About Us

Courses Taught

• ART 121 – Design Foundation I

• ART 235 – Introduction to Photography

• ART 335 – Studio Photography

• ART 349 – Professional Practices II

• ART 486 – Senior Thesis

• ART 499 – Independent Study

Specialties

• Alternative Process Photography

• Digital Photography

• Digital Printmaking

• Film Photography

• Large Format Photography

• Lighting

• Post Production

Education

• M.F.A. Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI (2005)

• B.F.A. University of Wisconsin-River Falls, WI (1998)

Bio

Brett Kallusky is a photographic artist living in Minneapolis, MN. He has taught as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls while maintaining an active photographic studio practice since 2012. His photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally and have appeared in numerous publications; most recently, his photography book Landfill was published in 2022 (George Thompson Publishing). Kallusky has been a Fulbright Fellow to Italy, received three Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants and many Faculty Professional Development Grants from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is a two-time finalist for the McKnight Fellowship for Photography and Visual Arts. He is currently a national board member of the Society for Photographic Education and Art Department Chair.

Professional Activities

Recent Outreach

• SPE (Society for Photographic Education) National Portfolio Reviewer (2012-2018)
• Minnesota State Arts Board Panelist, Photography (2013-2015)
• Visiting Artist: Minneapolis Photo Center (2016), Grandview University (2015), Anoka Ramsey Community College (2014)

Recent Exhibitions (Selected)

• Overlook/Sugar Street (solo), Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN (2018)
• Particularities (group), Gallery 71, Minneapolis, MN (2017)
• Art of Teaching: Concordia University Photography Biennial (group), St. Paul, MN (2016)
• Line of Communication (solo), Grandview University, Des Moines, IA (2015)
• Line of Communication (solo), Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI (2015)

Awards

• UWRF Faculty and Teaching Academic Staff Professional Development (2012-2018)
• Minnesota State Arts Board, Artists Initiative Grant, Photography (2009, 2013)
• Miguel Vinciguerra Fulbright, Italy (2006)
• Fulbright Travel Grant, Italy (2006)

Courses Taught

• ART 100 – Introduction to Art
• ART 235 – Introduction to Photography
• ART 224 – Digital Graphics
• ART 289/389 – Special Topics (Wet Plate Collodion)

Specialties

• Experimental, sculptural, and alternative processes through darkroom photography

Education

• MFA Photography and Related Media from the Rochester Institute of Technology
• BFA Photography from University of Wisconsin – River Falls

Bio

Lynn Bierbaum is a photographer and glass artist currently residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She believes that her interest in photographic process stems not from viewing the world through a lens, but from the origin of the word photography, meaning “painting with light”, expressing that photographs do not have to always be made through a camera, but through the universal phenomenon of light. Her sculptural photographic work combines darkroom techniques derived from her blown glass, in order to warp and bend light to convey her personal perception of time and memory.

Professional Activities

• 2023–Present, Art Lecturer, The University of Wisconsin River Falls, River Falls, WI
• 2021–Present, Writer and Curator, Analog Forever Magazine, San Francisco, CA
• 2023–Present, Glass Blowing Instructor, Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, Minneapolis, MN
• 2021–22, Instructor of Record, Rochester Institute of Technology, Henrietta, NY
• 2022, Workshop Instructor and Wet Plate Collodion Coordinator, Experimental Photo Festival 2022, Barcelona, Spain 
• 2022–2023, Digital Print and Bookbinding Assistant to Eric Kunsman, Booksmart Studio, Rochester, NY

