REBECCA LESSEM

Education

Graduate:
University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2010 – 2013: MFA (With Honor)

Undergraduate:
Michigan State University, 2001-2005: BFA Studio Art (With Honor)

Exhibitions

2023

Absurd, The Garage Gallery,
Ann Arbor MI. Invitational

2016

Municipal, Madison Municipal Building,
Madison WI. Juried

Small Works, Lemonade Stand Gallery,
Key West FL. Juried

Ignition, Center of the Arts,
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Whitewater WI. Invitational

Homesick, Commonwealth Gallery,
Madison WI. Solo

2015

Everything Is In The Show, The Bad Weather Gallery,
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Whitewater WI. Invitational, Permanent Collection

2013

Stacked, The New Central Library,
Madison WI. Invitational.

Curiouser and Curiouser: Photographic Dreams and Fictions,
PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury VT. Juried

Additions, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison WI. Solo

2012

Vulnerable Surfaces, The Commonwealth Gallery
Madison WI. Invitational.

Too Many Dinner Parties, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison WI. Co-Curator/exhibitor

III, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison WI.

The Nature of Plasticity, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison WI. Solo

Filled With Nothing, Site specific installation 941 E Gorham
Madison WI. Solo

Second Year Review Show, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison WI.

Bookless, The empty Central Library,
Madison WI.

2011

Come and Get It, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Madison WI.

The Exchange, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Madison WI. Co-curator/exhibitor.

Year in Review, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Madison, WI.

2010

New Car Smell, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Madison, WI.

2009

Tupperware Party, Group Exhibition,
Detroit, MI, Invitational.

Student Exhibition, Wayne State University
Detroit, MI, Juried.

2006

Guerilla Show, Group Exhibition.
East Lansing, MI, Invitational.

Student Exhibition, Michigan State University.
East Lansing, MI. Juried.

2005

BFA Thesis Exhibition, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI. Solo

Student Exhibition, Michigan State University.
East Lansing, MI, Juried.

2004

Student Exhibition, Michigan State University.
East Lansing, MI, Juried.

Awards and Recognition

2016 Judges Choice Award, Lemonade Stand Gallery Key west FL

2012 UW Madison Honored instructor award

2009 Wayne State University Art Activity Award Scholarship

2006 Nominated for Sculpture Magazine “Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.”

2005 Nominated for Sculpture Magazine “Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.”

Professional Experience

2016-Present Digital Designer, Freelance, remote. Responsible for the design and creation of custom websites, textual and graphic arts content, and digital animation.

2012-2016 Theatrical designer, Strollers and Bricks theater companies, Madison WI. Responsible for the design and fabrication of Props, costumes and make-up for theatrical productions.

2013-2014 Studio Assistant, Professor Sarah Fitzsimons, UW-Madison, Madison WI, Assisted in organization, production, fabrication and installation of the artist’s work for exhibitions.

2011-2013 Teaching Assistant, Professor Michael Jay McClure, University of Wisconsin-Madison, leading discussion sections for Foundations in Contemporary Art, 108 and 208.

2010-2011 Project Assistant, Professor Gail Simpson, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Assisted in all aspects of running a sculpture studio producing permanent and temporary public art projects.

2009-2010 Gallery Assistant, Detroit Institute of Arts, Gibbs Gallery, “The Neighborhood Project,” by resident artists Mitch Cope and Gina Reichert, Detroit MI. Public relations and community outreach.

2009-2010 Gallery Assistant, Dell Pryor Gallery, Detroit, MI.
Assisted with installation and gallery showings.

2009-2010 Drop-in Staff, Detroit Institute of Arts, Department of Learning
and Interpretation, Detroit, MI. Responsible for prepping and facilitating
public drop-in art workshops, greeting public and answering questions.

2009 Teaching assistant, Wayne State University, Metals Department.
Responsible for assisting the instructor with class demonstrations, aiding students with projects, opening the studio for lab hours, insuring safe use of equipment, and studio clean up.

2007 Visiting Artist, Red Cedar School, Lansing, MI.
Directed and facilitated sculpture garden project.

2006-2007 Instructor/Project Director, Reach Studio Art Center, Lansing, MI.
Facilitated community mural project, taught workshops and private lessons.

2005-2007 Gallery Assistant, Metro Space Art Gallery, East Lansing, MI,
Assisted in installation, gallery showings, public relations.

2005-2007 Teaching Assistant, Reach Studio Art Center, Lansing, MI.
Facilitated community drop-in art workshops for community and at-risk children.

2004-2006 Drop-in Staff, Detroit Institute of Arts, Education Department, Detroit, MI.
Facilitated public drop-in art workshops, taught classes.

2003-2004 Lab Assistant, Kresge Art Center Metal Shop, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI. Aided students with their projects, ensured safe use of shop equipment, prep and clean up of foundry, tool fabrication, care and maintenance of studio.

2003, 2004 Summer Intern, Detroit Institute of Arts, Education Department, Detroit, MI.
Prepped and fabricated materials for classes and workshops, organized studio, aided staff in class instruction.