EDUCATION
08/2015 - 05/2017
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN FINE ARTS
Parsons School of Design, The New School (TNS), New York, NY
08/2010 - 05/2014
BACHELOR OF ARTS (Major - Fine Arts, Minor - Psychology)
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
08/2019 - 12/2019
ALTERNATIVE RESIDENT EDUCATOR LICENSE
Ohio State University, Ohio's Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute (IPTI),Columbus, OH
PROFESSIONAL + VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
08/2021 - 06/2024
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL [LINK]
Queen City Clay, Cincinnati, OH
-Oversaw retail department (ceramics supply store) at the largest community clay education facility in the US
09/2020 - 07/2021
HYDROPONICS FARM TECHNICIAN [LINK]
80 Acres Farms, Cincinnati, OH
-Seed and harvest leafy greens and fruiting crops at indoor commercial scale
-Crop maintenance and plant propagation
-Document yields and collect environmental data
-Detect early signs of crop harm
-Manage irrigation systems and custom mixing nutrients and acid into water supply
-Perform sanitation & adherence to GMPs
03/2020
CERAMICS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Felicity-Franklin Local School District, Felicity, OH
-Taught four-week, after school ceramics program for middle and high school students
-Wrote curriculum, modeled handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques, and facilitated projects and group discussions
-Researched and ordered tools and materials needed
08/2019 - 08/2020
MIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOL ART TEACHER
Felicity-Franklin Local School District, Felicity, OH
-Courses taught 2019-2020: Art Foundations I and II, Portfolio I and II, 2D Drawing and Painting, various independent studies, and 8th grade art
08/2018 - 12/2018
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Northern Kentucky University (NKU), Highland Heights, KY
Visual Fundamentals of Digital Media
-Course topics: color theory, typography, layout and composition, print media, web and user interface design
-Taught using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
08/2018 - 12/2018
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Northern Kentucky University (NKU), Highland Heights, KY
Art Appreciation
-Course objective: to understand the fundamental elements of art with an emphasis on developing skills in interpreting art within cultural, historical and contemporary contexts
-Provided students with a hands-on studio component
06/2018 - 07/2018
CO-ORGANIZER, INSTRUCTOR + COLLABORATING ARTIST [LINK]
The Newport/Bethel Project
A collaboration between the Northern Kentucky University Visual Arts Program, Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, Newport Historical Society (KY), Bethel Historical Society (OH), and SOIL SERIES: A Social Drawing
-Created dialogue between the city of Newport, KY and the village of Bethel, OH
-With local high school students, explored topics of abolition and segregation, urban vs. rural challenges, and histories in relationship to identity and place
-Exposed students to contemporary art making and techniques for working in a variety of media in a university studio environment
04/2018 – 2020
CO-FOUNDER + COLLABORATING ARTIST [LINK]
Bird Closet
An art collective that developed organically from the relationships established as part of SOIL SERIES: A Social Drawing, an ongoing socially-engaged artwork in Bethel, OH, a rural Appalachian village
-Collaborating with Bethel residents to excavate the village’s past and use this history as material to ideate and create a new future
-Creative outputs: writings, collages, and public interventions including billboards, performances, and the zine Fraxinus
06/2017 – 2019
CO-FOUNDER + COLLABORATING ARTIST [LINK]
SOIL SERIES: A Social Drawing
An ongoing socially-engaged artwork in Bethel, OH, a rural Appalachian village
-Administrating of the project’s website, blog, and social media presence
-Writing curriculum for and teaching art classes through a free, public, all-ages art program
-Grant writing and funding research
-Managing partnerships with various local organizations
01/2017 - 05/2017
TEACHING ASSISTANT TO CHRISTINE HOWARD SANDOVAL
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
BFA Fine Art Mixed Media in 3D Art
-Co-led critiques
-Assisted in studio visits with students
08/2016 - 05/2017
STUDIO ASSISTANT TO DON PORCARO
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
-Assisted in cutting, sanding, polishing, and assembling of stone and marble
for large-scale sculptures
-Assisted in the installation and de-installation of works in galleries and outdoor public locations
-Assisted in running studio events
09/2016 - 12/2016
TEACHING ASSISTANT TO SARA JIMENEZ