Recent Exhibitions

• 2024, Alumni Exhibition, the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI
• 202, Living Image 2023/2024, Halide Project, Philadelphia, PA — Juried by: Ann Jastrab
• 2023, International Alternative Processes 2023, Soho Photo Gallery, New York, NY — Juried by: Elizabeth Avedon
• 2023, MFA Photography Review Homecoming 2022-2023, RIT City Art Space, Rochester, NY — Juried by: Booksmart Studio and Float Magazine
• 2023, 68th Rochester – Finger Lakes Exhibition, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY — Juried by: Molly Donovan
• 2023, Proceeding the Future – 2023 MFA Thesis Exhibition, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
• 2023, 2023 Juried Exhibition, Carnigie Art Center, Mankato, MN — Juried by: Ben Gessner
• 2023, Image as Object: Alternatives 2023, Ohio University Art Galleries, Athens, OH — Juried by: Deborah Orloff
• 2023, 10th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR
• 2022, Light Sensitive, an Alternative Photographic Exhibition, Art Intersection, Gilbert, AZ — Juried by: Elizabeth Opalenik
• 2022, Anth(r)opogeny in Contemporary Photography, Institut d’Estudis Fotogràphics de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain — Juried by: Cali Banks
• 2022, Other Ways of Seeing: Alternative Processes in Photography, Culture Lab, Long Island City, NY — Juried by: Pierre-Yves Linot and Orestes Gonzalez
• 2020, Reflections: A Glass and Photography Exhibition, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL
• 2020, Light Sensitive: An Alternative Photographic Exhibition, Art Intersection, Gilbert, AZ — Juried by: Brian Taylor

 Recent Publications

• 2023, Included Artist, “Homecoming 2022-23”, MFA Photography Reviews, Rochester, NY
• 2022, Interviewed Artist, “Flame and Fire” November/December Issue, 585 Magazine, Rochester, NY — https://www.585mag.com/encapsulated-memories/ 
• 2022, Exhibition Catalog “Other Ways of Seeing”: Alternative Processes in Photography, Culture Lab
• 2021, Meet the Staff: Lynn Bierbaum – Social Media and Community Manager (Online), Analog Forever Magazine — https://www.analogforevermagazine.com/features-interviews/meet-the-staff-lynn-bierbaum

Recent Awards/Grants

• 2023, Walker D and Helen Bryant Wyman Visiting Professorship, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI

Courses Taught

• Art 238 – Introduction to Painting
• Art 338 – Studio Painting
• Art 224 – Digital Graphics

Specialties

• Painting & Drawing
• Adobe Creative Cloud

Education

• 2019, MFA, Studio Art, Painting, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• 2014, MA, Distinguished Graduate Student, Studio Art, Painting, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
• 2013, BFA summa cum laude, Art, Graphic Design, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Bio

In my work, I am interested in how our human relationship with the landscape and natural phenomena can lead us to think about the interconnectivity of existence, as well as time, place, space, meditation, and ritual. In my work, I draw upon the history of landscape painting and abstraction, together with ecotheology*, to communicate spiritual ideas in relation to creation. 

I use a combination of representation and abstraction to convey the euphoric, transcendental sensation of my initial encounter with the subject matter. Together, the imagery and the colors revive not only the visual senses, but also the psyche. I hope the references to creation will invite viewers in, while the abstraction will challenge viewers to perceive in a way that goes beyond the surface of the painting, so they can explore their own thoughts and beliefs.

*Celia Deane-Drummond, A Primer in Ecotheology: Theology for a Fragile Earth (Oregon: Cascade Books, 2017), 131. “Ecotheology … is concerned with people and creatures as part of the wondrous gift of God the Creator.” 

Professional Activities

Recent Exhibitions (Juried & Selected)

• 2021, Harmonize, Laura Mesaros Gallery, Canady Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 
• 2021, Harmony, Saville Gallery, Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD 
• 2020, 3rd Place, Painting, The In Art Gallery, Online Gallery (Juror: Hagit Barkai) 
• 2020, Another Moment in Time, Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild, Inc., Cutchogue, NY (Juror: Seung Lee) 
• 2020, 7th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR (Juried Exhibition) (catalog) 
• 2020, Small Works Juried Exhibition, Kent State University Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH (Juror: Gianna Commito) 
• 2020, Open Theme Annual 2020, Webster Arts, St. Louis, MO (Juror: Melody Evans) 
• 2019, TRANSCENDENCE, Manifest Gallery, Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Cincinnati, OH (Juried Exhibition) 
• 2019, PAINTED BIENNIAL, Manifest Gallery, Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Cincinnati, OH (Juried Exhibition) (catalog) 

