Gwen Partin
Teaching Area:
Applied Visual Arts
Biography:
I teach because it is about giving back. It lets me indulge my generous spirit. Teaching is about imparting knowledge to someone else so they can grow. Teaching is being involved in the community and society.
Teaching art and design is an avenue for my expression as an artist. The process of teaching is a process of learning and discovery for me. Learning is something I seek continually to improve myself as an artist and to gain greater understanding to be a better teacher. Teaching is inspiration. Seeing learning happen is very inspiring, validating and motivating. The ideas that come from both teaching and observing the learner feed my pool of inspiration.
Visual communication is a driving force in the evolution of visual culture. Our creativity and what we design from that has great impact on our society and our future. We need to be aware of that and take responsibility as artists and designers to bring high quality into every image and design we create. Part of my job as a teacher is to develop the awareness to recognize quality and then show how to create quality imagery through skill building, design principles and creative problem solving.
Education
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B.A., Art Studio from Sonoma State University in Sonoma county, California
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M.F.A. in Printmaking from Academy of Art in San Francisco, California
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Certificate in Marketing/Communications, San Jose State University, California
With over 20 years experience as a marketing specialist, a graphic designer and an illustrator, I learned most of my career knowledge on assignment at my various places of work.
Every chance I get I enroll in a workshop, retreat, seminar or conference relating to art or teaching art. I have completed extension courses at the UM including the split rock arts program, the botanical arts program at the Como Conservatory in St. Paul, and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, among other venues.
Career Path
After art school I worked in marketing for about eight years, learning the design and printing trades. I then worked directly in graphic design and illustration for ten more years. During these years I worked for a variety of companies including trade associations, financial companies, advertising and marketing agencies, graphic design studios and commercial printers. I did freelance design and illustration and taught workshops and courses in printmaking and botanical art for a few years before coming to DCTC. I’ve been teaching here in Applied Visual Arts since 2002. I am also a practicing fine artist and have a studio in Northeast Minneapolis.
Hobbies:
While I am not teaching, I enjoy working in my studio creating artwork, going to art museums and galleries, and working toward exhibiting my artwork. My artistic interests center around printmaking, painting and drawing. I am also interested in birdwatching, hiking, outdoor adventure, anything about nature, naturalist activities, and gardening.
Carl Nelson
Teaching Area:
Design Fundamentals, Typography, Creative Problem Solving
Biography:
I enjoy teaching for the opportunity to help students. To give them insights based on my personal and professional experiences and help them discover their own creative potential.
The future of visual communications will continue to rely on electronic medium where knowledge and ability in software will be essential. Because the spotlight is focused on that arena, the basics…design and layout fundamentals will become all the more important in defining quality creative solutions. Those students that possess both disciplines will have the advantage in the workforce.
Work Experience:
Scott Assoc. Advertising - Champaign IL
The Missoulian Newspaper Art Dept.- Missoula MT
Vela/Nelson/Meisner Design - Missoula Mt
J. MacLachlan & Assoc. Advertising - Appleton WI
J. MacLachlan & Assoc. Advertising - Minnetonka MN
Chance/Nelson & Assoc. Advertising – Eden Prairie MN
Education:
- BFA in Graphic Design, University of Illinois
Hobbies:
Art: landscape & still life painting (oil, pastel & watercolor Sports: tennis, basketball, swimming, skiing, camping, canoeing, fishing, reading, travel