BENJAMIN O’NEILL COWDEN
EDUCATION
2004-2007 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Master of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing
• Produced interactive mechanical and electronic sculptures in metal, resin, wood, and
found objects.
• Pursuing advanced technical development in machine- and hand-fabrication, mechanical design, and alternative materials.
1996-2000 Friends World Program of Long Island University Southampton NY Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Worked with jewelers in San Jose, Costa Rica as part of an independent study in metalwork.
• Studied traditional knife-making with Baka Pygmy tribespeople with conducting anthropology study in Cameroon.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2007-Present Ferrous Studios Incorporated Richmond CA
Assistant Project Manager
• Assists in project planning, CAD design, task delegation, and construction of custom metalwork
• Manages on-site fabrication and installation of decorative and structural architectural iron.
2007 California Shakespeare Company Orinda CA
Overhire Scenery Technician
• Assisted with the construction and installation of large metal and wood elements for theatrical productions, including on-site welding, tube bending, and light rigging.
2007 Center Repertory Theater Walnut Creek CA
Overhire Scenery Technician
• Responsible for the construction of scenery for theatrical productions, including wood framing and mixed media landscape assemblages.
2007-Present The Crucible Oakland CA
Intern Fabricator/Studio Assistant
• Assists Studio Managers in maintenance and repair of shop equipment, construction and fabrication of new shop fixtures, etc.
• Participant in public demonstrations of metalsmithing techniques, including oxy-acetylene torch cutting and arc welding.
2005-2007 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Studio Technician, Industrial Design Department
• Responsible for maintaining safe and well-equipped studio environment for undergraduate students in Industrial Design, including building and repairing equipment/fixtures, acquiring and installing new tools and materials.
• Assisted faculty in assigning and evaluating projects, teaching proper use of shop equipment and intermediate techniques of prototyping and modeling.
2006 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Book Conservation Assistant, Morris Library Preservation Department
• Responsible for repairing worn and damaged books, and for building cloth-covered preservation boxes for non-repairable materials.
2005 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Studio Technician, Blacksmith Shop, Metalsmithing Department
• Responsible for maintaining safe and well-equipped studio environment in large-scale metalsmithing studio, including ordering, installing, and repairing equipment and assisting students with course projects
2001-2003 Appalachian Center for Crafts Cookeville TN
of Tennessee Technological University
Artist in Residence, Metals Department
• Responsible for maintenance of metals facility, including construction and repair of equipment, ordering and stocking of supplies, and assisting faculty and students during
and outside class time with projects and assignments.
2001-2004 Self-Employed Professional Blacksmith Smithville TN
Sole-Proprieter, Production and Commission Ironwork Company
• Represented by three commercial galleries in Tennessee and North Carolina.
• Participated in craft fairs across central Tennessee, selling production ironwork and taking wholesale orders.
• Completed commissioned ironwork for clients, ranging from architectural railing and furniture to delicate kitchen utensils.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2008 The Crucible Oakland CA
Instructor, Introduction to Mechanical Sculpture
• Designed projects for students to gain understanding of mechanical movement and construction techniques for kinetic artwork.
2007 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Teaching Assistant, New Media Department
• Assisted faculty in creating and presenting classroom activities related to digital, audio/visual, and electronic artwork, including conducting lectures and critiques.
• Worked directly with students, both graduate and undergraduate, on projects involving multimedia, electronic, and interactive elements.
2004-2005 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Instructor of Record, Introduction to Metalsmithing
• Conducted introductory level studio course in metalsmithing techniques for undergraduate students.
• Responsible for preparing lectures and demonstrations, conducting critiques, and grading student work.
2004-2005 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale IL
Graduate Assistant, Introduction to Visual Culture
• Conducted discussion laboratories and group activities with students covering material from course reader and lectures.
• Responsible for grading homework, quizzes, research papers and exams, as well as issuing final grade for semester.
2002-2003 Friends of Appalachian Center for Crafts Cookeville TN
Metals Instructor, High School Art/Craft Program
• Instructed rural high school students from around central Tennessee in basic metalsmithing project.
2002-2003 Appalachian Center for Crafts Cookeville TN
Adjunct Faculty, Metals Department
• Assisted and evaluated undergraduate students in a variety of projects in an independent study environment during Summer Semester 2002 and 2003.
• Acted as substitute professor in blacksmithing courses during faculty leave of absence, October-November, 2003.
2002-2003 Friends of Appalachian Center for Crafts Cookeville TN
Metals Instructor, High School Art/Craft Program
• Instructed rural high school students from around central Tennessee in basic metalsmithing project.
2002 Chattanooga State Technical Community College Chattanooga TN
Blacksmithing Instructor, Visiting Artist Program
• Taught undergraduate students in basic blacksmithing skills during a two-day workshop in December, 2002.
2002 Appalachian Center for Crafts Smithville TN
Blacksmithing Instructor
• Taught two weekend workshops in basic blacksmithing skills during February and November, 2002.
• Taught evening workshop in basic and intermediate blacksmithing from February to April, 2002.
EXHIBITIONS
November 2008 Applied Kinetic Arts, group show
Y2Y Gallery San Francisco CA
September 2008 Arse Elektronika Conference
CELLspace San Francisco CA
August 2008 Intel Developers Forum Maker Faire
Moscone Center San Francisco CA
August 2008 Waterproof, Resident Artist Exhibition
ABCo Artspace Oakland CA
May 2008 Maker Faire
San Mateo Fairgrounds San Mateo CA
June 2007 The New Steel, National Juried
Delta Axis Gallery Memphis, TN
March 2007 Ad Hoc Revelry, MFA Thesis Exhibition
The University Museum, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
February 2007 Love at the Glove, Annual Valentine's Day Exhibition
The Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
December 2006 MFA Preview show
The University Museum, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
October 2006 Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society Graduate Exhibition
The University Museum, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
April 2006 School of Art and Design Second Year Graduate Exhibition The Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
February 2006 Love at the Glove, Annual Valentine's Day Exhibition The Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
November 2005 A Complex but Inelegant System, Solo Exhibition
Nicholas Vergette Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
September 2005 Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society Conference Exhibition
Pulliam Hall, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
February 2005 Love at the Glove, Annual Valentines Day Exhibition The Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
November 2004 School of Art and Design First Year Graduate Exhibition The Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
July 2004 Artist Blacksmith Association of North America Juried Exhibition
ABANA Conference at Kentucky University Richmond KY
April 2003 TPAC Premier Evening Exhibition
Tennessee Performing Arts Center Nashville TN
April 2003 Annual Artist in Residence Exhibition
Appalachian Center for Crafts Smithville TN
April 2002 Annual Artist in Residence Exhibition
Appalachian Center for Crafts Smithville TN
AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS
Winner of Golden Kleene award, Arse Elektronika Conference, CELLspace San Francisco CA.
Winner of three Editor's Choice awards for booth display at 2008 Maker Faire, San Mateo California.
“A Series of Arbitrary but Passionate Decisions” (2006) Second Place winner in Engineering Ingenuity Category, 2006 International Kinetic Art Competition, Kinetic Art Organization.
“Some People I Don’t Know” (2006) Second Place winner in "Functionetic" Category, 2006 International Kinetic Art Competition, Kinetic Art Organization.
“Barbed Collar” (2003) featured in 500 Necklaces, Lark Books, juror Marjorie Schick
“Reading Lamp” (2003) featured in Anvils Ring, vol. 32, no. 4 (Winter 2004) |
