WITH EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT FOCUS
Erin Cross received her MFA in Visual Studies. Her passion for kinesthetic/object based learning, student mentorship and bridging the academic gallery into the classroom has been a strong focus as a curator at Rall Gallery
GALLERY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
Developed and curated a range of temporary visual arts exhibitions in traditional and virtual format
Wrote exhibition summaries with the proposed timelines
Wrote and maintain Budget
Developed Community and Campus Programming focusing on Interactive and Object Based Learning
Wrote letters of introduction and invitation to incoming visiting artists
Acquisitions and Documentation of newly acquired art
Participated in Gallery openings
Mentored and aided student senior critiques and 2D studio senior shows
Served as Faculty liaison for visiting artists
Oversaw and facilitated the installation of exhibitions
Worked with the Alumni Advancement Office on the donations of artwork and newly acquired art collections
· Dr. Natalie Hahn, Mid-Century-Contemporary African Art Collection
· Anne Burkholder, Artist Collection
EDUCATION
Visual Studies, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA. MFA 2007
Studio Arts, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA BFA 2004
GRANTS AND AWARDS
United Women’s Art Prize (Shortlisted) 2021
Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Past President’s Award 2021
Doane University Faculty Research Grant 2020
19th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper, Bolton Ford Purchase Award 2007
Halizo Art Festival Printmaker’s Award 2006
Marginalia: National Graduate Student Juried Portfolio Purchase Award 2006
The Wild Water Rapids Research Fund, Old Dominion University 2006
GALLERY AND CURATORIAL PROJECTS
Soft Shapes, The Burkholder Project, Outback Gallery, Lincoln, NE February 2023 (Featuring Artists: April White, Matel Rokke and Hannah Demma)
Gilbert Fletcher: Painted Voices, Artist’s Journey into the World of Black Writers, Rall Gallery, Crete, Nebraska, April 2022
· Lincoln Public School Art’s and Humanities Student Gallery Visit and Artist Talk
· Lecture for Department of Art and Design Painting’s Students
Doane University’s Artist in Residence Program, 2021-2022 Invited Artist: Printmaker Sean StarWars, Doane University, Crete, NE, Artist in Residence Coordinator/Liaison, Program Director and Art Handler (March 28-April 8, 2022)
· Planned Community Engagement: Open Studio Workshops and Artist Demos
· Planned University Engagement: One on One Artist Critique and Printmaking Workshop
· Gallery: Solo Exhibition featuring Artist’s work created during the residency -student engagement included
“Natural Rites: Artwork by Lauren Woods” Rall Gallery, Crete, Nebraska, February 2022
· Figure Drawing Workshop Open to Art and Design Majors at Doane University
· Artist Talk, Open to the Community
· “Drawing Drop-In Saturdays” Open to the Community Drawing Sessions, Organizer
“Doane University’s Department Art and Design Annual Student Juried Exhibition” Crete Public Library, Crete Nebraska, Faculty Liaison, 1/10/2022-1/27/2022
· Presentation of Awards and Juror Talk (Live Virtual Event via Facebook Live and YouTube/StreamYard Streaming Platform)
“In Position: Figural Works from the Doane Permanent Art Collection” Rall Gallery, Crete, Nebraska, Curator, 09/2021- 10/2021
· “Drawing Drop-In Saturdays” Open to the Community Drawing Sessions, Organizer
· “The Figure in Response: Acting Theater Masterclass with Assistant Professor Joel Egger”, Organizer
“Doane University’s Department Art and Design Annual Student Juried Exhibition” Crete Public Library, Crete Nebraska, Faculty Liaison, 1/15/2021-4/25/2021
· Presentation of Awards and Juror Talk (Live Virtual Event via Facebook Live and YouTube/StreamYard Streaming Platform)
2020
“Value’s Value: The Element of Value Explored and Considered” Curated Drawings and Prints from the Doane University Art Collection, Rall Gallery (Traditional Gallery Format and Virtual), Crete, Nebraska, Curator, 9/2020-10/2020
“The Regionalist Triumvirate: Selected Lithographs by Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton” Doane University Art Collection, Rall Gallery, Crete Nebraska, Curator, 5/2020 -8/2020
2019
“Root Beliefs” Mixed Media Paintings by Heather Bryant, Rall Gallery, Crete, Nebraska, Curator/Exhibition Coordinator and Artist Liaison 10/2019-11/2019
· “Monoprinting/Mixed Media” Workshop by Visiting Artist, Heather Bryant, Artist Liaison and Assistant
· “Root Beliefs: Artist Talk with Heather Bryant”, Organizer
2018
“Disjunction” Drawings by Ming Ying Hong, Rall Gallery, Crete, Nebraska, Artist Liaison, 11/2018-12/2018
· “Disjunction: Artist Talk with Ming Ying Hong, Organizer
“Primary: Color Basics from the Doane University Art Collection” Rall Gallery, Nebraska, Curator, 05-8/2018
EXHIBITION CATALOGS
Cross, Erin and Emma Ryan. Gathering Table. Selected Artwork Celebrating Food. Issuu, 2021. Print and Online.
