Hi I am John!

I was born in the community of Bogalusa, LA. in the month of December, 1971.  When I turned four my family moved to Baton Rouge, LA., where the public school system provided me with my earliest introduction to art making.   
 
All throughout my education as a youth I was drawing. I didn’t really imagine myself as an artist until I attended Southern A&M University as an Art major.  I also attended Memphis College of Art for graduate study where I was awarded a Master’s of Fine Art degree in Sculpture in 1999.  I began my academic career in New Orleans at Dillard University where I currently direct the Visual Arts program.  

My work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and also in juried international biennials. My work is primarily wood, which I construct into assemblages.  Inspiration for my work is based on the surroundings in New Orleans and the delta region as a whole.  It is also influenced by local news reports that highlight activities such as: gentrification, income inequity, racism, violence, and justice.

Career Highlights

JOHN BARNES   
New Orleans, LA
Email: john@johnbarnes.com

EDUCATION
1999   MFA, Memphis College of Art (focus on sculpture)
1997    BA, Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2004 - Current     Department Chair, Dilliard Univeristy, Department of Visual Arts
2004                      Redesigned curriculum for Visual Arts instruction, Dillard University
2000 - 2005         Managed and developed an annual visual art lecture series / student portfolio review which featured renown artists   
                                Instructor in Department of Visual Arts, Dillard University. Taught Sculpture I & II, Ceramics I & II, Design 2D & 3D, Introduction to Figure Drawing, Painting I & II
2000 – 2015        Gallery Director, Dillard University Art Gallery
1999 – 2000        Visiting Lecturer, Dillard University Department of Visual Arts

EXHIBITIONS
2017
Antenna Gallery 3718 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA
2016
State of Fear Barrister’s Art gallery
Good Children Gallery Group exhibition
Southern Parlor at Ace Hotel, Juried Group exhibition
2015
Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s Louisiana Contemporary Juried Exhibition. Ranked first place by Juror.
Hurricane Katrina Anniversary Exhibition, Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans, LA. Group exhibition.
2014
“Guns in the Hands of Artist" Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, New Orleans, LA. Group exhibition.
“Voodoo, Snowballs, and Gumbo", Stella Jones Gallery. Group exhibition.
"Eschatology", University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Solo exhibition.

LECTURES / PRESENTATIONS
2014
Panel lecture for “Guns in the Hands of Artist” exhibition, International Sculpture Conference, New Orleans, LA
Gallery Talk, Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans, LA
Lecture presentation, “Eschatology”, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Killeen, TX
2011
Led a 3-hour relief printmaking workshop for adults, sponsored by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Mahalia Jackson Center, New Orleans, LA
Gallery walk-through of “Conscience-lectured about my contribution to the exhibit”, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
2010
“A Harsh Reality Closing reception and lecture”, Southeastern University, Hammond, Louisiana
The table in Art Lecture, Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Featured Lecturer.
2008
Panel lecture guest on Contemporary Art- Louisiana ArtWorks
ArtSpeak guest lecturer Prospect.1 local artists, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
“The Fine Art of Craft”, Louisiana ArtWorks, New Orleans, LA. Moderated panel lecture.
2007
Lecture on Sculpture. Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA. Panel moderator.
2005
“Barbershop Rap” panel discussion following the opening of Hair Stories, New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center.
2004
WWNO-KTLN “Louisiana Artist interview Series”. Download interview: www.wwno.org/archives.asp
2003
Cox Communications Eighth Annual Black History Month contest, New Orleans Museum of Art. Keynote speaker.
Dookie – Chase Symposium of the Arts panel lecture “The New Krewe”
2002
Dookie – Chase restaurant, New Orleans, LA
2001
ArtSpeak Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA

AWARDS
2017    Recipient of "Extraordinary Artist" awarded by the New Orleans chapter of the
            National Conference of Artists
2011    Recipient of SweetArts Award, Artist/Educator of the Year, Contemporary Art Center, New Orleans, LA

All images and text on this website and blog are copyright protected. ©2017 John Barnes