Lectures

• 2021, Artist Lecture, Bloch Hall, Canady Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• 2021, Artist Talk, “Working in Harmony: Exploring Visual & Thematic Connections,” Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD

Awards

• 2020, Faculty Travel/Development Grant, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• 2019, Striving for Excellence in College and University Teaching Certificate, The Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• 2018, Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Graduate Student Research Award, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 

Publications

• Friend of The Artist. Studio Image Project: Americas II. October 4, 2021. https://www.friendoftheartist.com/americas-ii.  
• Freeman, Hannah K. “Hannah K Freeman: Inside the Artist’s Studio.” By Allegany Arts Council. Allegany Arts Council, (Feb. 2021). Email blast. 
• Cutshall, Jennifer Gillia. “INSIDE the ABSTRACT, post #4: Of Spheres & Building Blocks of abstraction (4 artists today).” Verum Ultimum Art Gallery (blog). April 4, 2020. https://www.verumultimumartgallery.com/post/inside-the-abstract-post-4-of-spheres-building-blocks-of-abstraction-4-artists-today. 
• Cutshall, Jennifer Gillia. 7th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, cover, 2. Portland, OR: Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, 2020.  
• The Juggler: Literature, Art and Design at Notre Dame 87 (Fall 2018): 12–13, 22–23. 
• Freeman, Hannah. “Fusing Romantic Landscape Painting and Abstract Surrealism: An Interview with Hannah K. Freeman.” By Laura Donnelly. Center for Theology, Science and Human Flourishing, (Oct. 2018). https://ctshf.nd.edu/posts/fusing-romantic-landscape-painting-and-abstract-surrealism/.  

Volunteer Work

• 2021–2022, Mentor, EIU Graduate School Mentorship Program, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (Mentees: MA Candidates in 2D Studio: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking)
• 2020, Mentor, University of Notre Dame Alum
• 2019–2020, Mentor, EIU Graduate School Mentorship Program, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (Mentee: MA Candidate in Painting)

Courses Taught

• ART 100 – Intro to Visual Art
• ART 250 – Child Art
• ART 251 – Middle School and Secondary Art
• TED 265 – Fine Arts for Elementary Teachers
• TED 430 – Techniques in Art

Specialties

• Art Education
• Design Thinking

Education

• ABD, Curriculum and Instruction: Arts in Education, University of Minnesota
• Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instruction: Arts in Education, University of Minnesota
• Teaching Licensure program, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Bachelor of Arts, English Literature with a minor in Art, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA

Selected publications and presentations

• Friedmeyer, W. (2020), Developing a rubric for teaching and assessing design thinking across the curriculum
• In Hokanson, B., Exter, M., Grincewicz, A., Schmidt, M., & Tawfik, A. (Eds.), Intersections Across Disciplines Interdisciplinarity and Learning (Educational Communications and Technology: Issues and Innovations Ser) (pp. 225–264). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG.
• Friedmeyer, W. (2019) A rubric for teaching and assessing design thinking across the K12 curriculum. Paper Presentation at the 2019 AECT Summer Research Symposium, Bloomington, IN
• Friedmeyer, W. (2018) Narratives of Four Art Educators’ STEAM Encounters. Panel Presentation at the 2018 NAEA National Convention, Seattle, WA
• Friedmeyer, W. (2016) Teachers’ perceptions of the effect of physical space on student engagement. Presentation at the LearnXDesign 2016 conference, Wilmington, DE.
• Friedmeyer, W. (2016) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in the Art Studio. Presentation at the 2016 NAEA National Convention, Chicago, IL

