Resume

Jan Brown Checco

Master Artist, Teacher, Artistic Director and Arts Administrator
tel: (513) 751-4783
email: jan@brownchecco.com
website: www.brownchecco.com

Processes, Materials and Technical Specialties

  • International Artists Exchange projects, designed and directed in North America, Cuba, Asia, Europe and Africa
  • Design and direction of community-based public art projects, both temporary and permanent
  • Planning, design, fabrication and installation of public artworks using handmade ceramic mosaics and paints
  • Three-dimensional gallery installations and assemblages with found objects, fiber, wood and fired glazed clays
  • Graphic design, illustration, presentation art using computer programs Photoshop, Illustrator & PowerPoint
  • Figurative and symbolist paintings, with egg tempera, fresco, oil, acrylic, watercolor and drawing mediums

Professional Experience & Awards

  • Cliftonfest, a cultural arts event in historic Clifton, Cincinnati; programming and art direction (2012-2014)
  • Art on the Square, a regional visual arts festival, founder (1993-96); programming director (1994 &1996)
  • AIR-Artist in Residence program for Finneytown Local Schools, founder and director (1991-96)
  • Art Director for design firm Forrec International, for conceptual design of museum exhibits and theme parks (1988-91)
  • Art Administrator for the Cincinnati Park Board (2008 – 2013) providing research, conceptual design, workshop management of:
    • Butterflies of Morocco show, Krohn Conservatory; design advisor and cultural orientation to design team (2012)
    • Butterflies of the World Exhibition at Krohn Conservatory, co-designer and workshop leader (2012)
    • Carol Ann’s Carousel at Smale Riverfront Park, research, conceptual design and project launch (2012-13)
    • Smale Riverfront Park paintings and limited edition prints for Cincinnati Parks Foundation (2012)
    • Black Brigade Monument for Smale Riverfront Park, conceptual design, artist selection, art direction (2008-2012)
    • Butterflies of Brazil Exhibition at Krohn Conservatory, co-designer and workshop leader (2011)
    • Butterflies of Japan Exhibition at Krohn Conservatory, co-designer and workshop leader (2010)
    • Butterflies of India Exhibition at the Krohn Conservatory, co-designer and workshop leader (2009)
    • Establishment of Cincinnati Park Board Artists Registry (2009)
    • Liberty Garden by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and Park Board in Eden Park, design team (2004 – 05)
    • Alpine Gardens, Krohn Conservatory, guest artistic director for autumn floral & art exhibition (2007)
  • Award: International Prize for Innovation from Sister Cities International, Triangular Drawings project (2009)
  • Award: Winner of Floral Carpet Design Competition, A Butterfly Kite, Fountain Square, Cincinnati, OH (2008)
  • Award: Distinguished Alumna Award, Art Academy of Cincinnati (2007)
  • Award: Design Excellence Award: Cincinnati Garden & Mosaics Project, BUGA 2005, Munich, Germany (2005)
  • Award: Regional Leadership Forum Greater Cincinnati Hall of Fame, “Outstanding Cultural Arts Program” for Clay, Color and Fire at TM Berry International Friendship Park (2004)
  • Award: Winner of the Post Corbett Award for Artistic Excellence for “Individual in the Arts” Achievement (2003)
  • Ohio Governor’s Award for Community Development through the Arts, nominee (2003 & 2004)
  • Award: Art Direction – Ohio Humanities Council/Ohio State Capitol Exhibition, “Ohio Builds a State” (1993)

