Points of Pride

Over the years, there have been achievements and opportunities for the students of VIC, that I am very proud to have been a part of. For me, working in education is more than a job. Being able to have a positive impact in the lives of my students, and belonging to a community of artists, is rewarding on a very deep and personal level. The information below celebrates some these some accomplishments.

Northern Illinois University (NIU) - Community College Student Juried Virtual Exhibition 2021

In March of 2021, VIC students participated for the first time, in the NIU Community College Student Juried Virtual Exhibition. This exhibit is open to all Community College students in Illinois. The students of VIC nearly swept the categories they entered. Taking 1st and 3rd place in Digital Art, and 1st, 3rd, and honorable mention in Digital Photography. The awards ceremony was held virtually and I proudly attended to support the students.

To read about the virtual exhibit please click the following link. https://www.niu.edu/art/events/exhibition.shtml

Barcelona Creative Arts Exchange Exchange

In 2019, I had the opportunity to get involved with the Barcelona Creative Arts Exchange, thanks to VIC and ART adjunct and artist, Mark Nelson. The BCAE pairs students and Instructors, from Barcelona and the Chicagoland area. These pairs then work on a collaborative project centered around a theme. The year we participated, the theme and artist was Jaume Plensa. Plensa was the creative artist behind the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park.

Plensa is a prolific artist that creates beautiful, and often ethereal sculptures on a large scale. The theme for the 2019 BCAE was "Expansive Thought".

The students collaborated via email and created pieces that were then exhibited in both Barcelona and in the Triton College Gallery. It was a wonderful experience that the students really enjoyed. I am hoping to participate again in the future.

To view the gallery exhibit, please click the following link.http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/handle/2445/150263

The images below are excepts from the collaboration.

Student and Alumni Success

It is very rewarding to follow the careers and artistic endeavors of VIC alumni and former students. Observing their body of work at it transforms and matures, is inspiring.

Marcin Cymmer - https://www.cymmerphoto.com/ https://www.smartpixelstudio.com/

Malgorzata Kaplon https://www.kaplonstudio.com/about.html

Agata Martinik https://agatamartinik.com/

Austin Sowell https://www.austinsowell.com/

Doina Calcea https://www.instagram.com/doina.calcea/?hl=en

Marek Roik http://marekart.com/

Kasia Kowalik https://www.kasiakowalikphotography.com/

Ian McSheffrey https://www.instagram.com/ianmcsheffrey/?hl=en