Laura Iris Blau

email@laurablau.com (914) 874-4127

EDUCATION:

PRATT INSTITUTE: (Sept 2006-Aug 2009) (DEAN’S LIST: 2008)

M.F.A. (Printmaking);

ART & DESIGN EDUCATION (NYS Certification K-12) May 2009

M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition: Proof(read)

(Dates of Exhibition: May 12-25, 2008)

CORNELL UNIVERSITY: (Sept 1998-May 2003) (DEAN’S LIST: 2001, 2003)

B.F.A. (Printmaking) May 2003;

B.S. Textiles & Apparel (Design) May 2002

B.F.A.Thesis Exhibition: Skinsideout

(Dates of Exhibition: Apr 27-May 2, 2003)

COMPUTER SKILLS:

PC/Mac adept; Adobe CS 5 (especially Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign),

MS Office/PowerPoint, TeacherEase, EChalk, Gradekeeper,

Smart Board Technology, AutoCAD, Lectra Gallery/GraphicSpec

CERTIFICATIONS:

NYS Teacher Certification: Art & Design Education (gr. K-12) (2009)

NYS Certification Exams: LAST, CST (Visual Art), ATS-W (Secondary) (2009)

NYC DOE Substitute Teacher Certificate (2009)

ART & DESIGN EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:

VISUAL ART TEACHER:

MILLENNIUM ART ACADEMY (NYC Public High School 312)

Bronx, NY (Sept 2009-present)

-Have taught Foundation Art (gr. 9), Mixed Grades Art Elective,

Mixed Media Art (gr. 9-12), Advanced Portfolio Preparation (gr. 11 -12)

and Self-Contained Special Ed. (gr. 9-10); focused on interdisciplinary

lessons incorporating history and mathematics into art & design

-Taught Art Appreciation (gr. 9-12) during Summer 2010, developing

hands-on projects investigating cross-historical art and artists

-Visual art instructor for weekly Saturday Academy program, exploring

multimedia techniques, and artists in popular culture (gr. 9-12)

-Taught afterschool clubs funded by a special campus-wide grant,

including Mural Painting, Anime, and Fiber Arts

-Mentored Education majors from Lehman College

*Helped students to exhibit award-winning works at the United Nations

and the U.S. Capitol building (Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011);

Students won multiple awards for Bronx district in the Congressional

Art Competition (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd: Spring 2011) (1^st and 2^nd: Spring 2010)

VISUAL ART INSTRUCTOR:

CAREER VISIONS INSTITUTE (part of Development Without Limits, Ltd.)

Bronx, NY (October 2010-present)

-Ran an afterschool program on the Adlai E. Stevenson High School campus

for 3 hrs/week, teaching all mediums of visual art, and exposing

students to careers in the arts

-Participated in an arts festival with multiple schools across the Bronx

TEACHING ASSISTANT:

SUMMER ARTS INSTITUTE, STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL

New York, NY (Jun-Aug 2009)

-Collaborated with instructor to plan and teach intensive

traditional darkroom & digital photography course (gr. 9-12)

-Interviewed and selected students from large applicant pool

-Helped students develop portfolios and online or gallery exhibitions

STUDENT TEACHER & TEACHING ASSISTANT:

STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TECHNOLOGY DEPT.

New York, NY (Sept 2008-Jun 2009)

-2 semesters as assistant/instructor for multiple sections of

traditional darkroom & digital photography courses (gr. 11-12)

-Developed original projects and lesson extensions for existing curriculum,

focusing on creative, technical and critical skills

-Planned multiple field trips with site-specific assignments

-Helped students to curate and design exhibitions of their work

-Communicated with students outside the classroom, using Echalk,

Gradekeeper, Flickr, and other online networking tools

STUDENT TEACHER & TEACHING ASSISTANT:

MONTAUK INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Brooklyn, NY (May-Jun 2008)

-Fieldwork observation for general art curriculum requirement (gr. 6-8)

-Coordinated and taught 2-week workshop on book arts in which students

designed and constructed tunnel books (gr. 6-8)

-Assisted 2 teachers install large art show for annual multicultural festival

-Organized classroom and supply inventory

OBSERVER & TEACHING ASSISTANT:

CLARA BARTON HIGH SCHOOL

Brooklyn, NY (May-Jun 2007)

-Conducted fieldwork observation of all classes held in art room,

working with 3 different teachers

-Assisted and observed ceramics instructor working on both curriculum

and after-school lessons and programs (gr. 9-12)

-Engaged one-on-one with a variety of students as research for a

written study about young women in urban high schools

INSTRUCTOR:

PRATT INSTITUTE, SATURDAY ART SCHOOL

Brooklyn, NY (Jan-May 2007)

-Designed and taught innovative lesson plan activities for an

extracurricular “Comics & Cartooning” (gr. 3-5)

-Incorporated book arts and paper construction into children’s projects

based on original character and storyline concepts

-Collaborated with another student-teacher to develop curriculum

-Attended seminars with other student-teachers

RESEARCHER & INSTRUCTOR:

CORNELL COOP. EXTENSION, TEXTILES/ APPAREL DEPT.

