EDUCATION:
MFA, Fibers
Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia
2011
BFA, Industrial Design
Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio
2005
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Savannah College of Art and Design, Summer Seminar Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2014
Prepared specialized syllabus for weeklong class of prospective college students, focusing on fiber related techniques.
“Fibers Exploration” introduced students of varying skill levels to the broad range of fibers related career directions.
Telfair Museums, Summer Community Outreach Program, Assistant Art Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2013-2014
In collaboration with Loop It Up Savannah, assisted in facilitating on-site art activities relating to current exhibitions at the Telfair Museums throughout City of Savannah Community Recreation Centers for youth ages 6-13.
Savannah Christian Prep School, Visiting Artist Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012-2014
ArtBlitz Program guest instructor; taught illustration and quilting techniques to middle school and high school students.
Scribble Arts Studio, Private Arts Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2011-2014
Youth fiber arts instructor; prepare specialized curriculums for individual learning models and 6-8 week group workshops focusing in tactile exploration, including fabric structures, design, storytelling through quilting, and fashion design.
Textile Society of America, Narrating the Lowcountry Study, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2013
The Beloved Community Project, discussed the present-day narrative nature of quilting and community in the Savannah Lowcountry.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Continuing Education Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2013
Prepared specialized curriculums for one-day class offerings, targeted for students of varying ages and skill levels.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Georgia: Frank Callen Unit, Art Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012-2013
Youth art instructor; prepared and facilitated arts and crafts projects for students of varying skill levels.
Loop It Up Savannah, Guest Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012
Guest instructor and artist for the Beloved Community Quilt Project. Assisted with the 10-week program while coordinating participants (children of the West Broad Street YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Empire and the seniors of the City of Savannah Hudson Hill Golden Age Center and international students from the Savannah College of Art and Design English as a Second Language Department) and preparing a collection of neighborhood story quilts.
Design Ethos Conference, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2012
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
Ryerson University, Fashion Illustration Dept. Guest Instructor
Toronto, Ontario 2012
Two week guest instructor; taught experimental tactile illustration techniques.
Joan Farley Academy, Lecture
Denver, Colorado 2011
Quilted Expressions; discussing the impact of quilting through communities.
PlatteForum, Creative Resident Artist
Denver, Colorado 2011
Seven week international juried creative residency involving teaching workshops, lectures, and a collaborative quilting project with nine youth participants from the I Have A Dream Foundation.
PlatteForum: ArtLab, Mentor
Denver, Colorado 2011
Worked directly with ArtLab (high-school youth) interns to foster a sense of social understanding through service learning projects.
Fibers Guild of the Savannahs, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2011
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
Always in Stitches ArtQuilt Guild, Lecture
Grove City, Ohio 2011
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
International Quilt Festival, Lecture
Cincinnati, Ohio 2011
Breaking the Pattern to Find Your Story; explored the process of creating narratives through quilts.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Foundations Dept. Teaching Assistant
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Assisted professor with instruction of 3D design issues, lead critiques, and prepared supplemental coursework for assignments.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Fibers Dept. Teaching Assistant
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Assisted professor with instruction of embroidery and embellished surfaces, demonstrated techniques, wrote project assignment, lead critiques, and prepared supplemental coursework for assignments.
Stand Out Youth, Quilt Program
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Eight week quilt program; introducing sewing skills and aspects of quilting arts as a means to strengthen a sense of community and provide an outlet for social change within a marginalized group of youth ages 14-24.
Fat Quarters Quilt Guild, Creative Processes
Grove City, Ohio 2009
Daylong workshop; focused on conceptual processes and technical construction for making quilted art.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus Westside Unit, Sew U!
Columbus, Ohio 2009
10 week summer program; weekly sewing classes introduced sewing methods and creative making applications for stitching, sewing, and quilting with youth ages 6-18.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Graphic Designer & Soft Goods Product Design
Sigma Graphics, Savannah, Georgia
2012-2014
Graphic designer and production engineer for textile processes, including screen printing, computer-aided embroidery design, laser cutting, and soft-goods design and construction.
Creative Consultant
Handmade Neighborhood LLC, Savannah, Georgia
2012-2014
Provided graphic design, marketing materials and production assistance with handmade products, supporting the ‘slow movement’ method of making in Savannah, Georgia.
Senior Graphic Designer
Narwhals Inc. Columbus, Ohio
2009-2011
Responsible for overseeing the completion of all design projects, creating positive work atmosphere, maintain brand identity of Narwhals Inc, and providing guidance to team members in the fields of product design, package design, graphic design, illustration and branding.
