Creative Individuals

Joel Eisinger: Eisinger has a PhD in art history. He taught modern art and the history of photography for 26 years at the University of Minnesota Morris. During that time, he also participated in sophomore and senior year critiques of students working in all areas of studio art. He has published a book, Trace and Transformation, American Criticism of Photography in the Modernist Period, available in more than 1,200 libraries worldwide. Eisinger also has a MFA in photography and has been practicing photography seriously as an art form for the past thirteen years.; Bernice Ficek-Swenson: Ficek-Swenson is internationally known for her work in copperplate photogravures, a 19th century process involving photography and fine art etching. She received the 2012 College of Arts and Science Excellence in Creative Activities award at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), where she was a professor of art. She has recently retired after teaching at UWRF for 25 years. Previously, she was codirector of Land Mark Editions, a fine art printmaking atelier from 1980 to 1990, collaborating with artists of all disciplines. She received a MFA from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) and a MA from the State University of New York (Oswego, NY).; Sergio Quiroz-Ligeralde: Ligeralde is an experienced professional who works as a resident artist and drum instructor for the Twin Cities Mexica danza community. His background is diverse, with roles including coordinator for the University Activities Board and admissions assistant at Saint Paul College. He has created documentaries through the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network Doc U program. Ligeralde has a degree in business administration from Metropolitan University and an associated degree from Saint Paul College. ; Serenity Schoonover: Lamott is a working clay artist in Duluth. A recipient of a McKnight Foundation/Arrowhead Regional Arts Council fellowship and multiple Minnesota State Arts Board grant awards, they exhibit their clay sculptures throughout Minnesota and in regional shows. Lamott has worked as a program officer and writes art grant proposals for nonprofits in and around Duluth. Their current social practice is running art therapy groups with community arts organizations.; Dana Sikkila: Sikkila is an interdisciplinary maker and creator known for her social practice and activism programs, creative consulting, public speaking, and her theory development within a creative curriculum. Sikkila's practices span from working in communities from rural to the Twin Cities. Her self-defining administration style has bridged the gap between art creation and administration.