. Master of Arts - Art Education 2005 - 2007
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL. Master in Fine Arts – Photography 2000 - 2003 
University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT. Bachelor of Art, Photography and Intermedia Sculpture 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. 2013 - 2022
Associate Instructor, Art and Art History Department, College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. 2010 - 2013
Associate Instructor, Art and Art History Department University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. 2007 – 2010
Teaching Assistant - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL. 2004 - 2007
Assistant Director – Parkland College Art Gallery, IL . 2004 - 2005
Furniture design and fabrication - Sawfish woodworking studio NJ.  2003 - 2004
Teaching instructor in photography. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL. 2000 – 2003
Photographer – Ricker Art and Architecture Slide Library, UUIC, IL. 2001 - 2003 
Manager – R. Olpin University Union, University of Utah  1998 - 2000 
Manager - R. Olpin Union Gallery, University of Utah 1997 - 1998

Grants and Awards

Award for Excellence in Teaching. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaig  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, UT. 2011 - 2012
Student teaching Centennial High School. Champaign, IL. 2006 - 2007
Student teaching Mahomet Seymour Junior High Schoo. Mahomet  IL 2006
Volunteer at the Krannert Museum of Art The programs for children. Champaign-Urbana IL 2005 - 2007
Wednesday School Art Program – St. Malachy school in Rantoul, IL. 2005
Saturday School Art Program for children – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 2004-2007
Penland School of Arts and Crafts – Assistant Instructor to Bea Nettles 2001
Sorensen Community Center - Salt Lake Cit  UT. 2000

Exhibitions

 
Space Maker. Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Salt Lake City, UT. 2020
Utah ’19: Statewide Annual Mixed Media and Works on Paper. Salt Lake 2019 City, UT. 2019
The Medium is The Message. Salt Lake City Public Library, Marmalade Branch, UT. 2019
Site Lines, Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Salt Lake City, UT. 2018
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, 2nd Ed. Delmar Cengage Learning. Images of Examples of gum dichromate process and pinhole camera. 2008

Art related projects

 
Alianza Academy – Salt Lake City , UT. 2010 – 2012
Graphic, concept design– web design, educational material graphics and text, publications layout and graphics, and style-guide  
Sister Dottie S. Dixion  - Pygmalion Theater, Salt Lake City, UT. 2010
Graphic and web design – Creating graphics for sisterdottie.com, CD cover and booklet graphics for “This I Know”.