Laura O'Quin
Design Person — Seattle, WA
About
I aspire to find and make meaning by combining high and low art forms, modern materials, craft and design, brick and mortar, in products and in social events. I work to contextualize experiences and disseminate ideas through making. My goal is to create a collage aesthetic that is about objects, experiences, beauty, sustainability, and cultural consciousness.
- Experience:
- 10+ years
- Education:
- Western Washington University
- Affiliations:
- ARCADE, Led Pencil Studio, Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Grain Design, AIGA, SVA Product of Design
- Awards:
- Double Eagle Scholarship 2010-2011
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Resumé
Graphic Designer
Western Washington University, Office of Sustainability, 2011
Art Educator
Frye Art Museum, 2008-2010
Designed and implemented k-12 programs connected to the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Coordinated the Summer Art Studio for continuing education for adults alongside implemented trainings and evaluations for docents, volunteers and interns.
Public Programs Manager
Open Satellite, 2008-2010
Responsibilities included, development and magaement of programs to contextualize Open Satellite as a contemporary art exhibition hall for the Seattle metropolitan area. The residency-based program provided an opportunity for emerging and mid-career artists from outside the region to work for an extended period to create large-scale artwork in any medium. Exhibitions were staged four times annually with every fifth show focused on architecture as a critical position. Acted as the public relations liaison and assisted in the development and distribution of e-marketing, social networking, guerilla marketing and other promotional strategies.
Freelance Contractor
2008-2009
Worked for a variety of non-profit art and cultural organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and the Frye Art Museum. I designed and implemented interdisciplinary art curriculum, programming, professional development trainings (for adults), as well as project management assignments.
Assistant Manager of Teen and Family Programs
Seattle Art Museum, 2006-2008
I was responsible for the development and oversight of all teen and family programs and logistics; including planning, budgeting, execution of programs, and audience development. Developed interpretive materials and interactive art installations for selected special exhibitions and permanent collection exhibitions for the SAM, Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park, (OSP). Managed all education spaces across all three sites. Ensured all artist arrangements and facility logistics for the success of the ACEproject (Artist Created Experience Project) an annual artist in residence and installation project in SAM’s free public spaces. Acted as the lead liaison for research and installation of Mark Dion’s Neukcom Vivarium during the inception of the OSP. Implemented docent and volunteer evaluations. Worked closely with Marketing and Public Relations Departments to ensure affective promotion of all programs to targeted audiences.
Art Educator
Seattle Art Museum, 2004-2006
Designed and implemented k-12 programs connected to museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Coordinated and implemented trainings and evaluations for docents, volunteers and interns.
Teaching Artist
Arts Corps, 2002-2005
Developed and implemented afterschool black and white/darkroom, digital photography classes and design fundamental workshops. Worked closely with K-12 schools, community centers, University of Washington students, volunteers and assistants. Developed evaluation methods to measure the student’s progress and prepared metrics for annual reports.
Teaching Artist in Residence
Powerful Schools, 2003
Developed and implemented integrated arts curriculum for fourth-fith grade classes at Orca Elementary mirrored after Wendy Ewald's book, The Best Part of Me. Developed and implemented a rubric for assessment of student and partnership success.
