I am interested in the worlds that are unseen, the realm of the imagination, all that live in them and the emotions within us. My work addresses the theme of identity and is an exploration of the many layers, which defines who we are as individuals.
For me, one of the most important aspects of my art is to evoke feelings and have the viewer relate to the work on an emotional level. I create figurative pieces with a sense of realism in order to create a direct connection to the viewer.
I am interested in the idea of emotions and experiences coming together to form layers that make up ones identity - much like our physical anatomy, in which each layer such as bone, flesh and skin overlaps and builds onto the next, creating new forms that bury the old.
My inspirations come mainly from nature and everything I see. I am fascinated by the complex layers or parts of every living thing and how it all works together to create something that is alive, something that thinks, feels, listens and breathes. I then take this fascination and apply it to everything I see, making everything take on life and this is where my work begins.
Education
2013 Post-Bacc. Certificate in Art Education, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
2011 MFA, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2005 BFA, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Awards
2004 Arizona State University, Dean’s list
2001 University of Washington, Dean’s list
1994 Mesa Community College Student Art Show, Best of 3-D Category
Solo Exhibitions
2000 Trying to Breathe, Shoe Building, Seattle, WA
Selected Group Exhibition
2016 Faculty Show, The Haverford School Centennial Hall, Haverford, PA
2015 Halloween Show, 2 Church St. Art & Craft Gallery, Mt. Holly, NJ
2015 Art Show, Tattooed Mom’s, Philadelphia, PA
2014 A Night of Art, Film and Cupcakes, Tattooed Mom’s, Philadelphia, PA
2014 SeeMe Takeover, See.Me | Exhibition, NYC, NY
2013 Creative Risings, Art Takes Paris, See.Me | Exhibition, New York, NY
2013 The Story of the Creative, See.Me | Exhibition, New York, NY
2013 Casting 2, Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Casting, Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Metal, Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Spring Fling, WAH Center, Brooklyn, NY
2011 Art from Detritus: Recycling with Imagination, WAH Center, Brooklyn, NY
2010 Art from Detritus: Recycling with Imagination, New York, NY
2010 An ‘Eve’ning, Think Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2007 Opening, Paulina Miller Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2006 Evidence, Paulina Miller Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2005 Melting Point, A Cold War Flash-Forward, The Icehouse, Phoenix, AZ
2005 Visual Murmurs, BFA Sculpture Exhibition, Gallery 100 ASU, Tempe, AZ
2005 ASU Neon, Rezurrection Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2004 Mentorship, The Window Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2004 Beyond Postmodernism, Paulina Miller Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2004 Collective Inferno, Rezurrection Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2004 Metroscapes, Icehouse, Phoenix, AZ
2003 Undergraduate Juried Show, Harry Wood Art Gallery, ASU, Tempe, AZ
2003 Hatch- Emerging Video Artists at Otis College, Egyptian Theater Film Forum, L.A., CA
2000 Art Drill, University of Washington Art School show, Seattle, WA
1999 Bazaar, The Fenix, Seattle, WA, 1999.
Bibliography
Selina Schuh Dopp, "First Friday Round-up," Contact Magazine, 2006, 60 – 61.
Collections
Jill Anderson Acton
Lance Alder
Benjamin Anderson
Dana Barbieri
Dan Fante
Jeremy Nothum
Paul Ramirez III
Julie Reed
Cassidy Row
Teaching
2015 Visiting Artist at Nazareth Academy High School, Philadelphia, PA
2015/Current Uncork Your Art, Swedesboro, NJ
2014/Current Art Educator, JRS Studios, Wenonah, NJ
2014/Current Adjunct Professor, Widener University, Chester, PA
2014 Instructor, John C Anderson Community Center, Philadelphia, PA
2013/Current Instructor, Artist Network University, Online
2013/Current Instructor, City of Philadelphia Senior Art Camp, Philadelphia, PA
2013/Current Haverford School for Boys, Art Substitute, Haverford, PA
2013/Current Moore College of Art & Design, Youth Teacher, Philadelphia, PA
2007 Guest Artist/Teaching at ASU, Tempe, AZ
2005 Certified Art Instructor, Kidzart, Scottsdale, AZ
2002 Foundry Teacher’s Assistant, Otis College of Art and Design, L. A., CA
Private Commissions
2007 Sculpture Commission – Dan Fante, Tempe, AZ
1999 Commissioned Props designer, Theater Schmeater, Seattle, WA
1992 Band/orchestra logo design, Mesa High School, Mesa, AZ
Gallery Representation
2015 Church St. Art & Craft Gallery, Mt. Holly, NJ
2004/08 Paulina Miller Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
1999 Representatives of artwork, Portage Bay Goods Seattle, WA
1997/98 Representatives of artwork, Gallery Attendant, East 7th Art Market, Tempe, AZ
Other Art Related Employment
2010/11 Autopsy Bears – Prototype Designer of Toy Collection, Tucson, AZ
2007/09 Mama Java’s – Barista, Art Gallery Coordinator, Phoenix, AZ
2005/06 Jerry’s Artarama – Buyer/Merchandiser of Art Supplies, Tempe, AZ
2004/05 Scottsdale Center for the Arts – Gallery Attendant, Scottsdale, AZ
2004/05 Arizona State University – Sculpture Shop Technician, Tempe, AZ
2003/04 Kinko’s – Floater, Customer Service, Cashier, Tempe, AZ
2002/03 Kinko’s – Colour/BW key op, Binding, Laminating, Cashier, Tucson,AZ
2002 Thompsen’s Associates – Web Design, Clerical work, Art Installation, L.A., CA
2001/02 Otis College of Art and Design - Shop Technician, Los Angeles, CA
1999/01 Kinko’s – Colour/BW Key op, Binding, Graphic Design, Laminating, Seattle, WA
1998/99 Yen Lui Photography Lab - Colour corrections for film, Picture Framer, Seattle, WA
1996/97 Dalzell, Inc. – Performed finishing work on photography, Delivered finished work, Tempe, AZ
1996/97 Sharon Segi – Made wax molds and soldered pieces for jewelry artist, Tempe, AZ
Jenifer R Stern was born 1974 in Mesa, Arizona. Far from the stereotypical barrenness,
Stern's youthful desert was populated with layers of wonders and creatures, some of whom
only she could see. Early attempts to capture their likeness in drawings gave way to the
more satisfying third dimension of sculpture.
Stern's mixed media sculptures raise questions about identity and how we define ourselves
within contemporary culture. Her figurative work is an interpretation of the many facets of
identity, which she addresses with a multi-layered approach to building form. Stern’s
sculptures are a visual experience of how emotions, chance impressions and pivotal
experiences mold and alter us. Recognizable and yet alien, her work traverses
the landscape of her own experiences and observations.
Stern received a BFA in Sculpture from Arizona State University in 2005, her MFA in Sculpture
at the Academy of Art University in 2011 and her Art Education Teaching Certificate at Moore College of Art in 2013. She is currently creating and teaching art and resides in South New Jersey with her son and her father.
