Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Ceilon Aspensen PO Box 51472 Billings, MT 59105 406-578-8822 ceilon@ceilon.com Education Montana State University – Received PhD in American Studies, focusing on Contemporary American Indian Art, December 17, 2021. Montana Arts Council, Montana Artrepreneur Program (MAP)— Participated in the MAP Market Ready Certification in the cohort led by Dg House and Dr. Edrienne Kittredge. Goucher College – Continuing education credits at the graduate level; training to teach AP Studio Art, July 6-10, 2009. Johns Hopkins University – Continuing education credits at the graduate level in Educational Studies. Montana State University – Master of Arts in Native American Studies, received May 2006. Also completed all teacher certification coursework in K-12 Art, May 2006. Mississippi State University – Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Graphic Design, received August 1989. Allegany College– Made the Dean’s List. 6 credits only, transferred after one semester to Mississippi State University. University Teaching Experience Adjunct Professor, Montana State University Native American Studies Department, Fall 2009 to Summer 2015. Wrote the curriculum for this American Indian Art course for Dr. Kristin Ruppel, who taught it as an undergraduate course while I was a grad student in NAS at MSU. In 2009 I converted the course to a graduate level course and taught it as NASX-551 for the MSU NAS Department and Extended University using D2L, an online delivery format. Graduate Teaching Assistant, Montana State University, August 2004 through May 2006. Taught NAS-100 (Introduction to Native American Studies). Recipient of the College of Letters and Sciences Outstanding GTA Award in 2005-2006. I wrote the curriculum, taught the class, and was responsible for all class preparation, lecture, lesson plans as well as all grading and reporting to the university and my department, in the same way that full and associate professors in our department do. The NAS department used the curriculum I wrote for this class as a model for teaching this course in the future. Also wrote the curriculum for the graduate level American Indian Art course taught by Dr. Kristin Ruppel at that time. Scholarly Writing: Doctoral Dissertation – Real Indians Making Real Art: How Indigenous Artists Struggle for Creative Sovereignty and Identity in the Contemporary Art World and Market (currently seeking publication) The State of the Field: Contemporary Native American Art The Limitations of Critical Race Theory in American Studies: Individual Identity v. Group Culture Ageism in the Academy: An Overlooked Aspect of Critical Race Theory The Museums of the Future: The Future is NOW Reimagining the Role of the Museum in the twenty-first Century From “Great Men” to “We the People”: Surveying the Shift from a Focus on “Heroes” to the Inclusion of All Citizens in the Writing of Revolutionary History A CRT Critique of the Common Core: A case study for Critique: “The Common Core State Standards: Insight into their development and purpose” Master’s Thesis – Electronic Distance Education Delivery as a Decolonizing Educational Methodology for Tribal Colleges Fight for the Ocmulgee Old Fields The Science of Listening Intellectual Property and the Protection of Indigenous Knowledge Generally Native American Feminism Other Writing: Home Is Where the Brat Is, published in the Museum of the American Military Family book anthology entitled, “Home: It’s Complicated,” June 2024 Win/Win Solutions for Dealing with No-Shows, published in NailPro Magazine Art Positions: Artist in Residence, Museum of the American Military Family, October 2024 to present Assistant Director of the Billings Arts Association, June 2024 to present Interviews & Speaking / Teaching Engagements: Interviewed for the Museum of the American Military Family podcast, HOST NATION HOSPITALITY, part of a series of programs made in conjunction with Munich’s Stunde Null? 80th Anniversary commemoration event. Presenter at the Annual Sketchbook Symposium at the Yellowstone Art Museum, May 18, 2024. Topic: Linear Perspective for Realism and Accuracy in Architectural Drawing Guest Speaker at the Billings Arts Association monthly “ArtShop” at the Yellowstone Art Museum, April 20, 2024. Topic: Effective Website Design for Artists – How to design a website that sells. Art Exhibitions and Awards Billings ArtWalk Exhibitions: October 2021 through June 2024, Ceilon Aspensen Fine Art Studio In May of 2024, my student, Alexandria Monger, won first place in the United States Congressional Art Competition for Montana District 2. This was an honor