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
BFA Fine Arts Core Studio 1: 3D/Sculpture
-Led and co-led lectures and student critiques and reviews
-Led and co-led workshops in wood, metal, paper making, mold-making,
and casting
-Assisted in studio visits with students
05/2016
ASSISTANT TO CURATORIAL MANAGER, JULIA FRIEDMAN
Madison Square Art Symposium: Dreaming Public Art celebrating Martin Puryear's "Big Bling"
School of Visual Arts (SVA) Theatre, New York, NY
-Registered guests and provided assistance to guests as needed
04/2016 - 05/2017
CO-FOUNDER + COLLABORATING ARTIST
Parsons MFA Fine Arts Salons
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
-Co-founded an event series showcasing experimental work of New School students
-Developed and implemented new event model defined by a philosophy of inclusivity
01/2015 - 04/2015
DIRECTOR OF ART ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
Mount Vernon, OH
-Wrote art curriculum, lessons and projects, for children 6-12 years of age
-Led weekly lessons about contemporary and historical practices and techniques
-Directed and supervised adult volunteers
-Scheduled and facilitate local artist visits
-Organized field trips to local art institutions
-Produced culminating art show and reception
08/2014 - 05/2015
MENTOR IN STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
-Met weekly with two BA Fine Arts students to discuss texts and concerns relevant to art practice
01/2014 - 05/2014
DIRECTOR OF ART ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
Salvation Army, Mount Vernon, OH
-Taught weekly art lessons for children
06/2013 - 07/2013
INTERN DAY CAMP DIRECTOR
Cincinnati Urban Promise, Cincinnati, OH
-Directed arts portion of each day
-Drove van to transport children
-Hosted weekly volunteer groups
-Administrated online non-profit presence
05/2011 - 06/2011
INTERN DAY CAMP DIRECTOR
Rocketown, Nashville, TN
-Taught daily art classes
RELATED PROFESSIONAL + VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
04/2019 – 05/2019
LONG-TERM HIGH SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Felicity-Franklin Middle and High School, Felicity, OH
-Planned and taught lessons for Art Foundations II, Portfolio II, 3D Sculpture, various independent studies and 7th grade art
01/2018 – 05/2018
LONG-TERM HIGH SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
West Clermont High School, Cincinnati, OH
-Planned and taught lessons for Art Foundations I, Art Foundations II, and Drawing II
-Planned and taught lessons for English I
08/2014 - 05/2015
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDE
Mount Vernon City School District, Mount Vernon, OH
-Assisted students with special needs including hearing disabilities and autism
07/2014
STUDENT IN INTENSIVE SPANISH LANGUAGE COURSE
The Spanish Language Institute, San Jose, Costa Rica
-Participated in a 4-week immersion experience which included taking vocabulary and grammar courses and living with a Costa Rican family
01/2013 - 05/2014
MVNU ART CLUB MEMBER
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
-Participated as public representative
-Planned art club events on campus
09/2012 – 04/2013
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) TUTOR
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
-Tutored Spanish speaking adults and children
08/2012 - 05/2014
ASSISTANT TO MARKETING TRAFFIC COORDINATOR
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
-Performed various clerical responsibilities including managing Excel spreadsheets
CURATORIAL WORK
10/2017
HEAD CURATOR [LINK]
SOIL SERIES Community Studio Exhibition 2017
Empower Youth Ranch, Bethel, OH
11/2016
CURATORIAL TEAM MEMBER DIRECTED BY SIMONE DOUGLAS
Tell Me When You Are Ready
Fall 2016 Parsons MFA Open Studios Exhibition
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
09/2016
HEAD CURATOR
TWO by TWO: art in conversation
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
04/2016 - 05/2016
ASSISTANT TO CURATOR, ANDRIA HICKEY
2016 Parsons Spring Festival
Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery, New York, NY
04/2016
CO-CURATOR
PUNCTURE: An Experimental Performance Show
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
04/2024
HOMEMAKING: AN OVERTURE [LINK]
A solo exhibition at DSGN CLLCTV in Cincinnati, OH
Curated by Julia Green
08/2018 - 09/2018
BIRD CLOSET [LINK]
A self-titled, solo exhibition by the collective Bird Closet
Schnormeier Gallery, Mount Vernon Nazarene University(MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
2018
PROJECT ANYWHERE’S 2018 GLOBAL EXHIBITION [LINK]
A global blind peer-reviewed online exhibition program dedicated to promoting artistic research at the outermost limits of location-specificity
Projectanywhere.net
Curated by Sean Lowry and Simone Douglas
04/2017
SECOND NATURE [LINK]
MFA Thesis Exhibition
