curriculum vitae
Barbara Fontana Yontz
assistant professor fine art
St. Thomas Aquinas College
125 Route 340, Sparkill, New York 10976
Studio: 911 Hawkins St.
Nashville, TN 37203
byontz@stac.edu
b.yontz@mindspring.com
web site: www.barbarayontz.com
www.southernartistry.org
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
St. Thomas Aquinas College 1/2006 to Present
Assistant Professor Fine Art Sparkill, NY
Watkins College of Art & Design 8/2001 to 12/2005
Associate Professor Fine Art Nashville, TN
Watkins College of Art & Design 7/1997 to 8/2001
Instructor Nashville, TN
In-Review 4/00 to 12/00
Arts writer for weekly paper Nashville, TN
Wrote over 25 articles on art on various topics and artists including Sally Mann,
Art of the American Depression, and Contemporary Video of Bill Viola,
Zhang Huan, and Berry Flannigan, among others.
O'More College of Art 8/1994 to 12/1999
Instructor Franklin, TN
MarketReach Systems 8/1987 to 9/1997
Owner/Creative Director Nashville, TN
Advertising, Design and Marketing Co.
Volunteer State Community College 8/1995 to 12/1997
Instructor Gallatin, TN
Austin Peay State University 1/1995 to 5/1995
Instructor Clarksville, TN
Nashville State Technical Institute 10/1984 to 6/1986
Associate Professor; Full-time tenure track Nashville, TN
EDUCATION
Vermont College, MFA in Visual Arts, 2002-2004, Montpelier, Vermont
Worked directly with artists Lynda Benglis, Mel Chin, Laurie Palmer, Faith Wielding and arts writer Miwon Kwon.
Vanderbilt University, MA in Art History, 1991, thesis in 1999, Nashville, TN
Full-tuition scholarship and stipend awarded
University of South Florida, MA in Art Education, 1978 to 1980, Tampa, Florida
Graduate teaching assistantship awarded.
University of South Florida, BA in Painting, 1972 to 1976, Tampa Florida
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS, INSTALLATIONS AND PERFORMANCES
2009 New York, NY, Fluidity and Fragments, Phoenix Gallery, three person show.
2008 Chicago, IL, Objects of Desire, Women Made Gallery, juried Claire Wolf Krantz,
art critic Art in America, Sculpture Magazine and others.
Hanover, ID, converging conversations, 3-person show juried, Hanover College Gallery
Nashville, TN, Dress Code, Gallery F, Scarrit Bennett College, invitational
Albuquerque, NM, The Cradle Project, Curated by Naomi Natali
New York, NY, 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Phoenix Gallery
2007 New York, NY, New Members Show, Phoenix Gallery
New York, NY, modernature, Lotus Space, curated by JerryDale McFadden
Hamden, CT, Images of Peace, The Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University, Juried
Miami, FL, Deviant Behavior, Artforms Gallery, Juried
Striking Mechanism, 3 second sound and video, Juried DVD
Toronto, Canada, Spring Salon, Lenox Contemporary Gallery
Toronto, Canada, 2-3-d-5, Energy Gallery
2006 New York, Project30, on-line juried exhibition
Garnerville, NY, Beauty Mystery Magic, Garnerville Arts Project Gallery, juror,
Tjok Gde Arsa Arths, October , performance
New York, NY, Small Works, Organization of Independent Artists, September
Nashville, TN, Ruby Green Foundation, Box Project, invitational, September
Nashville, TN, 310 Chestnut, The Horse You Came in On, May
2005 Nashville, TN, Ruby Green Foundation, You Are Here, curators, Julie Roberts, Armon Means
and Anderson Williams, October
Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University, Faculty and Alumni exhibition, invitational, October
Huntsville, AL, Huntsville Museum of Art Triennial, Red Clay Survey, Juried, Elaine Spatz-
Rabinowitz, June, catalogue
Nashville, TN, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Fragile Species, curator, Mark Scala, June,
catalogue. Signature work for the show.
