Résumé

Amber Vanhatala Stene, M.F.A.

E D U C A T I O N
• MFA in painting and drawing, Wichita State University, College of Fine Arts, Wichita, KS, 2008
• BA in studio art, emphasis on painting and printmaking, Minor in creative writing, emphasis on poetry, University of Arizona, College of Fine Arts, Tucson, AZ, 2003

T E A C H I N G   E X P E R I E N C E
• Part-time Instructor for Art, Watercolor 1 & 2 – beginning and intermediate watercolor painting with a focus on contemporary use of water media.
Portland Community College, Cascade Campus, Spring 2011

• Instructor for Visual Communications, Computer Imaging 1 – taught entry-level skills in CS4: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver; addressed professional practices for business application.
Northern Arizona University, Spring 2010

• Instructor for Public Relations, Publications Design – in addition to the course below, developed a collaborative project between students of three disciplines: writing, photography, and publication design.
Northern Arizona University, Spring 2010

• Instructor for Public Relations, Publications Design – created course materials in strategy and design; developed tutorials, practices, and assignments utilizing Photoshop and InDesign; addressed professional practices as applied to business to prepare students for successful client and supplier relations.
Northern Arizona University, Fall 2009

• Instructor for Visual Communications, Graphic Design 1 – focus on design strategy, elements & principles of design, and relevant conceptual resolutions, and utlizing CS4: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Northern Arizona University, Fall 2009

• Graduate Teaching Instructor for Art Foundations, Direct Instructor for Design 1, hand and digital solutions.
Wichita State University, Fall 2008

• Graduate Teaching Instructor for Art Foundations, Direct Instructor for Drawing 1, concentration on value, perspective, and compostion.
Wichita State University, Fall 2008

• Assistant Graduate Teaching Instructor for Foundations Design 2, Direct Instructor for Adobe Illustrator.
Wichita State University, Spring 2008

• Assistant Graduate Teaching Instructor for Introduction to Oil and Acrylic Painting.
Wichita State University, Spring 2008

V I S U A L    C O M M U N I C A T I O N    E X P E R I E N C E
• Art Director/Associate Creative Director, Marketing & Communication, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
I met the expectations of the university student audience by creating work that was always fresh, yet within the WSU brand structure. Projects included advertising campaigns, college brochures, annual reports, announcements, posters, event collateral, and Web site design.

• Owner/Art Director, Mindthwack inc., Tucson, AZ / Wichita, KS / Portland, OR
As a design studio owner, I worked with clients to develop brands appropriate to the target market. As mindthwack principal and senior designer, I collaborate with husband/copywriter to develop strategic creative work. Clients included Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, University of Arizona, Arizona Opera, Intuit, IBM, AlphaGraphics, and Columbia Sportswear.

• Executive Art Director, Nordensson Advertising, Tucson, AZ
In addition to creating and producing a wide range of projects, I was responsible for overseeing the work of four full-time designers. Under my supervision, designers managed their own clients, ensuring brand integrity. I collaborated with all creatives to strategically develop concept-driven communications, and participated in client briefings and creative presentations.

• Graphic Designer, Wettstein/Bolchalk, Tucson, AZ
I perfected my design skills mentored by Tucson's most award-winning, creative agency.

• Graphic Designer, Taylor Advertising, Tucson, AZ
I began my ad career at Tucson's premiere agency, advancing from production artist to designer.

A W A R D S:    V I S U A L    C O M M U N I C A T I O N  
• Silver, Advertising Federation Addy Awards, “Mindthwack Web site,” Wichita, KS
• Silver, Bronze, and Excellence Awards, “Advertising Federation Addy Awards,” Wichita, KS
• Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Excellence Awards, “Advertising Federation Addy Awards, Tucson, AZ
• Judges Choice Award, Advertising Federation Addy Awards, “Arizona Opera direct mail,” Tucson, AZ

A W A R D S:    F I N E    A R T    &    P O E T R Y
• People’s Choice Award, “The Salon de Refusés,” Redline Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2008
• Best of Show, “Kansas Collegiate Aesthetics,” The Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, KS, 2008
• Merit, “Juried Photography Contest 2008,” Tangent Lab, Wichita, KS, 2008
• First Prize, Frederica & John Hearst Poetry Competition, “Starting Tomorrow,” Tucson, AZ, 2000
• Grand Prize, Frederica & John Hearst Poetry Competition, “Twinhood,” Tucson, AZ, 1999

E X H I B I T I O N S
S O L O    E X H I B I T I O N S
• "The Process of Elimination,” MFA Thesis Exhibition, WSU Shift Space Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2008
• "Revealing Self,” Rhatigan Student Center Gallery, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 2006
• "Risk Series,” Showcase Gallery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2003
• "Fandango,” The Screening Room, Tucson, AZ, 2001
• "Chocolate,” San Pedro Health, Sierra Vista, AZ, 2001

S H A R E D    E X H I B I T I O N S
• “West of Wichita,” three-person show, Delmar Riney Gallery, Pratt, KS, 2010
• "MFA Thesis Exhibition / Fall 2008,” two-person show, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita, KS, 2008
• “pulp non-fiction,” three-person show, Walnut Street Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2008

J U R I E D    E X H I B I T I O N S
• “Kansas Collegiate Aesthetics 2008,” The Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, KS, 2008
• “Juried Photography Contest 2008,” Tangent Lab, Wichita, KS, 2008
• “Wichita State University Student Exhibit,” Artsplace Ponca City, Ponca City, OK, 2006
• “Happily Ever After,” WSU Shift Space Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2006
• “Annual Juried Painting Guild,” Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS, 2006
• “Your City,” Fisch Haus Studios, Wichita, KS, 2005
• “2003 Mimesis 9,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ, 2003
• “2002 Mimesis 8,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ, 2002
• “Fourth Annual Drawing from the Figure,” The Drawing Studio, Tucson, AZ, 2002
• “Third Annual Drawing from the Figure,” Dinnerware Gallery, Tucson, AZ, 2001

G R O U P    E X H I B I T I O N S
• “The Fine Art of Greyhounds,” Practical Art, Phoenix, AZ, 2011
• “The Fine Art of Greyhounds,” East Side Art Gallery, Mesa, AZ, 2009
• “For Example,” Heterotopia, Wichita, KS, 2009
• “The Salon de Refusés,” Commerce Gallery and Redline Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2008
• “permanent connections,” Art & Design Gallery University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2007
• “The Participants,” ShiftSpace WSU, Wichita, KS, 2007
• “More Postage, Please,” ShiftSpace WSU, Wichita, KS, 2007
• “20/30 Fundraiser,” ShiftSpace WSU, Wichita, KS, 2006