Collis Caroline Marshall

I received a masters' degree in fine arts/studio art and creativity with a thesis exhibition in 2005. My professional training also conferred a masters' degree in Expressive Arts Therapies through Allied Health (1998), and I received my B.F.A. in fiber with a concentration in beadwork (1994), all from the University of Louisville. I have a proven record of writing and receiving grant money to support my work as a bead artist and art specialist. I maintain a sewing studio outside my home and try to work there as often as my schedule allows.

I work as a substitute teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools, primarily in the elementary grades, but also in middle school and locked facilities. I conduct art-making workshops throughout the region at local libraries, hospitals and schools through VSA arts KY and Arts Access programs. Community art projects include a 'Gallopalooza' horse for Kutz-Kleinert hand surgeons and a 300 square foot mural at the Louisville Nature Center.

I am enthusiastic about traveling throughout the region to make art, and I have no schedule limitations or previous commitments at this time. The beauty of substitute teaching is that I can create my availability hours. In October 2006 I was invited to bring a collection of my work to Mt. Ida College near Boston, Massachusetts, for an exhibition called "Beadwork 21st Century Style". I spoke on a panel of eight contemporary bead artists about my work. This was a great honor for me and I have renewed confidence to continue serious pursuit of my craft.

Artistic Excellence
The beadwork and mixed media textile work I create is both sculptural and sometimes wearable art. I have an experiential openness to materials and techniques, and problem solving is a great motivation for me. I search for the unifying thread, which connects the expression of my inner emotional state to apalette. Over the past decade I have had my work published often, sold to private collectors and exhibited consistently on a local level. I find joy and humor through my labor-intensive process and I have traveled extensively to participate in conferences with other bead artists. Perseverance with my primary art medium has taught me that delayed gratification and patience are of great value in my life.

Teaching and Residency Experience
As a fulltime substitute teacher in public schools I am comfortable entering unfamiliar classrooms and working with children of a diversity of ages and abilities. I also participate in teacher training institutes when a creativity specialist is called for. The ability to coordinate academic, social and emotional learning is part of the path of wellness that I strive for. I work with many exceptional children on a regular basis, in both regular and ECE classrooms in public schools and through artist residencies with VSArts KY, working with at risk and traumatized children.

Driftwood 'talking sticks', bead weaving and gourd rattles five-day residency with kindergarten through second graders

KY Core Content: Native American crafts, social skills, and geography with the elements and principles of art, music and storytelling.

The goals of this residency are

1) to encourage creative thinking and problem solving,
2) increase individual self-esteem, listening skills and positive group communication, and
3) environmental education awareness will be enhanced through using items found in nature, such as driftwood sticks, gourds, raffia and feathers.

Children will be guided to create crafts with an emphasis on individual creativity and personal symbolism. The life cycles of native Kentucky creatures will be discussed with regard to family values and the natural history of the area. A video, drumming and CD music will be provided to enhance the experience.  Storytelling and photo documentation for parents and a performance piece at the school will be encouraged.

These activities show participants that what they think, feel, and say is important to everyone in the class and hopefully will result in making good choices. The projects allow everyone to express creativity while fulfilling core content objectives, and making something unique and meaningful. Respecting the validity of other viewpoints is encouraged by adapting cultural emblems shared around the globe among many diverse societies.