Nashville, TN, Chestnut Square, Secret Show Series, curators, Amanda Dillingham and
Jason Driscoll, February
2004 Nashville, TN, Ruby Green Foundation Gallery, Dress Up, Dress Down, invitational, Dec.
Nashville, TN, Tennessee Art Commission Gallery, Beyond Boundaries, juried two-person
exhibition, November
Louisville, KY, Louisville Museum of Art, Water Tower Annual, Juried by Matt Distel,
Curator for the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, October
Nashville, TN, installation and performance, Watkins College of Art, faculty exhibition,
September
Montpelier, VT, "fluidity, fragments and folds" an installation with skin and sounds, Wood
Gallery, MFA Graduate Exhibition, August
Nashville, TN, The Mad Platter, fundraiser for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, donation
Long Beach Island, NJ, "Toxic Landscapes", Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and
Sciences, part invitational, part juried, July
Nashville, TN, Watkins College of Art faculty exhibition, February
2003 Montpelier, VT, "Contemporary Drawing 2003", Wood Gallery, juried exhibition,
catalogue
Dickson, TN, "5th Annual Regional Art Exhibit", The Renaissance Center, juried exhibition,
Juror, Terry Thacker
New York, NY, "Small Works 2003", Limner Gallery, juried exhibition
Nashville, TN, ÒArtrageousÓ Event for Nashville Cares Aids Center, donation
Nashville, TN, The Mad Platter, fundraiser for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, donation
Nashville, TN, Family Peace Gallery, Nashville Police Department Domestic Violence Center,
Ongoing exhibition, invitational
2002 Brunswick, Maine, "Cuba Revisited", Bowdin College, three-person exhibition
New York, NY, "Summer Small Works", Limner Gallery, juried exhibition
Nashville, TN, Totally Artcentric, benefit for Bethlehem Center, donation
Havana, Cuba, Biblioteca Nacional Jose Marti, "Toxic Landscapes", juror, Tim Blunk, Puffin
Foundation (This was the first ÔofficialÕ exhibition of American artists in Cuba since
the revolution), catalogue
Nashville, TN, Visual Artist Association of Nashville Artists' Studio Tour
Albuquerque, NM, Hunger Artist Gallery, juried exhibition
Teaneck, N J, Puffin Foundation Cultural Forum, juried exhibition
2001 Pittsburgh, PA, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Gallery, "Toxic Landscapes", juried exhibit
Suwannee, TN, Saint Andrews School, "Long Overdue" Library Exhibition, invitational
Boston, MS, School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, "Recuerdos de Cuba", invitational
Nashville, TN, Belmont University, Leu Art Gallery, 36th Central South Art Exhibition: juried
Nashville, TN, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Reproduction of Breugel painting, "The Peasant
Wedding" 8'x10' as part of a performance installation.
Ojai, California, Thacher School, solo exhibition and visiting artist workshop in encaustic
2000 Nashville, TN, Installation/Set design for Vampire Monologues (original play), Actors Bridge
Theater Company
Nashville, TN, Visual Artists Alliance, Art Synergy Gallery, group exhibition
Nashville, TN, Watkins College of Art Faculty Show
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, CABA Gallery, solo exhibition
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Casa Carolina Gallery, solo exhibition
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, Centro Ajijic Bellas Artes, "Passing Through", 2 person invitational
1999 Nashville, TN, Totally Artcentric, group benefit show for Community Center
Nashville, TN, Watkins College of Art Faculty Show
Nashville, TN, Actors Bridge Theater Company, set design, Tartuff
1997 Gallatin, TN, Volunteer State University Gallery, group faculty exhibition
Tampa, FL, Florida Center for Contemporary Art Gallery, member's exhibition
BIBLIOGRAPHY
De Jesus, Carlos Suarez, ÒMiami New TimesÓ, Alternate Reality, Artforms Caters to Commerce and
Creativity, with mixed Results, May 24, 2007
Maddox, Dave, ÒNashville SceneÓ, In Search of a Sense of Place: Artists try to find themselves in a diffuse