Courses Taught

• Art 100 – Introduction to Ceramics
• Art 121 – Design Foundations I
• Art 122 – Design Foundations II
• Art 227 – Introduction to Ceramics
• Art 327 – Studio Ceramics
• Art 349 – Professional Practice II
• Art 289/389 – Special Topics

Specialties

• Clay Mixing
• Wheel Throwing
• Handbuilding
• Glaze Mixing
• Glaze Application
• Kiln Firing (Low-fire, Mid-fire, High-fire)
• Kiln Maintenance 

Education

• 2009–2011, Master of Fine Arts—Ceramics, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
• 2005, Bachelor of Fine Arts—Ceramics, Minor—American Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, NY

Bio

Mike Helke grew up in Minnesota's St. Croix Valley where he still resides with his wife and two sons in Stillwater, MN. Since receiving an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University-Alfred, NY in 2011 he has taught at various institutions including Carleton College-Northfield MN, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and the University of Wisconsin—River Falls, WI where he has been an Assistant Professor—Ceramics Program Director since 2018.  In addition to family and teaching, Helke maintains a full-time studio practice in his home studio. This practice/research has been exhibited, presented, and published all over the country at organizations including but not limited to Harvard University-Boston, MA, the Anderson Ranch Art Center-Snowmass Village, CO, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft—Houston, TX, the Museum of Contemporary Craft-Portland, OR, and The Weismen Art Museum-Minneapolis, MN. Helke is a two-time Carleton College Dayton Hudson Distinguished Teacher/Artist recipient and has received grant awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Jerome Foundation. In 2020 Helke was a United States Artist Fellowship nominee and he was the recipient of a McKnight Artist Fellowship Grant for Ceramic Arts.   

Professional Experience

• 2015–Present, Studio Potter, 605 4th St. N Pottery, Stillwater, MN
• 2024, Workshop and Lecture—Habersham Mills, Demorest, GA
• 2024, Juror, Anoka Ramsey Community College Student Juried Exhibition, Anoka, MN
• 2023, Workshop and Lecture—North Carolina Potters Conference, NC Pottery Center, Seagrove, NC                          
• 2021, Workshop and Lecture, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
• 2021, Workshop, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
• 2021, Workshop, North Carolina Potter’s Conference, NC Pottery Center, Seagrove, NC
• 2020, Workshop and Lecture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
• 2020, Juror, 8 Fluid Oz, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
• 2019, Juror, Juried National V, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
• 2019, Workshop and Lecture, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
• 2019, Curator, NCECA Minneapolis Claytopia Concurrent Exhibition, Abstracting, Gallery 101, University of Wisconsin River Falls, River Falls, WI
• 2018, Workshop and Lecture, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
• 2018, Lecture, Flower City Arts, Rochester, NY
• 2018, Demonstration, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
• 2018, Workshop: Abstracting the Archetype, Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass Village, CO
• 2018, Visiting Artist Demonstration and Lecture, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
• 2018, Visiting Artist Demonstration and Lecture, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
• 2018, Visiting Artist Demonstration and Lecture, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA  
• 2018, Florida Heat Surface Workshop, Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg, FL
• 2011–2015, Studio Potter, 315 N Pearl Pottery, River Falls, WI 

Courses Taught

ART 100 – Introduction to Visual Art
ART 121 – Design Foundations I
ART 131 – Drawing I
ART 292 – Introduction to Art Therapy
ART 499 – Independent Study

Education

• M.S. Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI (2011)
• B.S. University of Wisconsin, River Falls (2008)

Bio

Ann E. Lawton, MS, ATR-BC, is a mixed media artist, board certified art therapist, and art educator living and working in River Falls, Wisconsin. Since 2011, she has been an instructor in the art department at the University of Wisconsin—River Falls (UWRF) and facilitates art therapy to individuals and groups in the St. Croix Valley of Wisconsin. Lawton received her Bachelor of Science in Broad Area Art degree from UWRF in 2011 and her Master of Science in Art Therapy degree from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee in 2011. In relation to her teaching and university service, Lawton has been awarded the 2018 College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, the 2021 UWRF Chancellor’s Award, and the 2022 UW System Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award.