for her and for me. Her entry was a watercolor painting, which she had never done before I taught her how. It was a privilege to have taught the winner of the competition, especially since I have now done that twice. “Tuscaloosa Still Life,” mixed media drawing, exhibited at the Paris Gibson Square 25th Annual Art Show and Auction in Great Falls, Montana, May 2023. “Water Moccasin Rowboat,” watercolor painting, exhibited at the Zootown Arts Community Center 11th Annual Mini Show and auction in Missoula, Montana, March 2023. “Bear Hug,” watercolor painting, exhibited in the DaVinci’s Workshop “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” show in Billings, Montana, February 2023. In May of 2022, all three positions (first, second, and third place) in the United States Congressional Art Competition in the Montana At-Large District were won by my high school students: Taylor Hart (first place), Audry Wagner (second place), Wyatt LaBolle (third place). This was an honor for both them and me, and a privilege to have taught them well enough for them to dominate the competition in Montana. “Old Friend,”acrylic painting, exhibited in the Sandstone Gallery Spring Challenge in Billings, Montana, March through May, 2022. I had a small art studio in the Montana Power Building on Broadway (Suite 406) from August 2020 to October 2024 where I displayed my artwork for evening art walks and in the summer months (by appointment only during other times of the year). Was a vendor at the Shelby Street Fair in Shelby, Montana, August 3, 2019. One of my watercolor paintings was accepted by the “Statements: 50 Years of Making,” Mississippi State University’s Department of Art 50th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition. This was a juried exhibition in which 220 works were submitted but only 127 were accepted. Southwest Montana Arts Annual member exhibition at the Bozeman Public Library, 2014. Was a vendor in the 2013 SLAM Festival in Bozeman. Participated by donating artwork to the Summer 2010 “Art v. Oil Spill” fundraising effort to benefit sea animals injured by the BP oil spill, 100% of proceeds going to Wildlife Rehabilitation and Nature Preservation Society Inc. Recipient of the College of Letters & Science Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for 2005-2006. Wind River Valley Artist’s Guild 4th Annual Miniature Art Show. Dubois, Wyoming. November 2002. The Artists’ Gallery Bozeman, Montana. A working member of The Artists’ Gallery artists’ co-op where I exhibited and sold artwork from December 1997 through May 1998. Holter Museum of Art Helena, Montana. June 1996. National juried exhibition featuring art which incorporated animals in a non-traditional way. Eastern Montana College Art Gallery Billings, Montana. Spring 1991. National juried exhibition entitled “Icons from the Cult of the Prairie Madonna”, featuring works of art by women about the experience of being a woman in the American West. Artemesia Gallery Chicago, Illinois. February 1991. National juried exhibition featuring artwork by women about issues of concern to women. The PASS Gallery Bozeman, Montana. October 1990. Joint exhibition with renowned Montana artist Freeman Butts, as well as artists Marvin Fuller and Keith Campeau. The Gallery on Greene, Cumberland, Maryland. Solo exhibition, August 1989. Mississippi State University College of Business and Industry Art Gallery Solo exhibition. February 1989. Best in Show. Received the coveted “Best in Show” award at the 17th Annual Mississippi State University Student Art Exhibition in 1989. K-12 Teaching Experience: Grades 9-12 Art Teacher, Laurel, MT, August 2020 to present. I teach a full art curriculum including Introduction to Art (fundamentals), Beginning and Intermediate Drawing, Beginning and Intermediate Painting, Beginning 3D Art, and AP Studio Art. These courses cover all manner of 2-D and 3-D media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, visual journaling, ceramics, sculpture in a variety of media from papier-mâché to modeling clay to recycled assemblage art and more. Normally, my curriculum also includes at least three field trips each year to provide students with a broader field of art experiences, as well as exposure to the world of professional art and artists, and opportunities to visit museums and art galleries. However, that effort was hindered this past year due to the pandemic. I also advise the art club for 9-12 grade students. Grades 7-12 Art Teacher, Shelby, MT, August 2017 to present. I taught a full art curriculum including Fundamentals of Art, Graphic Design (as yearbook production and publication), Advanced