modern world, November 17, 2005
Hesse, Jean, ÒArt PapersÓ, The Fragile Species: New Art Nashville, Nov/Dec, 2005
David Hall, ÒNumber: An Independent Journal of the ArtsÓ, The Fragile Species, Number: 54, Fall 2005
Bostick, Alan, ÒNashville TennesseanÓ, Those who teach, can, Sunday, September 4, 2005
Maddox, Dave, ÒNashville SceneÓ, Local Species, July 2, 2005
Bostick, Alan, ÒNashville TennesseanÓ, Not the Usual Suspects: Frist exhibit digs deep for taste of local
arts scene, Saturday, June 19, 2005
Maddox, Dave, ÒNashville SceneÓ, How to Do Things With Hog Gut, Tennessee Art Commission Gallery,
December 23, 2004
Maddox, Dave, "Nashville Scene", Watkins Faculty Show, Nashville, TN, work highlighted, March 18, 2004
"La Gamma", Toxic Landscapes, Havana, Cuba, June 10, 2002
Outlaw, Adrian, "Nashville Public Radio Show ", Radio Interview Watkins Faculty Exhibit, Nashville, TN,
March 12, 2001
"City Paper", Review of Faculty Show at Watkins, Nashville, TN, March, 2000
Bostick, Alan, "Nashville Tennessean", Faculty Show at Watkins, Nashville, TN, March 2000
Bostick, Alan, "Nashville Tennessean", Solo show, Nashville, TN, March, 1999
McClean, Paul, "In Review", Strong Showing of WomenÕs Art, Paul McLean, Nashville, TN, March 1999
Bostick, Alan, "Nashville TennesseanÓ, Women Artists Co-Op to Promote Diversity in Nashville Arts,
Nashville, TN, October 1994
PUBLICATIONS
ÒArt Outside the Box: Life, Death and MortalityÓ, interview with Michael Aurbach, Chicago Art Journal,
Spring, 2000
ÔFrom Demons to Desire: David S. Holland, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 41, 2000, 20.
ÔHeaven and Earth: The Figure in Religious and Secular ArtÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 42, 2000, 20.
ÔAlexander Calder Goes MobileÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 44, 2000, 20.
ÔFaux Furs and MamaÕs BoysÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 45, 2000, 20.
ÔA Good Time to Go Downtown for ArtÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 47, 2000, 20.
ÔAll In Due TimeÑRecent works by Brian BishopÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 46, 2000, 20.
ÔThe Pendulum Keeps Swinging: Charlotte Avant, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 48, 2000, 20.
ÔWatching Videos: Six SignalsÕ, Cheekwood Video Installations, Part I, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 50, 2000, 20.
ÔWatching Videos: Six SignalsÕ, Cheekwood Video Installations, Part II, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 51, 2000, 20.
ÔScenes of American Life: Social Realism and Regionalism at Tennessee State MuseumÕ, InReview, Vol. 5,
no. 52, 2000, 20.
Ôtell/telling/told: Annie Freeman Tells Her StoryÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 54, 2000, 20.
ÔA Few Ideas for Viewing Art in July: Winslow HomerÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 55, 2000, 20.
ÔSouthern Landscapes and Mores, Victorian Style: Sally Mann and Victorian Narratives, InReview,
Vol. 5, no. 56, 2000, 20.
ÔFrancis of Gurenica: Face-to-Face with the Sacred and the ProfaneÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 57, 2000, 20.
ÔSwitchyard: 22 Nashville Artists, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 58, 2000, 20.
ÔInside/Outside and Crossing the LinesÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 61, 2000, 20.
ÔPutting in the Time: Artist Fellowship WinnersÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 63, 2000, 20.
ÔOkno: Jim Hayes at the FugitiveÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 64, 2000, 20.
ÔInstallations and More: It Takes More Than a Bunch of Stuff to Make an InstallationÕ, InReview,
Vol. 5, no. 65, 2000, 20.
ÔElements of Desire and WitÉmore or lessÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 66, 2000, 20.
ÔArt--Education and Experience: Black and RedÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 67, 2000, 20.
ÔPermanence and PerformanceÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 68, 2000, 20.