Courses Taught

• ART 224 – Digital Graphics

• ART 241 – Intro to Graphic Design

• ART 242 – Interactive Media

• ART 243 – Typography

• ART 341 – Publication Design Studio

• ART 342 – Design for User Experience

• ART 343 – Typographic Systems

• ART 346 – Branding and Package Design

• ART 379 – Art Internship 

• ART 486 – Senior Thesis

Specialties

• Design process
• Conceptualization
• Systems thinking
• Typography

Education

• 2009, Master of Fine Art in Design, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, Thesis: Warning signs: Avoiding Consumer Debt—Can a system of visual signs be developed to persuade consumers to become wary of their debt?

• 2001, Bachelor of Fine Art in Design (Graphic Design), Utah State University, Logan, UT, Minor: Korean Language

Bio

Dan Paulus is a graphic designer and educator based in Western Wisconsin. Finding solutions to design challenges brings him joy. He relishes conceptual puzzles and believes that every problem has a creative solution. Alongside his professional endeavors, he finds inspiration in the tactile and physical aspects of the natural world. Engaging in woodturning, beekeeping, and yard work offers him a distinct creative outlet that enriches his professional work. Dan continues to pursue professional graphic design practice and other creative experiences. 

Professional Activities

• Dan Paulus Design, client design work
• International Education partnerships/teaching, Germany, Norway & Scotland

Volunteer Work

• AIGA Minnesota, Treasurer

Courses Taught

• ART 131 – Drawing I

• ART 132 – Drawing II

• ART 236 – Intro to Printmaking

• ART 336 – Studio Printmaking 

Specialties

• Relief

• Drawing 

Education

• 1998, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Fine Arts

• 1995, Baylor University, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Professional Activities

• 2018, Estee Lauder, Napa Valley, CA, Illustrator for Barn Bash Project. Created imagery to be used for presentation, packaging, and promotion material for the Yearly meeting For Estee Lauder.

Recent Exhibitions

• 2023, 2023 Peggy Doole National Small Works Competition, Washington Printmakers Gallery. Washington DC

• 2023, Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition. Nelson Pointer Memorial Library. USF St. Petersburg Campus. Saint Petersburg, FL

• 2023, Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition. The University of Kentucky’s Margret I. King Library. Lexington, KY

• 2023, Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition. The Arts Center of St. Peter. St Peter, MN

• 2022, slumber! Wood Engravers’ Network Triennial ,  Stockton University Art Galleries. Galloway, NJ. Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition. Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. Two Rivers, WI 

• 2022, Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition. Elizabeth Holden Gallery, Warren Wilson College. Ashville, NC

• 2021, Wood Engraving Network Fourth Triennial Exhibition, University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA

• 2019, 32nd Women’s Works show, Old Court House Arts     Center, Crystal Lake, IL  

• 2019, Imagine 2019, East Central Regional Arts Council, Braham, MN

• 2019, Minnesota Masters Part Duex, MN State Fair in the Creative Activites Building. collaborative work with Rick Schneider.

• 2019, Under Pressure, Lanesboro Arts, Lanesboro MN

• 2018, Animalis, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati Ohio  

• 2018, Solo show, collaborative work with Rick Schneider,     West Virginia University, Morgantown WV

• 2018, Grantee Art Show!, East Central Regional Arts Council, Braham, MN

• 2018, Minnesota Masters Exhibition, FOCI Minnesota Center for Creative Glass, Curated by Chad Holliday, Minneapolis MN.

Collections

• Celestial Seasonings Corporate Headquarters, Boulder Co
• Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Student Union

Recent Awards/Grants

2017, East Central Regional Arts Council Artist Fellowship Grant