Jen Thomas
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Profile
As Book Arts Program Director, Jen works with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to develop and implement a variety of print and book programming utilizing Boatwright’s growing studio. Jen holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book & Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago, a BFA in Communication Art from Virginia Commonwealth University, and previously taught graphic design and book arts at DePaul University, the American Academy of Art, and The Chicago High School for the Arts. From 2012–2015 Jen was founding director of werkspace, a gallery and community arts space dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging artists, while also offering community arts workshops focusing on book arts and print media.
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Grants and Fellowships
Weinstein International Travel Grant, Book Arts in South Africa: Expanding Dialogue and Creating Connections, 2020 (Travel postponed due to COVID-19)
Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL, 2007 & 2010 (residency)
Women’s Studio Workshop, Rosendale, NY, 2005 (studio fellowship)
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Awards
Richmond Academic Library Consortium Scholarship for the Profession, 2021-2022
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Presentations
“Intersecting Spaces: Integrating Community-based Books Arts Instruction in the Undergraduate Classroom,” panelist, College Book Art Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 3, 2020
Professional Portfolio Symposium, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, 2014 (visiting artist)
Global Implications, SGCI Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, pulp printing demonstration, 2010
Printer’s Ball, Chicago, IL, pulp printing demonstration, 2009
Reading: A Selection of Artist Books, Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, School of the Art Institute Chicago, 2009 & 2010 (reading)
Literary Gangs of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL, 2007 (reading)
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, Student Printmakers’ Association, 2007 (visiting artist)
Longwood University, Farmville, VA, Art and Design Department, 2006 (visiting artist)
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Memberships
College Book Art Association
Art Libraries Society of North America
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Professional Experience
Book Arts Program Director, University of Richmond (2017 - Present)
Adjunct Faculty, Communication Arts Department, Virginia Commonwealth University (2018 - 2020)
Instructor, Visual Arts Department, The Chicago High School for the Arts (2014 - 2017)
Lecturer, College of Computing and Digital Media, DePaul University (2014 - 2016)
Founder and Director, werkspace (2012 - 2016)
Adjunct Faculty, Illustration & Design Department, Illinois Institute of Art (2011 - 2015)
Faculty, Graphic Design and Illustration Departments, American Academy of Art (2010 - 2014)
Adjunct Faculty, Visual Communications Department, Sanford Brown School of Design (2008 - 2018)
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Grants and Fellowships
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Publications
Book Chapters
1000 Artists’ Books, Sandra Salamony with Peter & Donna Thomas, Quarry Books, 2012, 173 & 239.
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In the News
Book Arts in College and University Libraries, Part 2 - Book Art Theory
Tue., Feb. 15, 2022Book Arts in College and University Libraries, Part 1 - Book Art Theory
Tue., Feb. 1, 2022Masks Up, 6 Feet Apart, And Still Making Art - UR Now
Mon., Oct. 5, 2020Hands-On Approach - Spider Insider
Fri., Mar. 15, 2019Yes, this is a book - University of Richmond Magazine
Mon., Oct. 15, 2018Jen Thomas: Academy Instructor, Artist, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Inspiration - American Academy of Art Newsletter,
Mon., Jul. 15, 2013not to be missed - Anchor Graphics @ Columbia College Chicago,
Wed., Oct. 15, 2008Portfolio: Book & Paper Arts - DEMO, Vol. 3, Issue 3
Tue., Jul. 15, 2008Stand and Deliver Exhibition: Engineering Sculpture into a Book Format - Tabellae Ansatae Vol. 3, No. 3,
Fri., Oct. 15, 2004Lauren Schott Pearson, City Art: Everything Old is New Again - CS
Mon., Mar. 15, 2004 - Links