sheila talbitzer: fine art photography

artist statement portfolios curriculum vitae contact
education professional experience exhibitions fellowships, honors, awards bibliography professional affiliations art-related experience other related experience

Sheila Renee Talbitzer: Curriculum Vitae

Education

MFA 2006, Photography, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

BA 1997, Fine Art (major) English (minor), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Area(s) of specialization: Analogue and Digital photography and printmaking

Professional Experience

2006-Present
Digital Archivist/Imaging Specialist Snite Museum of Art University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

My position at the Snite Museum of Art is to create and implement a digital visual archive of the Museum’s collection. I am responsible for digitally photographing, processing, and cataloging all objects in the museum’s possession and making those images readily available to the staff, those engaged in scholarly research, and the University faculty. I am also responsible for handling all outside photographic requests and for documenting museum events, educational and public programs, and exhibitions. This position not only requires in-depth knowledge of photographic practices and understanding of how to handle fragile and historically and culturally significant objects, but it also requires well developed interpersonal skills necessary for working with the director, curators, staff, university faculty, graphic designers, students, and all else interested in viewing or using examples from the collections.

2007-Present
Adjunct Instructor Digital Color Photography University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Digital color photography at the University of Notre Dame is the newly redesigned advanced photography course that concentrates on the use of color in fine art photography. Previously taught as a wet lab course this is the first semester it will be taught using purely digital processes. The course’s intent to focus on the use of color remains unchanged, but the technical emphasis has shifted to digital input (both digital capture by scanner and camera), digital processing, and digital output. Along with the acquisition and refinement of new and previous technical skills, this course concentrates on conceptual, theoretical, and aesthetic concerns.

2006-2007
Adjunct Instructor Visual Literacy Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, IN

Visual Literacy at the University of Indiana at South Bend is a lecture course designed to introduce students to practice of understanding visual art. My role as instructor is to familiarize students with fundamental elements of art, the materials and methods associated with art making, and the contemporary and theoretical concerns critical to developing a wide and deep understanding of art in modern times.

2004-2006
Instructor of record/Graduate Teaching Assistant Photography 1 University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Photography 1 at the University of Notre Dame is an introductory course that covers traditional black and white photography and digital technology as well as an introduction to photographic history and contemporary photographic practices. Fundamental craft skills are balanced equally with artistic exploration. My role as instructor is that of teaching the technical aspects of camera operation, film developing, wet lab processes including fine art printing, toning, and wet lab image manipulation, scanning film, basic and intermediate Photoshop image processing and manipulation, and archival digital printing in association with developing the student’s ability to understand, create, and communicate using photography as their medium.

2003-2004
Graduate Teaching Assistant. Photography 1, Photography 2, Studio Photographic Lighting. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

As a teaching assistant for Photography 1, Photography 2, and Studio Photographic Lighting my role was to support the professor in their respective courses in the form of providing demonstrations, lectures, critiques, grading, and individualized aesthetic and technical student assistance.

Exhibitions

Fellowships, Honors, Awards

2003-2006
Graduate Fellowship, Full Award, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

1996/1997
Undergraduate Exhibition Juror’s award, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Bibliography

Professional Affiliations

1997-Present Society for Photographic Education
2005-Present College Art Association

Art-Related Experience

Other Related Experience

1997-Present
Graphic Designer, 1% Productions, Omaha, NE

My responsibilities to 1% Productions have varied dramatically over the years, but I have consistently done design work for this small firm. The majority of my work is in the form of original design posters advertising upcoming concerts and events (roughly 2-3 per month). I have also worked in hospitality coordination and done detail work for larger events.

2000-2003
English Teacher, Saint Louis Catholic High School, Lake Charles, LA

In this position I was responsible for teaching 10th grade World Literature, 11th grade American Literature, 12th grade British Literature, Honors Key Authors/ World Literature, and Honors Creative Writing. Beyond teaching, this position required participation on various committees, the sponsoring of an extra curricular club, and volunteering at a variety of school coordinated activities. 2001-2003 English Dept. Chair, St. Louis Catholic High School, Lake Charles, LA In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, this position required supervising and evaluating English department faculty, overseeing of the department budget, ordering text books and supplies, coordinating and executing department faculty meetings, developing curriculum, and reporting English department progress and concerns at monthly department chair meeting with the administration.

1998-2000
Art Teacher, Cameron Parish School System, Cameron, LA

In this position I taught introductory design, drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history to students ranging in age from 1st to 8th grade. I was employed by the school system’s special education department to work specifically with students evaluated and deemed exceptional in the visual arts as part of the Gifted and Talented educational program.