Selected Projects

  • “The Queen’s Crown Jewels,” Liuzhou, China, design direction and ceramic artwork fabrication for international artists exchange (2016)
  • “Stars in the Garden,” design and fabrication of a ceramic floor mosaic for the Monastery Event Center restoration (2015)
  • Four large copper panels for Friendship Bridge, Cincinnati/Liuzhou Friendship Garden, Liuzhou, China; design drawings (2012-15)
  • “Nature Calls!” ceramic & glass mosaic art treatment for restrooms at Fitton Center, Hamilton OH, design and fabrication (2015)
  • Atrium Art Panels, Junior Class legacy gift and artist residency, Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria, KY (2014)
  • Blue Ash Chalkwalks for Summit Park Dedication Celebration; curator, trainer, artist and project manager (2014)
  • Clifton Plaza Mural, co-designer, project manager and crew member, Clifton, Cincinnati (2014)
  • “The Native Cincinnatians” Metro Bus Shelter Art Treatment, Clifton neighborhood, Cincinnati, OH (2013)
  • ReArt – International drawing exchanges with Kharkiv, Ukraine, and Baracoa, Cuba; lead artist (2012-13)
  • OTR Flags Project, cooperating with Tender Mercies and Nast Trinity Church, OTR (2012)
  • “The Unfolding Spirit” Tender Mercies Mosaic Mural for Dana Building; designer, lead artist, workshop manager (2010)
  • “The Four Seasons” – Twin Lakes mosaic mural design and community-based workshop management (2010)
  • Homewood Suites Hilton Hotel, two commissioned signature paintings, Florence, KY (2008)
  • Ceramic Mosaic Ground Inlay for Cin-Liu Friendship Garden Plaza, LongTan Park, Liuzhou PR China (2008)
  • Ceramic Mosaic Plaza Inlay, artwork for a public garden plaza, Riem, Germany (2008)
  • Eunice Bray Memorial Butterfly Garden, Columbus, OH, commissioned sculpture for the (2008)
  • Commissioned painting for Saint Elizabeth South Hospice, Northern Kentucky (2008)
  • Triangular Drawings – Lead Artist for international drawing exchanges with Munich, Germany, and Liuzhou, PR China (2006-09)
  • Children’s Hospital Burnet Avenue Building, 100+ paintings, Lead Artist for community-based art program (2009)
  • International Childrens’ Villages Mural Workshop for adult program, design and workshop direction, ofˆ Cincinnati, OH (2007)
  • “The Four Elements” Twin Lakes Garden Mosaics, community-based art project, design and workshop, Montgomery, OH (2007)
  • Smale Riverfront Park, conceptual design phase, design team member for park planning, Cincinnati, OH (2006)
  • Twin Lakes Fountain Mosaics, community-based art project, design and workshop direction Montgomery, OH (2006)
  • Ceramic Mosaic Artwork for Cincinnati Garden Plaza, BUGA 2005 Horticultural Expo, Munich, Germany (2004)
  • “Clay, Color and Fire” international public art collaboration with ceramic masters; lead artist/project director, Cincinnati (2001-03)
  • Culture Crimes/Art Assassins – public sidewalk chalkwork for opening of Aronoff Center, Cincinnati, OH (1995)
  • Cincinnati Watercolors, a widely marketed limited edition of seven art prints (1988-2016)
  • Illustrator of five published books distributed in France (during residency 1980-85) and USA (1994)

Professional Service

  • Artist Partner for Crayons to Computers national competition, vying for $10K of art materials for public schools (2016)
  • Founding Member of Ludlow 21, a citizens action group for revitalization of the Clifton business district (2014-16)
  • Cincinnati Arts Allocation Committee member, established Cincinnati Arts Ambassador Fellowship program (2012-16)
  • Founder and Programming Chair, CliftonFest, annual arts and music celebration (2012-2014)
  • Probasco Fountain Restoration Committee, facilitated community engagement process for design (2012 – present)
  • Art in Cincinnati, social media page for working artists, co-founder and moderator at Candidates Night for the Arts (2013)
  • Riverflora, planning committee for a renaissance of Cincinnati Flower Show (2012)
  • Think Tank with WolfBrown, hosted by ArtsWave, cultural arts community participant (2012-13)
  • Clifton Plaza on Ludlow Committee, community co-chair, design and oversight of urban development project (2008-09)
  • Steering and Review Committee member for MuralWorks program, administered by ArtWorks (2006-08)
  • Organizer of international cultural exchange & collaborative projects for Cincinnati’s Sister Cities (1999-2016)
  • Advisory Board Member for WomanMade Gallery, Chicago IL (2003-2016)
  • SOS ART, annual invitational exhibition, Steering Committee (2004-06)
  • College Art Association International Committee member (2003-2006) and Conference Session Chair (2004)
  • Regional Cultural Alliance, board member representing artist community, (1997-98)
  • Art on the Square Juried Exhibition with Charlotta Kotik of the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Project Director (1995)
  • Founding board member of Pendleton Art Center, Cincinnati, OH (1991-93)