Westbeth Gallery, New York, NY
Curated by Chelsea Haines
03/2017
SPRING 2017 PARSONS MFA OPEN STUDIOS EXHIBITION
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
Curated by Lydia Matthews and Lan Thao Lam
02/2017
GOD OR THE EQUIVALENT
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
11/2016
TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE READY
Fall 2016 Parsons MFA Open Studios Exhibition
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
Curated by Simone Douglas
09/2016
TWO BY TWO: ART IN CONVERSATION
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
03/2016
FALLING TO EARTH
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
Curated by Simone Douglas and Lan Thao Lam
02/2016
AS IF TO WEAVE A BASKET
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
Curated by Fernando Do Campo
10/2015
POURING, DIGGING, LEAKING
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
04/2014 - 05/2014
WAYS OF MOVING
BA Senior Art Exhibition
Schnormeier Gallery, Mount Vernon Nazarene University(MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
ARTIST AND CURATOR TALKS, PANELS, & INTERVIEWS
04/2024
ARTIST TALK
Solo Exhibition, Homemaking: An Overture
DSGN CLLCTV, Cincinnati, OH
11/2018
INVITED SPEAKER
"Social Drawing: Theory and Praxis in Appalachia"
Anywhere and Elsewhere Conference: Art at the Outermost Limits of Location-Specificity
A Project Anywhere conference in collaboration with Parsons MFA Fine Arts
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
Curated by Sean Lowry and Simone Douglas
09/2018
ARTIST TALK
Bird Closet Exhibition Opening
Schnormeier Gallery, Mount Vernon Nazarene University(MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
06/2018
PODCAST INTERVIEWEE [LINK]
Bad at Sports Podcast ("Episode 639: Art and Ecology")
Queens Museum, Queens, NY
05/2018
INVITED SPEAKER [LINK]
“A Year in Appalachia”
Open Engagement 2018 Conference
Queens Museum, Queens, NY
02/2018 & 03/2018
VISITING ARTIST + INVITED SPEAKER
“On Soil Series: A Social Drawing”
School of the Arts (SOTA) at NKU
Northern Kentucky University (NKU), Highland Heights, KY
11/2017
VISITING ARTIST, CRITIC + INVITED SPEAKER [LINK]
“An Introduction to Socially Engaged Art”
MVNU Art and Design Department
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
11/2016
GRADUATE STUDENT PANELIST
Anywhere and Elsewhere Conference: Art at the Outermost Limits of Location-Specificity
A Project Anywhere conference in collaboration with Parsons MFA Fine Arts
Parsons School of Design, TNS, New York, NY
Curated by Sean Lowry and Simone Douglas
04/2016
CURATOR TALK
PUNCTURE: An Experimental Performance Show
25 East Gallery, New York, NY
04/2014
ARTIST TALK
Ways of Moving
BA Senior Art Exhibition
Schnormeier Gallery, Mount Vernon Nazarene University(MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH
PUBLICATIONS + PRESS
2020
GUGGENHEIM PRACTICUM PUBLICATION I [LINK]
Anifowoshe, Kanyinsola, and Janower, Mikki. “A Community Is a Garden.” Sustainable Futures: Guggenheim Summer Practicum, 2020.
2020
GUGGENHEIM PRACTICUM PUBLICATION II [LINK]
Anifowoshe, Kanyinsola, and Janower, Mikki. “A Community Is a Garden: Tools for Artists, Communities, and Institutions.” Mikki Janower, 2020.
2019
ANYWHERE III [LINK]
Bird Closet. “Three Conversations.” Project Anywhere Conference Publication. 2019. 111 - 116.
2018
PLOUGH QUARTERLY [LINK]
Black, Susannah. "Return to Appalachia." Plough Quarterly. Autumn 2018. 27 – 42.
2015
PENMARKS 2015 ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL
Wagner, Hillary. Image of “Magnetic North, True North.” Penmarks Annual Literary Journal. Ed. Jacox, Amorelle. 29th ed. Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 2015. 31.
2014
PENMARKS 2014 ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL
Wagner, Hillary. Poems: “Tanager,” “Tenderly,” and “Participation.” Penmarks Annual Literary Journal. Ed. Thomas, Josh and Finely, Kathleen. 28th ed. Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 2014. 56 - 58.
2014
PENMARKS 2014 ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL
Wagner, Hillary. Cover Image of “Study for Ways of Moving I.” Penmarks Annual Literary Journal. Ed. Thomas, Josh and Finely, Kathleen. 28th ed. Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 2014. Cover.
2013
PENMARKS 2013 ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL
Wagner, Hillary. Image of “Wax House.” Penmarks Annual Literary Journal. Ed. Medley, Mason. 27th ed. Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 2013. 41.
HONORS + AWARDS
2015 – 2017
DEAN'S SCHOLARSHIP
Parsons School of Design, The New School (TNS)
2014
ESTHER BUCHWALD ART AND DESIGN SENIOR AWARD
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)
2013
ESTHER BUCHWALD ART AND DESIGN JUNIOR AWARD
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)