Monica J. Beasley Art
About Monica
Monica earned her M.F.A. from Northwestern University 2002. Since the 2000's she has explored themes of femininity and daintiness through a diverse range of works that reflect her Southern roots and the collected memories of her past. Currently, Monica is focused on a series of floral collages, where studies and playful experiments blossomed into captivating pieces. Her art is characterized by, delicacy playfulness, and a color palette, embodying preciousness of life.
Education
Professional Experience
MASTER OF FINE ARTS Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois May 2002 POSTBACCALAURATE The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois 1995 MASTER OF ART IN TEACHING Spring Hill College
Mobile, Alabama December 1994 BACHELOR OF ARTS Barat College
Lake Forest, Illinois May 1992
Museum Art Education Experience
OLD SHELL ROAD SCHOOL OF
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS August 2002-June 2024 Mobile, Alabama
Designed, implemented and assessed weekly instruction for art classes, and elementary education, directed Wake Up Star-News You Tube Channel and co-director of All-Star after school program 2021-2024
BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE August 2005-2019 Mobile, Alabama Taught art history and visual art classes. Visited the Mobile Museum of Art with classes, led tours and discussions in the museum galleries
ALABAMA CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER
2024 taught a week of summer art classes: mixed media lessons
MOBILE ARTS COUNCIL Mobile, Alabama
2020-2022 Taught virtual art classes for Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama October 2020 Guest Artist Art Throwdown Competition- an annual fund raiser January 2019
Conducted an art workshop for art educators and led a tour of the exhibition for Monica J. Beasley: Feminism and Magical Thinking MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART
2017-2018, 2023 Mobile, Alabama
Art Blast artist-taught summer art classes for the Museum School.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
2002 Chicago, Illinois
Artist in residence for the H.C. Westerman Exhibition
Roundtable for Teaching Artists: Visiting Artist Gary Simmons NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY 2000-2002 Evanston, Illinois
Teaching assistant to Judy Ledgerwood and Michael Stone-Richards
Teaching assistant to Bill Cass, assisted in teaching intaglio etching
Assistant curator for Northwestern University Art History slide library 2002-Gallery assistant for G.R. N'namdi at the Tom Blackman and Associates 2000-Art assistant, Northeastern Illinois University, assisted two lead artists on a mural project, Parental Guidance Suggested: managed 17 high school students on a mural project.
Professional Affiliations
Founder of M.J.Beasley Jr. Art Society
Member of Mobile Museum of Art ,Mobile Arts Council and
Alabama Contemporary Art Center,
National Art Education Association,
Board Member EDI -Alabama Art Education Association
Vice-Chair for Black Life Arts and Culture Coalition:
Alabama Contemporary Art Center
Society of Clotilda- Giving Circle
Sirens- Social Club
Awards
AAEA Alabama Elementary Art Educator of Year (2023)
Focus 40 over 40 leader award(2022)
Teacher of the Year, voted by the faculty members of Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts (2020)
STAR Travel Scholarship -University of Alabama Huntsville (2018) SUPER Scholar-Alabama Humanities Montgomery, Alabama (2005) Alabama Bicentennial winner ( 2019)
Award of Merit Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Illinois (2002)
Visual Art Scholarship/ Union League Civic and Arts Chicago Illinois (2001)
Fellowship, Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois (1999-2002) Bryon Smith Scholarship/ School of the Art lnstitute of Chicago (1992)