COLLEEN
MCCARTY
BIO
RESUME



Academic Background
      The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
              Art Education Teaching Certification, K-12, May 2011
              Dean’s List, Honors Opportunity Program      
           
      Honors Research Project, College of Education Honors Opportunity Program, 2010-2011.  Under the
      mentorship of Dr. Rachel Marie Crane-Williams, researched the role of both the artist and the educator while
      completing a self-study.  Research culminated in a manuscript: “The Educator and the Artist: A Student Teacher’s
      Perspective”, a journal document, and a series of artwork.   

      Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
              Bachelor of Arts Degree, May 2006      Major: Studio Arts      Specialization: Painting      Minor: Spanish
              Cum Laude
              Phi Theta Kappa

Employment
      Hand in Hand, Inspiration Studio Program, Bettendorf, Iowa      January 2008-Present
      Visiting Artist: Art Instructor
              Create art workshops for Inspiration Studio participants.
              Implement art activities designed to fit the needs of children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.
              Encourage fun, educational, and social interaction in an engaging artistic environment.

      Family Museum, Stepping Stones Program, Bettendorf, Iowa      November 2008-September 2010        
      Outreach Art Educator and Summer Camp Art Educator  
              Planned, prepared, and organized multiple summer camps (Camposaurous Rex, Art Essentials, Art Exploration,   
                Mixed Media, Shopping Cart Art, and Painting Techniques) for ages 3-11.
              Facilitated enriching and interactive art experience for Open Art Studio sessions.
              Integrated art activities and acted as art collaborator for New Blues Preschool Program.

      Moline School District #40, Moline, Illinois      October 2008-May 2009
      United Township High School (U.T.H.S) School District #30, East Moline, Illinois      October 2008-May 2009                   
      Substitute Teacher, K-12 Certification
              Proficiently executed permanent teachers’ lesson plans.
              Constructively assisted individuals with learning and behavior disabilities.
              Excellent classroom management skills employed throughout a variety of classroom settings.

      Evergreen Artworks, Bettendorf, Iowa      August 2000-May 2008  
      Framing and Design Consultant          
              Guided customers through the selection process of framing and displaying 2D and 3D artwork.  
              Proficiently performed professional on-site art installation.
              Efficiently utilized Full Calc, PC. to precisely document orders.
              Practiced archival, museum quality framing methods.
              Competently executed inventory, stock, and clerical responsibilities.

      Augustana College, Centennial Hall & Wallenberg Hall, Rock Island, Illinois       2004-2006            
      Stage Manager & House Manager
              Meticulously operated audiovisual elements and PC Stage Lighting to successfully accommodate musical and    
                theater productions.
              Responsibly secured the Augustana Art Collection by implementing security procedures and operating alarm
                systems.
              Methodically completed necessary setup and strike routines to effectively prepare for performances.
                                  

      Quad City Arts, Metro Arts Program, Rock Island, Illinois       Summer 2005        
      Senior Art Apprentice
              Directly assisted lead sculptor artist and collaborated artistic direction of sculpture projects.
              Skillfully demonstrated new sculpture projects while educating and advising art apprentices.

Volunteer Experience
         The ARTery Gallery, Midcoast Fine Arts, Rock Island, Illinois      2009-Present
         Mark Twain Elementary, Iowa City, Iowa      Fall Semester 2009
         Left Bank Art League Gallery, Rock Island, Illinois      2008
         Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI), Cuenca, Ecuador      Summer 2004
         River Action, Davenport, Iowa      2001-2002

Awards and Honors
        Alpha Vaky Wingard Art Award, Augustana College      2006
         Annual Collegiate Artists Competition Finalist, Illinois Board of Higher Education      2006
         Bechtel Trust Presidential Scholarship      2004-2006
         Acomb Art Scholarship      September 2005
         Left Bank Art League Scholarship      2005
         Augustana Art Scholarship      2003-2006
         Phi Theta Kappa Award, Academic Scholarship      2003-2006
         Eddie Mabry Award on Diversity, Analytical and Creative Awards      2004 & 2006
         Scott Community College Honors Program, Honors Independent Study      2003
         Project 21 Scholarship, Poster, Essay and Video Scholarship, Rhythm City Casino      2003 & 2002

Art Exhibitions
         Art Inspires Writing, Juried Exhibition, University of Iowa Writing Center, Iowa City, Iowa      Fall 2010
         Blackhawk College, Juried Exhibition, East Moline, Illinois      October 2010
         Blank Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa     Spring 2010
         Interpretive Dance Exhibit, Juried Exhibition, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, Illinois      October 2008
         Follow the Horses, Juried Exhibition, Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa      April 2007
         Mid Coast Fine Arts, River Center, Davenport, Iowa      September 2006
         State Street Gallery, Annual Collegiate Artists Finalist, Robert Morris College, Chicago, Illinois      May 2006
         Augustana College Senior Exhibit, Augustana Museum of Art, Rock Island, Illinois      May 2006
         Venus Envy, Bucktown Center for the Arts, Davenport, Iowa      April 2008, 2007, 2006
         Left Bank Art League Gallery, Group show, Rock Island, Illinois      March 2006
         Peanut Gallery, Group show, Rock Island, Illinois      June 2005
         Celebrating Women in the Arts, Sigma Alpha Iota, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois      April 2005
         Thomas Tredway Library, Juried Exhibition, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois      Spring 2005 & Spring 2006

Art Donations
         Botanical Center, Flamingo Follies, Rock Island, Illinois      2010
         Silent Chair Auction, Family Care Solutions, Hand in Hand, Bettendorf, Iowa      2009
         16th Annual Red Ribbon Dinner and Great Art Auction, AIDS Project Quad Cities, Davenport, Iowa      2009
         Paul Norton Elementary School, Bettendorf, Iowa      2008
         Valentine’s Art Auction, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, Illinois      2007
         Gilda’s Club Quad Cities, Davenport, Iowa      2006
         Cancer Fundraiser, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois      2003
ARTIST STATEMENT



The abstract lets me breathe.  Everything and nothingness give me room to stretch out, room to imagine.  The abstract
relinquishes the necessity to harbor thoughts of the absolute sense of reality, and instead allows me to ask, Where is my
imagination’s role in reality?  With my work, the imagined is continually crossing over into reality and appearing on two and
three-dimensional surfaces with an abundance of colors.  

One of the most precious aspects of my art is the process.  It evolves through physical actions as well as psychological
steps.  Each new step I take leads me to the next one and each utilizes aspects of previous discoveries as well as my
experimental tendencies.  My abstract work is incredibly spontaneous and intricately consuming at the same time.  Every
shape, line, and wave of meaning entangled.  Opposing elements such as control verses spontaneity, and sharp lines
against a relaxed brush stroke are constantly trying to reach equilibrium.  My techniques act as metaphors for the balance I
try to achieve within myself and my life.  My art is a reflection of my experiences and interpretations of the world around me.

A vast amount of my work also encompasses figurative studies.  I focus on exploring the figure in simple and complex
shapes using line and color.  Each body part, composed from a realm of discovered shapes created and nourished
throughout the development of each piece.  The use of lines, act as a tool, allowing abstract images to thrive within and
outside of the body’s borders.  This gives shape to texture and accents each focal mass. There is beauty in abstract
because there will always be elements within that are unknown, the same can be said about the human.  The abstract
gives us space to imagine.  The simplest line can be the beginning to the utmost complexity and the grounds for all the
layers to come.