AMBER VANHATALA
STENE
4442 Falcon Street
Wichita, KS 67220
316-744-7308
amber@mindthwack.com
www.mindthwack.com
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I am creating
a body of work that explores the social dynamics of exclusion and inclusion.
In my art, I
address the trials that one endures to become included in a group, and the
efforts needed to maintain that privileged status. I also want to consider
those who exclude others, and how they justify their ostracizing behavior.
To reveal additional aspects of exclusion and inclusion, I explore the circumstances
surrounding what makes a person become an outsider, and the complexities of
that exclusion.
Through this
body of work on exclusion and inclusion, I will expose how the hidden emotions
of compassion and disregard apply to individuals or warring nations.
I am also interested
in exploring the connections between humans and animals concerning compassion
and disregard, whether brought on by circumstance, opportunity, or entropy.
RESUME
EDUCATION
- Wichita State
University College of Fine Arts, MFA candidate in painting and drawing.
Wichita, KS, 2006 - present
- Wichita State
University College of Fine Arts, post-graduate studies in painting and drawing.
Wichita, KS, 2005
- University
of Arizona College of Fine Arts, BA in studio art, Magna Cum Laude, emphasis
on painting and printmaking; minor in creative writing, emphasis on poetry.
Tucson, AZ, 2003.
INDIVIDUAL
EXHIBITIONS
- "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, 2005
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
- "Wichita
State University Student Exhibit," Artsplace Ponca City, Ponca City,
OK, 2006
- "Happily
Ever After," WSU Shift Space Gallery, Wichita, KS, 2006
- "Your
City," Fisch Haus Studios, Wichita, 2005, Juror: Robert Bubp, Assistant
Professor, Wichita State University, 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
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
- "3rd
Floor Gallery," Wichita State University College of Fine Arts,
Wichita,
KS, 2006
- "2nd
Floor Gallery," Wichita State University College of Fine Arts,
Wichita, KS, 2005
- "2002
Gala," Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ, 2002
PROFESSIONAL
ACTIVITIES
Open-Studio Life
Drawing Monitor, The Drawing Studio, Tucson, AZ, 1996-2004. Founder: Andrew
Rush
ART-RELATED
EMPLOYMENT
- Art Director,
Marketing & Communications, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 2004-present
- Owner/Art
Director, Mindthwack inc., Tucson, AZ / Wichita, KS, 1990-present
- Senior Art
Director, Nordensson Advertising, Tucson, AZ, 1980-1990
- Graphic Designer,
Wettstein/Bolchalk & Taylor Advertising, Tucson, AZ, prior to 1980
AWARDS
- Advertising
Federation Addy Awards: Judges Choice Award, Tucson, AZ, 1996
- Advertising
Federation Addy Awards: numerous Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Excellence Awards;
Tucson, AZ, 1986-2004
- Frederica
& John Hearst Poetry Competition: Grand Prize 1999, Tucson, AZ
- Frederica
& John Hearst Poetry Competition: First Place 2000, Tucson, AZ
PUBLICATIONS
- "Making
Spaghetti" and "Three Drawings from Life," Sandscript, 2000-2001,
cover, pp. 16-18
- "Muse
of the Millennium," Anklam Road Review, Spring 2000, cover
- "Raw
Material," Anklam Road Review, Spring 1999, cover
