Bio/CV
Bio:
Pena’s work blends photography, installation, and sculptural elements in artworks that challenge the viewer to reposition their perspective physically and mentally. Reoccurring themes in her work are; humans altered relationship with nature and the boundaries and limits of our built environment.
Outside of her studio practices, Pena is dedicated to creating, teaching, and exploring Public Art and community engagement. She has also worked at UrbanArt Commission (a public art nonprofit in Memphis, TN) to focus on Art Administration. Currently she works at Memphis College of Art, where she teaches a public art course and acts as MCA's Coordinator of Public Programs.
Curriculum Vitae:
Education
- Memphis College of Art, Tennessee, M.F.A., 2006—May 2008
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri, B.F.A., 2000-2004
Exhibitions
2011
- Fracking: Art and Activism Against the Drill, Exit Art, New York, NY
2010
- From the Center: Now, hosted by Womens Caucus for Art, Juror: Lucy Lippard, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2009
- Faculty Exhibition, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
- Interactive, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2008
- Green, Haven Arts Gallery, Bronx, NY
- External Structure, Caladan Gallery, Online Show
- One Good Chair, Sustainable Furnishings Council, Las Vegas Market, Las Vegas, NV
- Sculpted Green, Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition, City Hall concourse, Bellevue, WA
- Solitary Tracks Stretched Out Upon the World, MFA Thesis Exhibition, On The Street Gallery, Memphis, TN
2007
- The Best Artworks of the Year-Class of 07’, Lantana Projects, Memphis, TN
- The Unfinished Journey of Carl Linnaeus, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO
- Fallen From View, Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis, TN
- Selected Graduate Work, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
2006
- U-Haul Show, Kansas City, MO
- Women in the Arts 2006, Brady Commons Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
- Group Exhibition, 5th Annual Garage Art, Columbia, MO
2005
- Instructor Exhibition, Brady Commons Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
- Dual Exhibition, Cairdeas Coffee, St. Louis, MO
- Dual Exhibition, Cummel’s Cafe, St. Louis, MO
- Dual Exhibition, Hacienda Perdomo, Columbia, MO
- Dual Exhibition, Washington Avenue Post, St. Louis, MO
- Group Exhibition, 5th Annual Garage Art, Columbia, MO
2004
- Undergraduate Art Excellence, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
- Take it in, University of Missouri Senior Art Show, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
- Day of the Dead Invitational, University of Missouri Fiber’s Gallery, Columbia, MO
- Atkins Propeller Artist’s Open Studio, Columbia, MO
- Thicket, Missouri Blue Stem alley installation, Columbia, MO
2003
- U-Haul Show, Kansas City, MO
- Titled, Peace Park Installation, Columbia, MO
Professional Experience
- Coordinator of Public Programs, Memphis College of Art, Oct. 2011- Present
- Community Art Workshop Coordinator, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Oct. 2009 - Dec. 2010
- Adjunt Instructor, Made Public, Memphis College of Art, Fall 2009- Present
- Adjunt Professor, Art Appreciation, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Fall 2008 - Spring 2010
- Administrative Assistant, the UrbanArt Commission, June 2008- July 2009
- Personal Assistant to sculptor Roy Tamboli, Memphis, TN. May 2007- Aug. 2008
- Teaching Assistant, Idea, Process, and Criticism. Fall 2007
- Teaching Assistant, Made Public, Memphis College of Art. Spring Semester 2007
- Environmental Art Lecture, Memphis College of Art. Feb. 2007
- City of Columbia, Department of Cultural Affairs, Public Art Intern. Oct. 2004- Aug. 2006
- Student Assistant for Professor Brooke Cameron at the University of Missouri. Fall Semester 2004
Public Art Commissions
- Clear The Air TN, Living Sculpture Commission, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Memphis, TN, 2011
- Interactions/ Interpretations, Urban Art Commissions, Memphis, TN, 2007- 2008
Curator:
-The American Dream: a Juxtaposition, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL, Jan. 21st- Feb. 24th 2011
Public Speaking
- Artist Lecture, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN. Oct. 2008
- Interactions/ Interruptions panel discussion, Memphis College of Art. May 2008
- Artist Lecture, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN. March 2008
- Take it in Slide Lecture and Fund Raiser for North Central Neighborhood Association, Columbia, MO.Dec. 2004
Grants
- ArtsMemphis, Emerging Artist Grant, Memphis, TN. Sept. 2007
Awards
- One Good Chair Design Competition, Runner up, Sponsored by the Sustainable Furnishings Council. July 2008
- Presidential Purchase Award, Memphis College of Art. May 2008
- Hohenberg Merit Scholarship, Memphis College of Art. Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
- Portfolio Merit Scholarship, Memphis College of Art. Fall 2006 —Spring 2008
Publications
- Learning Curve (Memphis Flyer, May 8th 2008)
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A42955
- Take a Seat (Earthkeepers, Sept. 24th 2008)
http://earthkeeper.com/blog/tag/catherine-blackwell-pena/
- More Than One Good Chair, Lance Hosey (Metropolis P/O/V, Oct. 14th 2008)
http://www.metropolismag.com/pov/?p=2271