Design (which could include AP Studio Art, as I already have a College Board approved syllabus to teach that course). These courses covered all manner of 2-D and 3-D media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, visual journaling, ceramics, sculpture in a variety of media from papier-mâché to modeling clay to recycled assemblage art and more. My curriculum also included at least three field trips each year to provide students with a broader field of art experiences beyond our small town, as well as opportunities to visit museums and art galleries. I ran an art club for both middle school and high school students. I also provided adult classes for our small community, in which my adult classes were the only opportunity for many miles around for anyone in our area to participate in art classes. K-12 Art Teacher, Brockton School, Brockton, MT, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, August 2016 to present. I taught individual classes by grade level for grades K-12, and taught a variety of art electives for grades 7-12. I was able to put my education and experience in Native American Studies to work in a custom curriculum for my Native American students. Art and Journalism Teacher, Patterson High School, Baltimore City Public Schools, September 2006 to June 2011. I taught Fundamentals of Art, Graphic Design, and Advanced Design. I also was the Yearbook Adviser and taught Journalism and Newspaper Production. My duties included writing three separate lesson plans each day for the three different classes I taught (I taught five different classes throughout the school year), and preparing all materials. I wrote lesson plans based on unit plans that I wrote which are approached using backward design. My lessons are noted for frequent incorporation of cultural exemplars, which come primarily from Native American culture, since that is my specific area of expertise. (My students particularly loved the Mola unit.) I wrote a unit plan, complete with lessons and resources, that was purchased by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American Culture and History 2007. I was a mentor to a new teacher two years in a row, and though there was no chairperson or “Art Department” at my school, we had four art teachers and I was the designated representative for my school at Art Professional Development in my district and disseminated that information back to my colleagues. I also served for two years as the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) representative from my school at Gate Professional Development in my district and worked with the GATE Program Manager at my school to implement programs for our students. I served as interim Communications Chairmen for our School Improvement Team. My performance evaluations during my time at Patterson High School were stellar (I have received perfect scores each of the last two years, and near perfect the first year). My students produced The Patterson Press, the official school newspaper of Patterson High School, which won 3rd place in the American Scholastic Press Association annual high school newspaper competition in 2008. Other Teaching Experience (Continuing Ed, Adult Ed, Children): Private Art Lessons, Online and in Billings, Montana, January 2023 to present. I offer individualized instruction for students who desire one-on-one assistance in developing their artistic skills and creativity. Art Teacher, Adult Classes, On demand online at https://ceilon.info, January 2023 to present. I offer a variety of on demand art classes in my membership area. Art Teacher, Adult Classes, A Crooked Line Studio, Billings, MT, January 2023 to May 2023. I taught adult art classes on contract in the evenings in watercolor and colored pencil to anyone looking to learn from scratch or improve their skills. GTCC (Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative), live and online, June 2018 and June 2019. Taught a continuing education course in watercolor technique and lesson planning to other public school teachers throughout the state of Montana. TEFL-TESOL Teacher, EF (Education First/English First), online, August 2019 to October 2021. I taught English as a foreign language to Chinese children in Beijing and Shanghai from 4:00am to 7:00am (MDT/MST), Monday through Sunday, year round. Lead Teacher, BozeArts After-School and Summer Camp Program, January 2013 through August 2016. Wrote the curriculum and taught daily after-school art courses as well as 5-7 summer camps per year. Grades K-6. http://www.bozearts.net. Art Teacher, Camp Achieve, Baltimore, Maryland, June 25 through August 6, 2010. Academic, summer camp