ÔShort TakesÉRobin Bernat at the Temporary Contemporary GalleryÕ, InReview, Vol. 5, no. 54, 2000, 20.
Article on the Rembrandt Research Project, Florida Center for Contemporary Art, Fall,1993
Review of an installation in an abandoned storefront in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, Art Papers,
September/October, 1992
ÒThey Landed in Lawrence", Art Papers, January/February, 1991
VISITING ARTIST LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS and WORKSHOPS
2008 Southeastern College Art Association Conference, New Orleans, session on Sharing Experience: the Role of Memory in Art, paper entitled, ÒIÕve got you under my skin: Experience, Embodiment, EmpathyÓ. September.
Hanover College, Hanover ID, lecture to accompany exhibition Ôconverging conversationsÕ. Lecture focused on the meaning and use of ÔbodiesÕ in art and theory as well as the concept of the death of the author as discussed by Michael Foucault and Roland Barthes. September
2007 Maryland Institute College or Art, invited to give an artist talk. Discussed my work, showed images
and video. March.
College Art Association Conference, New York, session: Double Headed Creatures, paper entitled,
Softening Boundaries Between Studio, History and Theory: A Fluid Approach, February
Tappan Library lecture series, Resisting Commodity: Art outside the gallery and museum, May
2006 Tappan Library lecture, Art of Resistance: the 1960s and Beyond, November
Southeastern College Art Association, Juror for Foundation Award, Nashville Conference, October
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, Two day jury process for Margaret Hamblin Award, $35,000
award for two students in art. Artist lecture.
2005 Belmont College, Nashville, TN, studio project with Sculpture class conceptualizing ÒThe GiftÓ.
Lecture, presentation of project and critique. October
Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Artists Lecture, July 28, Nashville, TN
Studio Visitation in conjunction with ÔFragile SpeciesÕ, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, July 23,
Nashville, TN
The Parthenon, lecture entitled, Between Personality and Politics: Women and the New York School,
April 5, Nashville, TN
Artist lecture, Belmont College, Nashville, TN
2002 Artist lecture, Bowdin College, Brunswick, Maine.
2001 Artist lecture and workshop, Thacher Preparatory School, Ojai, CA
2000 CABA Gallery, Artist lecture and site-specific installation. Ajijaic, Mexico.
Artist lecture, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
1996 Nashville Psychological Association, presentation and lecture on ÒWomen Surrealists and Jungian
Psychology.Ó Nashville, TN
CONFERENCE PAPERS PRESENTED
2008 Southeastern College Art Association Conference, New Orleans, session on Sharing Experience: the Role of Memory in Art, paper entitled, ÒIÕve got you under my skin: Experience, Embodiment, EmpathyÓ. September.
2007 College Art Association, session ÒDouble Headed CreaturesÓ, My paper is entitled Softening
Boundaries Between Art Studios, History and Theory: A Fluid Approach, New York,
2004 Southeast College Art Association, session on Public Art, "Artists and Action in the
Community: A Collaboration Between Watkins College of Art and The Red Cross,"
Jacksonville, Fl.
2003 Popular Culture Conference, session on Unorthodox Teaching Methods in the Arts. Paper
entitled, "Art Practice, It's a Hell-Of-A-Lot-More Than Making Something." Pedagogy for Fine Arts education, an integrative approach...history, theory and practice. New
Orleans, LA
1996 Nashville Psychological Association, presentation and lecture on ÒWomen Surrealists and
Jungian Psychology.Ó Nashville, TN
PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL
I spent two weeks in Israel December, January 2004-5. I met with artists and students to discuss art and issues surrounding politics and personal ideas.
I led groups of students to New York City when in Nashville from 2001-4. I develop an itinerary based on
exhibitions showing at the time.
Guided a group of students to New York for the Whitney Biennial, Spring, 2004.
Traveled to Cuba with the School of the Boston Museum as a member of an artist cultural exchange, January 2001.
Traveled to Mexico in 2000 for an exhibition in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, at the Centro Ajijic Bellas Artes. Gave a lecture and as a result of this exhibition, had two more shows in Mexico.