Graphic Designer
Color Design Innovations, Inc. Columbus, Ohio
2005 –2009
Worked directly with clients, providing creative direction in developing and creating visual marketing pieces, branding/identity, and supplemental printed products to suit their specific business and market trends.
Art Director & Youth Development Professional
Boys & Girls Clubs, Columbus, Ohio
2005 –2009
Responsible for building positive character, demonstrating a professional, energetic, and creative direction through art related programs to underprivileged youth ages 6-18. Such initiated activities included: fine arts, photography, stage production and performing arts, sewing club, cultural awareness and diversity education, and community art events.
Point-of-Purchase, Visual Marketing
Hollister Co., Columbus, Ohio
2003 – 2005
Worked with a team to prepare initial retail clothing test store for our in-house visual department, enabling observation of shopping and buying trends by preparing store displays while paying close attention to our brand identity.
Graphic Designer
The Works, Newark, Ohio
2004-2005
Worked with the Creative Director to design print marketing materials and facility signage for The Works Museum.
GRANTS:
Creative Resident Grant, PlatteForum, Denver, CO
Exhibition Travel Grant, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON
AWARDS/HONORS:
Official Finalist, Niche Awards 2012, Baltimore, Maryland 2012
Outstanding Student Award, Surface Design Association, 2011
Young Emerging Artist Award, Alegre Retreat, Gateway Canyons Resort, Gateway Colorado 2011
Outstanding Student Award, Surface Design Association 2011
Fibers Department Endowed Scholarship, Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia 2010
Tuition Scholarship, Quilt Surface Design Symposium, Columbus, Ohio 2010
Graduate Honors Scholarship, Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia 2009
Official Finalist, Blue Moon Art Project, Columbus, Ohio 2008
EXHIBITIONS: (* Indicates solo shows)
Art Moves! A Pop-Up Exhibition, Temple Arts Denver
Denver, Colorado
December 5, 2014
Woven & Quilted Intersections, Hospice Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
November 22, 2013-January 2, 2014
I Am The Beloved Community: Story Quilts of Our Savannah, Telfair Musuems
Savannah, Georgia
August 10-December 16, 2012
A Collection of Quilts , Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, Denver Center for Performing Arts Complex, Denver, Colorado
June 4 – December 7, 2012
From Ohio to Savannah*, Clyde Public Library, Clyde, Ohio
November, 2012
Art Quilt Elements, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pennsylvania
March 30 – May 13, 2012
Black Heritage Smorgasbord of Talent, Savannah Civic Center, Savannah, Georgia
February, 2012
Book Arts, Passages Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
February, 2012
(Im)Permanence*, Platte Forum, Denver, Colorado
December 15, 2011 – January 7, 2012
Interwoven Dialogues, Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, Georgia
November 14, 2012 – December 4, 2012
Quilt Block*, 900 block of E. 35th Street, Savannah, Georgia
May 28, 2011
THIS is a Quilt, SAQA Visioning Conference, Denver, Colorado
May 19-22, 2011
Fibers Open House, Pepe Hall, Savannah, Georgia
February 18, 2011
Volusia Wrapped in Fiber, Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBary, Florida
February 15 – April 27, 2011
If These Quilts Could Talk, Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, Atlanta, Georgia – Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 10, 2011 - November 12, 2011
A Spectacle in the Mundane, Park National Bank Art Gallery, Batavia, Ohio
December 6, 2010 - January 7, 2010
The Dream Rocket Project, Randolph School, Huntsville, Alabama
November 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Nostalgia, Desoto Row Gallery, Savannah, Georgia
October 15, 2010
The In-Between (collaborative work with artist Ju Yeon Kim), National Musuem of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.