program for children ages 5 thru 13. Focus was on enrichment in core subjects of reading and math, supplemented by social and recreational enrichment. Volunteer Art Teacher Taught a 5-week unit on Handmade Paper and Handmade Books at Lamotte School in Bozeman (November 15, 2005 through December 13, 2005). Taught art classes at the Bozeman Senior High School Art Club’s Annual ArtFest in the spring of 2004 and in the spring of 1998. Taught art one day a week for the 1992-1993 school year at Gallatin Gateway School in Wendy Catigani’s 5th grade art class. Paraprofessional Teaching Experience – One week of pre-service teaching at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana. I worked directly with students in grades 9-12 for a week, and taught a drawing class on my own during that time (May 2004). This experience fulfilled my para-professional teaching requirement. Substitute Art Teacher – for Chelsea Smith of Artsplot and the Arts Centered Education Society, at Whittier School, spring 2004. Art Mentor – Taught art for two fifth grade students at Longfellow School for the 2003/2004 school year. Professional Development – While employed by Zoot Enterprises, I assisted the Human Resources department with a community-wide seminar on various Human Resources topics. I taught specific sections of the seminar by myself, while our company Trainer and Human Resource Officer taught other sections. Tutor / Lab Monitor – in the Reid 425 computer lab for Joan Cook during spring semester of 2002. I was available to answer questions related to any and all computer-related projects for EDCI 320, and provided specific help with HTML and web programming (my specific area of programming expertise). Educator Sales Consultant – for Creative Nail Design for several years in the early 1990s, which required that I teach seminars to cosmetologists / nail technicians about the proper application of artificial fingernails, as well as lecture on nail health, skin and nail chemistry, history of nail enhancements, etc. The training was extremely rigorous, and the expectations of me as an educator were extremely high and required regular supervision and review by my supervisor in Carlsbad, CA. Professional Licensure Currently hold a valid Class 2: Standard License in Montana for K-12 Art Currently hold a valid TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)/TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate for elementary-age students Currently hold a valid Cosmetology Licence in Montana Digital Programming Work Experience Criteria Applications Programmer Zoot Enterprises, March 2001 to July 2002. Employed Zoot’s proprietary ZootScript programming language to create custom credit decisioning applications for North America’s leading financial institutions. Web Application s Programmer Code Rustlers, Owner since 2002 to Present. http://www.coderustlers.com Zoot Enterprises, November 2000 to January 2001. Employed HTML, PHP3 and PHP4 to design the web interface for web applications integrating MySQL and MS SQL database applications. Pathway Systems, February 2000 to April 2001. Employed HTML, ASP and VBScript to design web applications which integrated MS SQL database applications. Montana Rose and Cowboy Heaven Records, October 1998 to October 2000. Designed, built and maintained the Montana Rose website, the Cowboy Heaven Records website. Successfully marketed via the Internet to other Internet e-commerce outlets as well as end consumers, all sales related contact with retail outlets, Internet marketing for other bands under the Cowboy Heaven Records Virtual Label. Computer Network Maintenance and Systems Administration Tech Support / Systems Administration Zoot Enterprises, July 2002 to November 2002. Performed maintenance tasks on the distributed system and did some shell scripting in the UNIX environment. Monitored Zoot’s distributed network and worked as part of team to ensure Zoot’s customers as near to 100% guaranteed uptime as possible. Addressed and logged technical support issues for customers on the telephone, as well at technical support issues for employees of Zoot Enterprises. Lab Monitor / Tutor at MSU Reid 425 Computer Lab Montana State University, January 2002 to May 2002. Provided minimal maintenance of Macintosh computers and network; assisted students with various tasks concerning their own computer projects (how to use software programs, how to use the computers, troubleshooting, etc.); helped/tutored students on specific HTML programming issues. Sales Experience Corporate Sales, Right Now Technologies, August 1999 to December 1999. Successfully sold to corporations nationwide