Traveled to Ecuador as a translator for doctors who were setting up a clinic in Guayaquil, August 1999 and 2000. (In order to avoid confusion, I am not fluent in Spanish but rather can speak conversationally.)
Enrolled in a Spanish language immersion course in San Miguel de Alliande for three weeks. Lived with a professor from the Institute de Alliande Art College.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
ESL volunteer in One to One program in New York. I have been working with the reading and writing group and will soon develop a pre-GED class. September 2008-
I support women in the Woman for Woman International program that links women in western countries with those in countries damaged by war. I have had sisters in Bosnia, Iraq and two in Rwanda so far. 2007-
Hospital Accompaniment volunteer with the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Nashville, TN. 2002-2006.
Part of the committee to develop art classes at the Campus For Human Development, a day program for
homeless adults in Nashville. I taught classes from 1999-2001.
Mentored women in "Magdalene Project", non-profit halfway program to help women prostitutes get off the
street. 1998-2001. I was very involved with this project. I mentored two women in their programs as well as helped with anything from fundraising to house repairs.
For two years in 1997 and 98 I worked on a series of houses in Nashville for Habitat for Humanity. My specialty came to be roofing. I expect my previous climbing experience prepared me for the heights and though not that strong, I became a regular at laying tar-paper and shingles.
Founded and directed Women's Art Gallery and Co-op at Cummins Station in Nashville. June-Dec. 1994. Our mission was to develop multi-cultural seminars and art exhibits.
Wrote lesson plans and edited education packet to accompany the 'Mountains to the Mississippi 'art Exhibit for Tennessee high schools. 'The Mountains to the Mississippi' exhibit was sponsored By the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. and by local donations to elevate the awareness of
contemporary women artists currently working in Tennessee. The packet was used as a teaching tool. 1994
Developed curriculum for the Boys and Girls club after school art program, Joe Johnson inner-city projects. 1995
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Developed Syllabus for Digital Media Art
Served on the General Assessment Committee at St. Thomas Aquinas College 2007-2008.
Served on the Gallery Committee at St. Thomas Aquinas College 2006-8.
Developed Syllabus for New Media and Time Based Art
Served on the First Year Committee at St. Thomas Aquinas College 2006-7.
Served on the Internationalization Committee at Watkins College from Spring 2005.
Served on the Curriculum Committee from Spring 2003-Spring 2005.
Develop Curriculum forÑBody Politic in Art-With an understanding of the importance of the human
body both in actuality and in representation throughout history, in this class we explored this diverse,
rich and culturally constructed subject. Beginning with funerary rituals and punctuating Western and
non-western considerations of the body in art, we create a foundation for understanding diverse ideas and
uses of the body in contemporary art.
Develop Curriculum for--Artists and Action in the Community-A class in which students focused on
collaborative public arts projects, particularly to develop an unorthodox public art concept for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. 2004 This project, which resulted in an actual project to be used by
the Red Cross was made up of students from each discipline within the college.
Develop Curriculum for--The Other in Art and Visual Culture--a class designed to expose ways difference
has been represented in art and in visual culture both in history and now. Culture, Gender, Race and
Sexual Orientation is explored. 2004
Develop Curriculum forÑContemporary Art and Theory-through an integration of original sources readings, and
student artistsÕ presentations, a final research paper and art project solidify the relationships between
theory and practice.
Developed art program and taught classes for homeless adults, Campus for Human Development, Nashville,
TN, 5/00 to 8/01
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
College Art Association, have attended CAA for the past six years; Southeastern College Art Association; Popular Culture Association; Experimental Sound Studio; Associate Member, Acoustical Society of America; American Institute of Physics; Leonardo/ISAS, Harvestworks
REFERENCES
Terry Thacker, Department Chair, Fine Art, Watkins College of Art and Design
tthacker@watkins.edu
615-383-4848
Richard Loveless, former director of the Institute for Studies in the Arts, Arizona State University
rloveless2@cox.net
480-456-9224
Michael Aurbach, Professor, Vanderbilt University
615-322-2831
Michael Minelli, Artist and Director, Vermont College