Laura Iris Blau
email@laurablau.com (914) 874-4127
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition: Proof(read)
(Dates of
Exhibition: May 12-25, 2008)
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
Creative
MS Office/PowerPoint, EChalk, Gradekeeper, Smart Board Technology,
AutoCAD,
Lectra Gallery/GraphicSpec, POS/Inventory Manager
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)
TEACHING
ASSISTANT:
SUMMER
ARTS INSTITUTE,
-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:
-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:
-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:
-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,
-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.
-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:
-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
-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:
-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.
-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
-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.
-Designed
exclusive patterns and styles for future accessory lines
-Sold my
handmade giftware at Shangri-La Boutique in
-Assisted owners in
marketing children’s book at the 2004 NY International Toy Fair
WINDOW DESIGNER & SALES ASSOCIATE:
ALPHABET
SOUP, INC.
-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
-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
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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