Ithaca, NY (Jun 2002-Jun 2003)

-Wrote/edited instructions w/ samples for original surface design projects

for children (gr. K-12), for publication

-Co-led two summer sessions of a 4-H high school enrichment workshop,

“The Fabric/Flight Connection” (gr. 9-12)

-Researched for departmental study of Protective Clothing regulations

for handling various pesticides

ARTS INSTRUCTOR:

CORNELL ADULT UNIVERSITY’S YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROG.

Ithaca, NY (Jun-Jul 2003)

-Taught original bookbinding and paper crafts projects/lessons (gr. Pre-K-8)

-Ran a special photography workshop which included local field trips (gr. 6-8)

VISUAL ARTS SPECIALIST:

EDGEMONT DAY CAMP

Scarsdale, NY (Jun-Aug 2000)

-Developed original projects and creative lessons (gr. K-6)

-Worked with music and dance specialists to plan camp-wide events

RELATED ART, DESIGN & MARKETING EXPERIENCE:

FREELANCE ARTIST & DESIGN/ PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:

DARYL K.

New York, NY (Sept-Dec 2005)

-Designed/produced limited edition of hand-made look books for Daryl K Fall ’06 collection

-Assisted with production of collection and Daryl K-189 (Barneys NY exclusive)

ASSISTANT TO V.P. OF DESIGN & MERCHANDISING:

SML SPORT, LTD.

New York, NY (Apr-Aug 2005)

-Directly assisted V.P. in line development for up-and-coming

“West Palm” (Missy) & “Belly Basics” (Maternity) better sportswear

-Designed/sourced/developed: original embroidery/beading/trim/prints

-Created sketches/specs for line & private label garments

-Extensive overseas follow up, first fit through production,

ensuring sales sample accuracy

-Frequently updated theme boards and line sheets for buyers, based on

record keeping at major account meetings

DESIGN ASSISTANT & TECHNICAL DESIGNER:

THE GOLDEN TOUCH GROUP

New York, NY (Apr 2004-Mar 2005)

-Developed “Derek Heart” line/private label, incl. sketch/ spec

cut & sew knit tops/bottoms (jr., missy, plus, maternity, kids)

-Designed original embellishments (i.e. beading, embroidery, screen print),

samples and CAD boards

-Organized trim library; Production packages

-Researched market for fabrics and trends; Ran fit sessions/comments

IN-HOUSE DESIGNER & MARKETER:

SHANGRI-LA PUBLICATIONS, INC.

Ithaca, NY (Jan 2004-Jun 2006)

-Designed exclusive patterns and styles for future accessory lines

-Sold my handmade giftware at Shangri-La Boutique in Ithaca, NY

-Assisted owners in marketing children’s book at the 2004 NY International Toy Fair

WINDOW DESIGNER & SALES ASSOCIATE:

ALPHABET SOUP, INC.

Ithaca, NY (Jul 2003-Mar 2004)

-Orchestrated seasonal windows/displays of high-end children’s toys and books

-Selected merchandise with head buyer

-Fast-paced cash/credit transactions; One-on-one customer relations

-Maintained/stocked inventory, tracked sales through POS system

GALLERY & OFFICE ASSISTANT:

THE INK SHOP PRINTMAKING CENTER & OLIVE BRANCH PRESS

Ithaca, NY, (May 2002-Aug 2003)

-Conceived original design work for hand-sewn graphic banners for storefront display

-Interned under instructors of bookbinding and screen printing workshops

-Responsible for wide array of duties involving office work, exhibition

Preparation and publication

-Helped board members with local community events, gallery openings,

art walks and presentations to large groups

FIELD SALES MANAGER:

VECTOR MARKETING CORPORATION.

NY Metropolitan Area (Jun 2001-Dec 2007)

-Extensive ongoing maintenance of clientele for direct, in-home sales of

high quality Cutco cutlery and kitchenware

-Elected to run booth with other top 10 Manhattan reps at 2004 Javits' Center Expo,

as top-level representative

-Selected by branch manager to train large groups of prospective or new employees

*References available upon request

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