Guest Speaker

  • OLLI classes University of Cincinnati (2014, 2015)
  • Art Therapy, DAAP classes with Jenny Roesel Ustick and Sarah Lanman (2015)
  • CliftonFest ArtCarpet chalk demonstration, WXIX news (2013)
  • “The Black Brigade” interview for Black History Month, The List Show (Channel 9) (2013)
  • “The Siege of Cincinnati” by Paige Malott, Digital Media Group (2012)
  • Voices: WCET Oral Histories (2011)
  • Making of the Black Brigade Monument Hamilton County Public Library and at Twin Lakes, Montgomery (2011)
  • SOS Art Opening Commentary (2010)
  • Xavier University Professional Artists Panel (2009)
  • Xavier University Freshman Arts Students (2008)
  • Graduating Seniors Seminar at Art Academy of Cincinnati (2008)
  • Ohio Arts Council panel “Public Values” (2007)
  • MuralWorks apprentices orientation to mosaics (2007)
  • Community Based Art Lecture for Guangxi Arts Institute, Nanning, PR China (2006)
  • Mayerson Foundation Artist in Residence, Cincinnati (2006)
  • Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Public Art Programs (2006)
  • Cincinnati City Hall Arts & Culture Committee Meeting (2004)
  • International Session, College Art Association Conference, Philadelphia (2002) and Seattle (2004)
  • Freshman Assembly, University of Cincinnati (2000,1998) and Art Academy of Cincinnati (1997)
  • Community Art Forum (1995)
  • Community Art Forum, UC Raymond Walters College (1994)
  • Cincinnati Art Club (1993)

Selected Exhibitions

SOS ART Annual Exhibitions, Cincinnati, Ohio, curated by Saad Ghosn (2002 – 2016)