June 25, 2010 - September 13, 2010
Attack of the Munny!, River Club, Savannah, Georgia
April 15, 2010
QuiltART*, Greenup-Pauff Art Gallery, Lima, Ohio
August 1 – December 4, 2009
STORYTIME*, Dinsmore & Shohl Corporate Lobby, Columbus, Ohio
April 13 – June 26, 2009
BUGS*, Hey Hey, Columbus, Ohio
February 15 – March 14, 2009
Rose Colored Glasses, Always in Stitches, Grove City, Ohio
February 9-28, 2009
Birthday, Always in Stitches, Grove City, Ohio
December 8, 2008 – January 3, 2009
Art for A.R.T.S. Sake, Barcelona, Columbus, Ohio
November 9, 2008
Grove City’s Arts in the Alley Quilt Show, Grove City, Ohio
September 18-20, 2008
Blue Moon Art Project, The Art Exchange, Columbus, Ohio
August 7, 2008
Quilt Surface Design Symposium, The University Inn, Columbus, Ohio
June 16-20, 2008
PUBLICATIONS:
Savannah Morning News, November 23, 2013 http://savannahnow.com/accent/2013-11-23/art-soul-exhibit-showcases-fabrics-fibers#.UpNZ7UEo7ow
I AM The Beloved Community, Exhibition Catalogue, 2012
Savannah Connect, September 18, 2012 http://www.connectsavannah.com/news/article/107221/
Savannah Morning News, September 13, 2012 http://savannahnow.com/accent/2012-09-14/looking-pearls-children-beloved-community#.URRnBGfonrQ
Quilting Arts Magazine, April/May 2012
SAQA Journal, Spring 2012
KGNU, December 16, 2011 http://www.kgnu.org/metroarts/12/16/2011
Denverarts.org, December 2011
http://www.denverarts.org/local_exhibits/platteforum_abigail_kokai_+_i_have_a_dream_foundation.html
Denver Post, November 4, 2011 http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_19259544
District Online, February 2011 http://www.scaddistrict.com/?p=14799
District Quarterly, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Fall 2010
JuYeon Kim: The In-Between, Exhibition Catalogue, 2010
The Alliance for American Quilts, Quilters S.O.S: Save Our Stories, 2009
CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIA:
Design Ethos Conference, Savannah, GA 2012, 2010
SAQA Visioning Conference, Denver, CO 2011
International Quilt Festival, Cincinnati, OH 2011
21st Century Learners: Strategies of Artful Engagement, Savannah, GA 2010
CODA Conference (Craft Organization Development Association), Savannah, GA 2010
Quilt Surface Design Symposium, Columbus, OH 2008
National Quilting Association, Columbus, OH 2008
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Baton Rouge Health Services, Lima, Ohio
Blue Moon Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado
MFA, Fibers
Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia
2011
BFA, Industrial Design
Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio
2005
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Savannah College of Art and Design, Summer Seminar Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2014
Prepared specialized syllabus for weeklong class of prospective college students, focusing on fiber related techniques.
“Fibers Exploration” introduced students of varying skill levels to the broad range of fibers related career directions.
Telfair Museums, Summer Community Outreach Program, Assistant Art Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2013-2014
In collaboration with Loop It Up Savannah, assisted in facilitating on-site art activities relating to current exhibitions at the Telfair Museums throughout City of Savannah Community Recreation Centers for youth ages 6-13.
Savannah Christian Prep School, Visiting Artist Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012-2014
ArtBlitz Program guest instructor; taught illustration and quilting techniques to middle school and high school students.
Scribble Arts Studio, Private Arts Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2011-2014
Youth fiber arts instructor; prepare specialized curriculums for individual learning models and 6-8 week group workshops focusing in tactile exploration, including fabric structures, design, storytelling through quilting, and fashion design.
Textile Society of America, Narrating the Lowcountry Study, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2013
The Beloved Community Project, discussed the present-day narrative nature of quilting and community in the Savannah Lowcountry.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Continuing Education Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2013
Prepared specialized curriculums for one-day class offerings, targeted for students of varying ages and skill levels.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Georgia: Frank Callen Unit, Art Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012-2013
Youth art instructor; prepared and facilitated arts and crafts projects for students of varying skill levels.
Loop It Up Savannah, Guest Instructor
Savannah, Georgia 2012
Guest instructor and artist for the Beloved Community Quilt Project. Assisted with the 10-week program while coordinating participants (children of the West Broad Street YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Empire and the seniors of the City of Savannah Hudson Hill Golden Age Center and international students from the Savannah College of Art and Design English as a Second Language Department) and preparing a collection of neighborhood story quilts.
Design Ethos Conference, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2012
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
Ryerson University, Fashion Illustration Dept. Guest Instructor
Toronto, Ontario 2012
Two week guest instructor; taught experimental tactile illustration techniques.
Joan Farley Academy, Lecture
Denver, Colorado 2011
Quilted Expressions; discussing the impact of quilting through communities.
