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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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”. |