  • 2015
    • Kennedy Heights Art Center invitational exhibition curated by Saad Ghosn (2015)
  • 2014
    • “Modern Landscapes” Daniel Brown’s invitational exhibition at Covington Arts (2014)
  • 2013
    • “ReArt Cincinnati/Baracoa, Cuba” exhibition at Clifton Cultural Arts Center & Pendleton Art Center, Middletown, OH
    • “The Human Face” invitational exhibition, AEC Gallery, sculpture exhibited, Covington KY
    • “Angels” invitational exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, sculpture exhibited, Covington, KY
    • “Artists as Activists” Northern Kentucky University; sculpture exhibited
    • “50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement” at Cincinnati YWCA Gallery; sculptural installation, Cincinnati, OH
  • 2011
    • “Outside America” exhibition, curator and exhibitor for WomanMade Gallery, Chicago IL
    • “Cincinnati Dreams Italy” – invitational exhibition around Lytle Park, Cincinnati
    • “Artists as Activists” – invitational exhibition, Covington Arts, Covington, KY
  • 2009
    • OBACHT, 5 ceramic artworks in Group Exhibition in Munich, Germany
    • Triangular Drawings, Goethe Institute, Munich, project exhibitions in Cincinnati, Munich and Liuzhou; project designer, lead artist for Cincinnati team
  • 2007
    • The Juror’s Invitational Exhibition, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago IL
  • 2006
    • A Change in Perspective, 180 drawings by 18 artists in cultural exchange with Munich, Germany, exhibited at the Amerikahaus Fortieth Anniversary, and in Cincinnati at University Galleries on Sycamore
    • SOS ART Select, invitational exhibition at DAAP Galleries on Sycamore, Cincinnati, OH
    • Days in Clay, solo exhibition, Guangxi Arts Institute in Nanning and Liu Gao School in Liuzhou, PR China
  • 2005
    • Empty Chairs, Painful Windows, group video/art therapy/installation art at YWCA Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
  • 2003
    • Traditions, curator for international juried exhibition, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL
    • Installations and Performances at the Carnegie – invitational group exhibition, Covington, KY
  • 2002
    • Transformations – collaborative stage & gallery exhibition of CCM & DAAP, University of Cincinnati, OH
    • Wish You Were Here – invitational group exhibition, Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
    • Matri Art – Masters Thesis exhibition and performance, 840 Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, OH
  • 2001
    • “Traditions” international art exhibition at WomanMade Gallery, Chicago IL; guest curator
  • 2000
    • Members Exhibition, international juried exhibition, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL
    • Cincinnati Studio Artists Group at Heim & Handwerk 2000, Munich, Germany
  • 1999
    • Eve: Living the First Life – juried solo exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Covington, KY
    • Forty Mid-Career Women Artists – juried group exhibition, University Club, Cincinnati, OH
  • 1998
    • Group Exhibition – five egg tempera panel paintings at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
    • Morocco – paintings from travels with Gail Morrison at Mullane’s Parkside Cafe, Cincinnati, OH
    • Portrait – international juried exhibition, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL
    • Invitational Group Exhibition at 4222 Wabash Gallery, Chicago, IL
  • 1997
    • Works by Artists in Residence – group exhibition, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
    • Figure 15 – juried group exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Covington, KY
    • Home Seen – solo exhibition at Wellage and Buxton Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
  • 1996
    • Works from Summer Studies – group exhibition, Parsons New School, Paris, France
    • Figure 10 – juried group exhibition, Carnegie Arts Center, Covington, KY
    • NUDE ‘96 – Lexington Art League, national juried exhibition, Lexington, KY
  • 1995
    • Florentine Nudes – solo exhibition, Over-the-Rhine Artists Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
    • Grande Exhibition 1995 – national juried exhibition, Akron Society of Artists, Akron, OH
    • Holy Baloney – national juried exhibition, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, IL
  • 1994
    • Ohio Womens Caucus for the Arts Annual Exhibition, juried state exhibition, Toledo, OH
    • Fresh Art – plein air exhibition at Berringer Crawford Museum, Covington, KY (first prize award)
    • NUDE ‘93 – Lexington Art League, national juried exhibition, Lexington, KY (award)
    • International Art Exhibition – Florida Museum of Hispanic & Latin American Art, Miami, FL

Teaching Experience

  • Artist in Residence, “Angels” at Summit Country Day School, for seven-month architectural mosaic project (2016)
  • Bishop Brossart Junior Class 5-month Workshop for Three Legacy Panels, Mayerson Service Learning Grant (2014)
  • Totem Making Workshops for Procter and Gamble World Designers Meeting, Clay Street Think Tank (2012)
  • Mural Painting Workshops for Procter and Gamble World Design Meeting at Westin Hotel, Cincinnati, OH (2007)
  • International People’s Project Murals Workshop, for Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Cincinnati, OH (2007)
  • Art Roundtables Workshop at P&G Clay Street Think Tank, Cincinnati, OH (2006)
  • Designer and lead artist for A Friendship Tapestry, Camp SEE/Cin-Liu Sister City Program, Liuzhou, China (2006)
  • Artist in Residence at Twin Lakes Community, ceramic community-based mural, Montgomery, OH (2006, 2007, 2010)
  • Art Director, Mayerson Foundation’s Our Daily Bread Murals, ten high school art teachers and their students (2006)
  • Art Director for Vine Street Murals & Can-Paign, with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful (2005)
  • Artist in Residence, “Dreambuilders” at Summit Country Day School, for seven-month architectural mosaic project (2004-2005)
  • Adjunct faculty member, Figure Drawing 301, College of Mount Saint Joseph, Cincinnati, OH (2004)
  • Instructor of record, Life Drawing II, School of Fine Art, University of Cincinnati (2001)
  • Instructor of record, Basic Drawing I & II, School of Fine Art, University of Cincinnati (2000-01)
  • Adjunct faculty member for Foundations Drawing, School of Design, DAAP, University of Cincinnati (1999)
  • Teacher of elementary students, special grants programs at the Art Academy of Cincinnati (1996)
  • Designer of arts educational materials for the Cincinnati Art Museum (1992-97)
  • Technical Advisor, restoration of Memorial Hall painted wall decorations, and design of print materials (1990-92)
  • Teacher of college level illustration and design courses, Ohio Visual Arts Institute, Cincinnati (1980)

Articles, Interviews, Publications

  • AEQAI 6/13 “A Letter From Munich – Jan Brown Checco” about Cincinnati Park Board Treehouse Exchange http://aeqai.com/main/2013/06/a-letter-from-munich/
  • AEQAI 4/13 “Art for a Better World – Jan Brown Checco” by Saad Ghosn; http://aeqai.com/main/2013/04/art-for-a-better-world-4/
  • ReArt/World Garden, art exchange/Kharkiv Ukraine, by Alan Brown 2012; http://www.blurb.com/b/3194032-reart-world-garden
  • “Voices” WCET documentary interviews, June 2010 http://watch.cetconnect.org/video/1565826864/
  • “Gardening Abroad” by Michelle Taute, Cincinnati Magazine, March 2009
  • Triangular Drawings Exhibition Opening, Liuzhou Daily Press, November 2008
  • "A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words" by Jan Brown Checco, Pulse Downtown, August 2008
  • “Judges Fly with Butterfly Design,” Sara Pearce, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/07
  • World Contemporary Public Ceramic Art, two-page story in survey book; by Zhang Yushan, PR China 9/06
  • “One-Way Ticket to Paradise,” review of CSAG exhibition in Munich, Sueddeutsch Zeitung, Germany 4/8/06
  • “Clay, Color and Fire and the work of Vladimir Shapovalov,” in Mockba – a Russian art review, no. 5, 2005
  • “Putting People on the Palette,” tutorial about Summit Dreambuilding Mosaics for Pottery Making Illustrated, 2006
  • “Melancholy Suits the Mockbee,” report about SOS ART 2005 by Sara Pearce, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/1/05
  • “Clay, Color & Fire: Making Tiles and Peace,” 3300-word article for Ceramics Monthly, Summer 2004
  • “Clay, Color & Fire,” 32-page booklet with CD enclosure; JBC author and art director, 2004
  • Arts Exploration Journal, Issue 4, from Guangxi Arts College, “Clay, Color & Fire: A Successful Public Art” 2003
  • “Excellence in the Arts” – Post Corbett Awards – article in the Cincinnati Post, 11/18/03
  • “Focus: Clay, Color & Fire,” 30-minute television interview produced by Joanne Grueter for CET Cincinnati, 9/03
  • “Mosaics Make Magic,” report about Clay, Color and Fire by Marilyn Bauer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/3/03
  • “Ideal World Ohio,” review of CSAG exhibition in Munich, Sueddeutsch Zeitung, Germany, 12/8/00
  • “Renaissance Now,” review of solo exhibition at Interiors, Cincinnati, City Beat, 1/98
  • “Nudes,” review of group exhibition at the Carnegie Arts Center, Owen Findsen, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/96
  • “A Revealing Body of Work,” interview with Jonathan Kamholtz, City Beat, 11/96
  • “Florentine Nudes,” review of solo exhibition in Cincinnati, Antenna Magazine, 11/95
  • “Culture Crimes,” report about public venue performance piece in the Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/95
  • “Conversations with Irma,” television interview with Irma Lazarus, WCET Public Television Cincinnati,10/93
  • “Modern Day Michelangelo,” interview about Laurel Court ceiling decoration, Cincinnati Post, 11/85

Education

  • Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture, College of DAAP, University of Cincinnati, OH (2002)
  • Vermont Studio Center, two-week residency working with Gregory Gillespie (1997)
  • Parsons New School in Paris, France; painting and drawing (summer session 1996)
  • Studio Art Centers International (SACI) Florence, Italy; painting and art history (1995)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Academy of Cincinnati, suma cum laude; painting and drawing (1992 – 93)
  • Independent studies in drawing & painting while working in design & illustration, Paris, France (1980 – 85)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts work at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; illustration and design (1970 – 73)