PlatteForum, Creative Resident Artist
Denver, Colorado 2011
Seven week international juried creative residency involving teaching workshops, lectures, and a collaborative quilting project with nine youth participants from the I Have A Dream Foundation.
PlatteForum: ArtLab, Mentor
Denver, Colorado 2011
Worked directly with ArtLab (high-school youth) interns to foster a sense of social understanding through service learning projects.
Fibers Guild of the Savannahs, Lecture
Savannah, Georgia 2011
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
Always in Stitches ArtQuilt Guild, Lecture
Grove City, Ohio 2011
Quilting Identities; explored the process of documenting local communities through quilts.
International Quilt Festival, Lecture
Cincinnati, Ohio 2011
Breaking the Pattern to Find Your Story; explored the process of creating narratives through quilts.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Foundations Dept. Teaching Assistant
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Assisted professor with instruction of 3D design issues, lead critiques, and prepared supplemental coursework for assignments.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Fibers Dept. Teaching Assistant
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Assisted professor with instruction of embroidery and embellished surfaces, demonstrated techniques, wrote project assignment, lead critiques, and prepared supplemental coursework for assignments.
Stand Out Youth, Quilt Program
Savannah, Georgia 2010
Eight week quilt program; introducing sewing skills and aspects of quilting arts as a means to strengthen a sense of community and provide an outlet for social change within a marginalized group of youth ages 14-24.
Fat Quarters Quilt Guild, Creative Processes
Grove City, Ohio 2009
Daylong workshop; focused on conceptual processes and technical construction for making quilted art.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus Westside Unit, Sew U!
Columbus, Ohio 2009
10 week summer program; weekly sewing classes introduced sewing methods and creative making applications for stitching, sewing, and quilting with youth ages 6-18.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Graphic Designer & Soft Goods Product Design
Sigma Graphics, Savannah, Georgia
2012-2014
Graphic designer and production engineer for textile processes, including screen printing, computer-aided embroidery design, laser cutting, and soft-goods design and construction.
Creative Consultant
Handmade Neighborhood LLC, Savannah, Georgia
2012-2014
Provided graphic design, marketing materials and production assistance with handmade products, supporting the ‘slow movement’ method of making in Savannah, Georgia.
Senior Graphic Designer
Narwhals Inc. Columbus, Ohio
2009-2011
Responsible for overseeing the completion of all design projects, creating positive work atmosphere, maintain brand identity of Narwhals Inc, and providing guidance to team members in the fields of product design, package design, graphic design, illustration and branding.
Graphic Designer
Color Design Innovations, Inc. Columbus, Ohio
2005 –2009
Worked directly with clients, providing creative direction in developing and creating visual marketing pieces, branding/identity, and supplemental printed products to suit their specific business and market trends.
Art Director & Youth Development Professional
Boys & Girls Clubs, Columbus, Ohio
2005 –2009
Responsible for building positive character, demonstrating a professional, energetic, and creative direction through art related programs to underprivileged youth ages 6-18. Such initiated activities included: fine arts, photography, stage production and performing arts, sewing club, cultural awareness and diversity education, and community art events.
Point-of-Purchase, Visual Marketing
Hollister Co., Columbus, Ohio
2003 – 2005
Worked with a team to prepare initial retail clothing test store for our in-house visual department, enabling observation of shopping and buying trends by preparing store displays while paying close attention to our brand identity.
Graphic Designer
The Works, Newark, Ohio
2004-2005
Worked with the Creative Director to design print marketing materials and facility signage for The Works Museum.
