Andrea Schindlbeck

 

When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be an artist. But people said "no...what do you want to be when you grow up...you know...for a job?" So I said I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people. Now I get to do both. I get to be an artist and I get to help people. I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA degree in Design. Within a month of graduating I got my dream job. I was a designer for Schafer Associates Inc, which specialized in environmental design. This meant that we designed retail and urban spaces. So I was able to work with architects, interior designers, and draftsmen creating everything from posters and packaging to cash wraps and lighting. I was out there making art and I loved it. But after a few years, I wanted something more so I pursued a career in Art Education.

 

I earned a Teaching Certificate from Elmhurst College and my MA degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Aurora University. Through my MA program I worked on developing conceptual art lessons that encourage students to add layers of meaning to their work. I want my students to create pieces that are personal to them; pieces that are authentic artworks and not just school projects. When students are given the opportunity to show us how they see the world, they not only learn how to create meaning, they learn how to find meaning and to make connections. The arts have the potential to uplift and push people and culture forward in a positive direction. They allow us to problem solve and to invent... to create what we want the world to be.

I love being in the classroom. We share ideas, struggle together and laugh a lot. I continue to do freelance design and photography work, have participated in gallery shows in the area and am active in the Batavia Art Community by organizing various art shows for students and professionals such as I Heart Art, Relic and the BHS Fine Arts Festival.

       

Class website

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Professional work

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andrea.schindlbeck@bps101.net

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Professional Contributions

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• Professional Design and Photography work

  • www.gallery1126.com

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• Curator for Batavia Fine Arts Centre - professional invitationals, featured artists, and thematic shows

  • Common

  • Create Something

  • Green

  • Little Pieces

  • Relic

  • Say What???

  • Transition

  • Windows & Windmills

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• Exhibitions

  • 18 North Featured Artist

  • Art in Your Eye - City Hall Show

  • Batavia Fine Arts Centre - Little Pieces Show

  • Batavia Fine Arts Centre - Home show

  • Batavia Mothers’ Club Craft Fair

  • Imagine on Main- solo show

  • Naperville Art League - Close-up Show

  • Norris Cultural Center - Vicinity Show

  • Staff and Student Show at the Peg Bond Center

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• Presenter 

  • 2009 Kane County Institute Day - Photoshop

  • 2010 Kane County Institute Day - Photoshop

  • 2013 IAEA Conference - Transforming Curriculum through Concept

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• I Heart Art High School Invitational Sponsor

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