via the phone and the Internet. Health and Beauty Industry January 1983 to Present. Variety of positions including: Business Owner Synergy Bodyworks, December 1993 to August 1998. Wrote the business plan, obtained funding, secured the location, managed ten employees, developed the marketing plan and ran a successful business dedicated to superior customer service. Heavy emphasis on retail sales: the national average in the salon industry for retail sales is 18% of the total service ticket–we sold at 30%. Sales Consultant Creative Nail Design, Inc. Represented Creative Nail Design in 5 states by improving the success of distribution, introducing new products, conducting workshops and selling products. Other Experience Health and Beauty Industry, Have been a licensed cosmetologist from January 1983 to present. Variety of positions including: Self-Employed, Owner of Salon Simpatico in Bozeman, Montana since July 2011, to present. http://www.salonsimpatico.com Self-Employed, Rented a booth at Hot Shots in Bozeman and worked half time while I pursued my masters degree, 2002-2004. Business Owner Synergy Bodyworks, December 1993 to August 1998. Wrote the business plan, obtained funding, secured the location, managed ten employees, developed the marketing plan and ran a successful business dedicated to superior customer service. Heavy emphasis on retail sales: the national average in the salon industry for retail sales is 18% of the total service ticket–we sold at 30%. Sales Consultant Creative Nail Design, Inc. Represented Creative Nail Design in 5 states by improving the success of distribution, introducing new products, conducting workshops and selling products. Booth Renter, at Take it From the Top, owned by Leslie Steinman, June 1993 to November 1993. Commission Employee: The Salon in the Main Mall, Bozeman, Montana, January 1990 to June 1993. Cachet Designs, Starkville, Mississippi, 1983-1989. Training and Workshops MSU Billings, Minimum of 2 days each summer from 2020 to the present. MT OPI Learning Hub, Minimum of 2 days each summer from 2020 to the present. Laurel School District PIR/PD, 10 days on various dates throughout the school year, every year from 2020 to the present. Shelby School District PIR/PD, Seven days on various dates throughout the 2019-2020 school year, so far. (Schedule interrupted just before our 8th day of PD by school closings because of COVID-19. Shelby School District PIR/PD, Ten days on various dates throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Shelby School District PIR/PD, Ten days on various dates throughout the 2017-2018 school year. GTCC Visual Arts Watercolor Workshop, June 2019. GTCC Visual Arts Curriculum Committee, Three meetings across various dates throughout the 2018-2019 school year. GTCC New Teacher Orientation, August 16-17, 2017. GTCC (Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative) Ceramics Workshop, July 2017. Brockton Schools PIR/PD, Ten days on various dates throughout the 2016-2017 school year. High Schools That Work. Patterson High School, 20 Professional Development days in school years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Teacher Academy of Maryland Summer Institute I & II. Towson University, in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education. Training for implementing the new CTE (Career & Technology Education) program, “Teacher Academy of Maryland” (TAM). “The African American Experience,” Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture. 3-day seminar in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education: incorporating African American History and Culture in every day instruction in every subject. Baltimore City Public Schools New Teacher Institute, August 7-18, 2006. Baltimore City Teaching Residency, Summer Institute. July 6 – August 4, 2006. “Print Symposium–89,” Drake University Art Department, Des Moines, Iowa. April 12-14, 1989. Hands-on training in a variety of printmaking techniques. Guest Artists/Instructors included: Dennis Olsen, University of Texas at San Antonio, Intaglio; Jeffrey Sippel, Tamarind Institue, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lithography; T.L. Solien, Pelican Rapids Minnesota, Lithography; Sylvia Solochek Walters, San Francisco State University, Relief; Joseph Zirker, Menlo Park, California, Monoprint. “Jerry Uelsman–Unique Vision,” Workshop with MSU Art Students, Mississippi State University. November 3, 1988. Multi-image photography workshop. “Reinhold Marxhausen–Do You Hear What I Hear?” Workshop with MSU Art Students, Mississippi State University: “Serendipity (and the origins of Great Ideas).” September 13, 1988.