VANDA LAVAR

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CURRICULUM VITAE

Born: Santa Cruz, CA

Resides: Soquel, CA and Placerville, CA

Studio/Gallery: Soquel, CA

 

EDUCATION

2020 MFA, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA (Pending)

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2016 United Way Community Transformation with United Nations Pres. Dr. Monica Sharma

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2010 Advanced Seminar, instructor Lesley Harrison, PSA (Soft Pastel Work)

2009 Intermediate Studies Pastel Technique, instructor Lesley Harrison, PSA

2008 Advanced Seminar Acrylic Painting, instructor Terry Isaacs

2007 Advanced Workshop Wildlife in Gouache, instructor Carl Brenders

2000 Theology, Saint Mary’s of Minnesota

1997 Bachelor of Arts double majors of Marketing and Art, with a minor in Symbolism

 

TEACHING

2020-2019 Owner of Academy of Fine Arts in the Pines / Current

2018 - 2017 Director of Fine Arts School in the Pines / current

2017 Teaching Artist Aptos High School / Pajaro Valley School District/2017 School Year

2017 Teaching Artist Aptos Post-Secondary School / Special Education Art Teacher/2017 School Year

2017 Good Shepherd Catholic School Summer Arts Program Instructor

2017 Though Current Seminar Instructor / Santa Cruz Art League, SC CA /Oils, Acrylic. Pastel

2017-2005 Academy Le Chat Noir / Private Lessons

2016-2017 Current Art Director and Children’s Program Facilitator/TSC Academics

2016 SPECTRA Artist with the Santa Cruz Arts Council/Vetted Art Instructor Santa Cruz County

2016 Good Shepherd Catholic School Summer Arts Program Instructor

2015 Through Current Teaching Artist Chart Paks Saratoga, CA (children/adults) Drawing and Painting

2015 Through Current Teaching Artist for Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond, CA

2015 Scholarship for Transformational Community / United Nations, Monica Sharma

2012 through 2015 Ambassador Teaching Artist for Rembrandt Oils, Pastels and Canson papers

2009 Designer/ teacher outreach program/risk youth in The Boys and Girls Club, of El Dorado County

2002 through 2011 Aide to Doctoral Professor, Sacramento State Grading and Instructing

2002 through 2005 Co-Managed Gallery Eclectica, Folsom CA/ Seminar topics Nature Art and Still Life

2000 Ambassador Artist for Chroma Acrylics

 

LECTURES

2017 Aptos Post-Secondary School, Aptos, CA / Acrylic Painting in Layers

2015 Watercolor University / Online lecture/demo of fur painting techniques

2014 Preston Castle, Ione, CA / Art, Inspiration and Creativity

2014 University Art, San Jose, CA / Hamelin Water Soluble Oil Paints

2013 University Art, San Jose, CA / Canson Papers

2012 Palace Art and Supplies, Capitola CA /Rembrandt Pastels

2012 Flax Art and Design, San Francisco CA /Atelier Interactive Professional Artists’ Acrylic

LECTURES (CONTINUED)

2017 Academy Le Chat Noir / Understanding What Makes Art Valuable

2017 Academy Le Chat Noir / Painting Techniques of the Pre-Raphaelites

2016 Academy Le Chat Noir / Understanding First Nations / American Aboriginal Symbolism

2016 Academy Le Chat Noir / Pre-Raphaelite Women Artist and Spiritualism

2015 Academy Le Chat Noir / How Vasari Influenced Millennial Art Perception

2015 Academy Le Chat Noir / Saint Francis of Assisi and His Influence on Art

2015 Academy Le Chat Noir / The story of Women and Art

2015 Academy Le Chat Noir / Illuminated Manuscripts Brief History and Techniques

2015 Academy Le Chat Noir / Writing Icons, Level 1, Begining

 

EXHIBITIONS

2017-2011 Gerri's Gallery, Carmel Valley, CA

2017-2011 Phebe’s Gallery, Capitola CA

2017-2013 Thomas Kinkade Annex at the Village Mouse in Capitola, CA

2017 Mama De Luna Art Gallery in Crockett, CA

2017-2015 Watercolor University / Online Gallery

2016-2017 Art Escape, Sonoma, CA

2014 -2009 Academy of Art University Featured Online Portfolio

2010-2011 Art on the Divide, Georgetown

2009 The Green Room Gallery at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2009, New York, NY

1999-2009 Gallery Eclectica, Placerville and Folsom,CA

1999 Fire and Ice, Folsom CA

1998 American Visions Art Gallery Folsom, CA

1997-2000 Hang it up Gallery, El Dorado Hills, CA

1993 Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA

1993 Sacramento Illustrators Guild, Sacramento, CA

1993-1995 The Duck Stamp Gallery in Fair Oaks, CA

1992-1993 Gallery By The Lake, Folsom CA

1988 Ella Gray Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA

 

REVIEWS

2014 Santa Cruz Sentinel CA

2014 Port Angeles Daily News, WA

2011 Mountain Democrat, 2nd Saturday, February Sacramento CA

2010 Canine Arts Courier, June

2009 Dog Art Today

1997 The Union Institute Magazine

1990 The Folsom Telegraph

 

MEMBERSHIPS

Santa Cruz Arts Council

El Dorado Arts Council

Santa Cruz Mt. Art Center

The Artists’ Rights Group

Santa Cruz Art League

 

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Gerri's Gallery, Carmel Valley, CA, Phebe’s Gallery, Capitola CA,

Art Escape, Sonoma, CA, Thomas Kinkade Annex at the Village Mouse in Capitola, CA,

Watercolor University / Online Gallery