Cross, Erin. Travelogue: Places and Spaces from the Rall Gallery Permanent Collection. Issuu, 2021. Print and Online.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
INSTRUCTED WORKSHOPS (ADULTS)
2018
“The Process of Being Present: Creating a Practice of Daily Expression” NoneSuch/Main&Station Art Residency and Workshops, Parrsboro, NS
- One Day Workshop focusing on Contemporary Drawing Methods, Mindfulness and Artistic Practice
2015
“Papercutting: The Universal Cultural Craft” Museum of Contemporary Art of Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA
- One Day Workshop focusing on Papercutting History and Techniques
2014
“Contemporary Drawing Exercises” Norfolk Art Teacher Workshop, Norfolk Public School System, Norfolk, VA
- One Day Workshop
2013
“Sketchbook Documentation” The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, VA
“Book Binding” The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, VA
INSTRUCTED WORKSHOPS (K-12)
2015
“Using Papercutting and Collage in Stop Animation” Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School, Virginia Beach VA
“Visual Thinking Through Art Media: Papercuting/Layering” Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School, Virginia Beach VA
“Storyboarding/Storytelling”Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School, Virginia Beach, VA
- One Day Workshops to High School Students
2014
“The Art of Paper” Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School, Virginia Beach, VA
“Relief Printmaking Techniques” Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School, Virginia Beach, VA
- One Day Workshops to High School Students
2010
“Portrait Drawing for ages 6-10” Visual Art Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA
- Summer Week Workshop focusing on Self Identity and Portraiture for ages 6-10
Juror
Neptune Youth Art Show, Neptune Festival, Virginia Beach, VA 2016
Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA 2013
EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
2022
- The Robert L. Polk Lectureship Series for Race and Social Justice, 2021-2022 Invited Lecturer: Artist, Gilbert Fletcher, Doane Univeristy, Crete, NE, Gallery Artist Liaison, Committee Member, and Art Handler
The Robert L. Polk Lectureship on race and social justice, established by the Rev. Robert L. Polk, the first African-American to earn a degree from Doane University. The series allows for dynamic talks about race and social issues, preparing students for life and work in a diverse and global society.
2021
- Independent Study Course focus on Museum Studies, Doane University, Crete NE, Mentor-Instructor to Student
- Senior 2D Studio Art Exhibition Planning, Install and Technical Support, Doane Univeristy, Crete NE, Mentor-Instructor
- Donor Acquisition: Dr. Nancy Hahn’s Mid Century-Contemporary African Art Collection, Doane University, Crete and Lincoln, NE, Archivist, Art Handler and Curator
- Permanent Art Collection, Rall Gallery, Doane Univeristy, Crete NE, Archivist
- Window Painting for City of Crete’s Pumpkin Festival, Crete, NE, Faculty Support
2020
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Temporary Mural, Doane University, Crete, NE, Faculty Support and Co-Coordinator
- Senior 2D Studio Art Exhibition Planning, Install and Technical Support, Doane Univeristy, Crete NE, Mentor-Instructor
- Studio Art and Graphic Design Majors Virtual and Live Exhibitions, Doane University, Crete, NE, Faculty Support
- Elizabeth Warren Presidential Campaign, Council Bluffs, IA, Volunteer
2019
- Window Painting for City of Crete’s Pumpkin Festival, Crete, NE, Faculty Support
- Senior 2D Studio Art Exhibition Planning, Install and Technical Support, Doane Univeristy, Crete NE, Mentor-Instructor
- “Painting Face and Flesh” Workshop, by Visiting Artist Jee Hwang, Art Department, Crete, NE, Art Liaison and Assistant
2017
- “Relief Woodcut” Demonstration and Workshop by Visiting Artist Karen Kunc, Doane Art Department, Crete, Nebraska, Artist Liaison and Assistant
- Senior 2D Studio Art Exhibition Planning, Install and Technical Support, Doane Univeristy, Crete NE, Mentor-Instructor
- Artist, Bird of a Feather Public Art Project, City of Crete, NE, Co-collaborated with Artist Eric Sterns
PRESENTATIONS
2023
Speaker, “The Artist Sketchbook: Creating Storytelling and Myth” presented at Southern Humanities Conference, San Antonio, TX
2014
Speaker, “Color Theory and its Importance in Animated Films” presented at Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
2013
Discussant, “Future Trends and Developments for Teaching Drawing to Animators” presented at the Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences (VACAS) conference at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
ERIN MALIA CROSS: ARTIST + CURATOR + CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER 