A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
Selfie of Lauren Ball, a fair-skinned brunette woman wearing glasses.

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Lauren Ball

Continuing Studies Instructor

Contact

Bio

Lauren Ball (she/her) received her MFA from New York University in Studio Art; studied at the Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy; received a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2004); and studied at the Oxbow School of Art, MI. Ball also holds an additional Master’s in Art Education from Columbia College Chicago (2015). Ball has lectured on her work at Columbia College Chicago, The College of DuPage, Roosevelt University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Alumni Association, New York University, and Marymount Manhattan College. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been featured in Artnet, NewCity Art, The New York Times, and Studio Visit Magazine.

Personal Statement

As a professor of painting and drawing and veteran art educator, my specialties are medieval and contemporary art and art history, contemporary painting practices, accessibility themes in art education, social-emotional learning strategies, teaching and learning through museum collections and gallery visits, slow looking, and painting materials and techniques. My goal is for my students to challenge their own ideas and the current modalities of making. 

Exhibitions

Selected solo and group exhibitions: 100 Women of Spirit (2024), Zürcher Gallery, New York, NY; 11 Women of Spirit (2023), Zürcher Gallery, New York, NY; Synergy (2021), Monica King Projects and Voltz Clarke Gallery, New York, NY; Intersect Aspen (2020), Monica King Contemporary, Aspen, CO; Shape Duration (2019), Gallery 80WSE, New York, NY; UNTITLED(House) (2018), The Illinois State Museum, Lockport, IL; Resurface (2017), SideCar Gallery, Hammond, IN; Old Dynamite (2016), FreeRange Gallery, Chicago, IL; This Particular Patch (2013), Gowanus Ballroom, Brooklyn, NY.

Portfolio

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

In this course, designed for students who are newly exploring their painting and drawing practice, students will experience how these subjects are taught in SAIC classrooms. The curriculum addresses basic skills related to painting and drawing through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Topics and curricular goals may include use of materials, mark making and paint application, technique, space and color, as well as concept development. Students will explore various creative strategies through technical exercises, material explorations, and individual projects. Structured classroom critiques will bring painting and drawing concepts into personal student work. Additional resources such as artist presentations, and the Art Institute of Chicago supplement the course curriculum.

*NOTE* No previous experience is required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1109

Credits

1

Description

You bring your creative interests ? traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting techniques, comics and graphic novels, and more ? and our incredible faculty of artists, designers, and scholars will work one-on-one with you to push your skills to the next level. You may choose to work in a variety of media- wet and dry media, ink, pencil, charcoal, collage, observational drawing, storyboarding, or a combination of different materials. The course will include online demonstrations geared to your passions, visiting artist presentations, online museum resources, as well as time for self-directed work and comprehensive faculty advising. You?ll engage in discussions and critiques with a vibrant online community of other students from throughout the country and around the world, create portfolio-quality work, and receive comprehensive guidance on developing competitive applications for college admissions to art and design programs.

Class Number

1023

Credits

1