GRANTS:
Creative Resident Grant, PlatteForum, Denver, CO
Exhibition Travel Grant, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON
AWARDS/HONORS:
Official Finalist, Niche Awards 2012, Baltimore, Maryland 2012
Outstanding Student Award, Surface Design Association, 2011
Young Emerging Artist Award, Alegre Retreat, Gateway Canyons Resort, Gateway Colorado 2011
Outstanding Student Award, Surface Design Association 2011
Fibers Department Endowed Scholarship, Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia 2010
Tuition Scholarship, Quilt Surface Design Symposium, Columbus, Ohio 2010
Graduate Honors Scholarship, Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia 2009
Official Finalist, Blue Moon Art Project, Columbus, Ohio 2008
EXHIBITIONS: (* Indicates solo shows)
Art Moves! A Pop-Up Exhibition, Temple Arts Denver
Denver, Colorado
December 5, 2014
Woven & Quilted Intersections, Hospice Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
November 22, 2013-January 2, 2014
I Am The Beloved Community: Story Quilts of Our Savannah, Telfair Musuems
Savannah, Georgia
August 10-December 16, 2012
A Collection of Quilts , Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, Denver Center for Performing Arts Complex, Denver, Colorado
June 4 – December 7, 2012
From Ohio to Savannah*, Clyde Public Library, Clyde, Ohio
November, 2012
Art Quilt Elements, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pennsylvania
March 30 – May 13, 2012
Black Heritage Smorgasbord of Talent, Savannah Civic Center, Savannah, Georgia
February, 2012
Book Arts, Passages Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
February, 2012
(Im)Permanence*, Platte Forum, Denver, Colorado
December 15, 2011 – January 7, 2012
Interwoven Dialogues, Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, Georgia
November 14, 2012 – December 4, 2012
Quilt Block*, 900 block of E. 35th Street, Savannah, Georgia
May 28, 2011
THIS is a Quilt, SAQA Visioning Conference, Denver, Colorado
May 19-22, 2011
Fibers Open House, Pepe Hall, Savannah, Georgia
February 18, 2011
Volusia Wrapped in Fiber, Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBary, Florida
February 15 – April 27, 2011
If These Quilts Could Talk, Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, Atlanta, Georgia – Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 10, 2011 - November 12, 2011
A Spectacle in the Mundane, Park National Bank Art Gallery, Batavia, Ohio
December 6, 2010 - January 7, 2010
The Dream Rocket Project, Randolph School, Huntsville, Alabama
November 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Nostalgia, Desoto Row Gallery, Savannah, Georgia
October 15, 2010
The In-Between (collaborative work with artist Ju Yeon Kim), National Musuem of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.
June 25, 2010 - September 13, 2010
Attack of the Munny!, River Club, Savannah, Georgia
April 15, 2010
QuiltART*, Greenup-Pauff Art Gallery, Lima, Ohio
August 1 – December 4, 2009
STORYTIME*, Dinsmore & Shohl Corporate Lobby, Columbus, Ohio
April 13 – June 26, 2009
BUGS*, Hey Hey, Columbus, Ohio
February 15 – March 14, 2009
Rose Colored Glasses, Always in Stitches, Grove City, Ohio
February 9-28, 2009
Birthday, Always in Stitches, Grove City, Ohio
December 8, 2008 – January 3, 2009
Art for A.R.T.S. Sake, Barcelona, Columbus, Ohio
November 9, 2008
Grove City’s Arts in the Alley Quilt Show, Grove City, Ohio
September 18-20, 2008
Blue Moon Art Project, The Art Exchange, Columbus, Ohio
August 7, 2008
Quilt Surface Design Symposium, The University Inn, Columbus, Ohio
June 16-20, 2008
PUBLICATIONS:
Savannah Morning News, November 23, 2013 http://savannahnow.com/accent/2013-11-23/art-soul-exhibit-showcases-fabrics-fibers#.UpNZ7UEo7ow
I AM The Beloved Community, Exhibition Catalogue, 2012
Savannah Connect, September 18, 2012 http://www.connectsavannah.com/news/article/107221/
Savannah Morning News, September 13, 2012 http://savannahnow.com/accent/2012-09-14/looking-pearls-children-beloved-community#.URRnBGfonrQ
Quilting Arts Magazine, April/May 2012
SAQA Journal, Spring 2012
KGNU, December 16, 2011 http://www.kgnu.org/metroarts/12/16/2011
Denverarts.org, December 2011
http://www.denverarts.org/local_exhibits/platteforum_abigail_kokai_+_i_have_a_dream_foundation.html
Denver Post, November 4, 2011 http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_19259544
District Online, February 2011 http://www.scaddistrict.com/?p=14799
District Quarterly, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Fall 2010
JuYeon Kim: The In-Between, Exhibition Catalogue, 2010
The Alliance for American Quilts, Quilters S.O.S: Save Our Stories, 2009
CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIA:
Design Ethos Conference, Savannah, GA 2012, 2010
SAQA Visioning Conference, Denver, CO 2011
International Quilt Festival, Cincinnati, OH 2011
21st Century Learners: Strategies of Artful Engagement, Savannah, GA 2010
CODA Conference (Craft Organization Development Association), Savannah, GA 2010
Quilt Surface Design Symposium, Columbus, OH 2008
National Quilting Association, Columbus, OH 2008
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Baton Rouge Health Services, Lima, Ohio
Blue Moon Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado
