CV | hillarywagner

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

CURATORIAL WORK

08/2018 - 09/2018 HEAD CURATOR

BIRD CLOSET - Schnormeier Gallery, Mount Vernon Nazarene University(MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH

10/2017 HEAD CURATOR

SOIL SERIES Community Studio Exhibition - 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

2 x 2: art in conversation - 25 East Gallery, New York, NY

05/2016 ASSISTANT TO CURATORIAL MANAGER, JULIA FRIEDMAN

Madison Square Art Symposium: Dreaming Public Art - School of Visual Arts (SVA) Theatre, 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

A solo exhibition at DSGN CLLCTV in Cincinnati, OH - Curated by Julia Green

08/2018 - 09/2018 BIRD CLOSET

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

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

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 x TWO: ART IN CONVERSATION

25 East Gallery, New York, NY

03/2016 FALLING DOWN 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

SELECTED TALKS, PANELS + INTERVIEWS

04/2024 ARTIST TALK

HOMEMAKING: AN OVERTURE A solo exhibition at DSGN CLLCTV in Cincinnati, OH - Curated by Julia Green

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

Bad at Sports Podcast ("Episode 639: Art and Ecology") - Queens Museum, Queens, NY

05/2018 INVITED SPEAKER

(“A Year in Appalachia”) - Open Engagement 2018 Conference - Queens Museum, Queens, NY

02/2018 & 03/2018 VISITING ARTIST + INVITED SPEAKER

(“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

(“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

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS + PRESS

2020 GUGGENHEIM PRACTICUM PUBLICATION I

Anifowoshe, Kanyinsola, and Janower, Mikki. “A Community Is a Garden.” Sustainable Futures: Guggenheim Summer Practicum, 2020.

2020 GUGGENHEIM PRACTICUM PUBLICATION II

Anifowoshe, Kanyinsola, and Janower, Mikki. “A Community Is a Garden: Tools for Artists, Communities, and Institutions.” Mikki Janower, 2020.

2019 ANYWHERE III

Bird Closet. “Three Conversations.” Project Anywhere Conference Publication. 2019. 111 – 116.

2018 PLOUGH QUARTERLY

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.

SOCIAL PRACTICE WORK

06/2018 - 07/2018 CO-ORGANIZER, INSTRUCTOR + COLLABORATING ARTIST

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 – 08/2020 CO-FOUNDER + COLLABORATING ARTIST

Bird Closet - An art collective that developed organically from the relationships established as part of SOIL SERIES: A Social Drawing, a 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 – 03/2020 CO-FOUNDER + COLLABORATING ARTIST

SOIL SERIES: A Social Drawing - A socially-engaged artwork in Bethel, OH, a rural Appalachian village

Administrated of the project’s website, blog, and social media presence -Wrote curriculum for and teaching art classes through a free, public, all-ages art program -Performed grant writing and funding research
Managed partnerships with various local organizations

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

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

03/2020 CERAMICS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Felicity-Franklin Local School District, Felicity, OH

Taught 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 PUBLIC 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

04/2019 – 05/2019 LONG-TERM PUBLIC 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

08/2018 - 12/2018 NKU 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 NKU 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

01/2018 – 05/2018 LONG-TERM PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

West Clermont High School, Cincinnati, OH

Planned and taught lessons for English I, Art Foundations I, Art Foundations II, and Drawing II

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

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

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
Fulfilled administrative role for online non-profit presence

05/2011 - 06/2011 INTERN ART CAMP DIRECTOR

Rocketown, Nashville, TN

Taught daily art classes

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

01/2026 - CURRENT EXHIBITION ASSISTANT

Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Directed by Mary Anne Redding, Senior Curator and Mandy Bass, Lead Preparator/Installer
Supports museum by handling logistics, organizing artwork, preparing gallery spaces, and managing administrative tasks to ensure exhibitions launch and run smoothly

08/2021 - 06/2024 CERAMICS STUDIO DIRECTOR OF RETAIL

Queen City Clay, Cincinnati, OH

Managed a team and oversaw all aspects of the retail department (ceramics supply store) at one of the nation’s the largest community clay education facilities
Duties included but were not limited to handling: inventory, school/university/large accounts orders, social media and marketing, customer service, ordering and sale of tools, materials and equipment, POS maintenance, etc.

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 deinstallation of works in galleries and outdoor public locations
Assisted in running studio events

01/2013 - 05/2014 ART CLUB MEMBER

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Mount Vernon, OH