I grew up in Dowagiac, Michigan. I graduated with high honors in 2003 from Dowagiac Union High. I was accepted into Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Choir Ensemble and toured Germany, Denmark, Belgum and Italy the summer after graduation. Afterward, I went on to experiment in music and art and aquired my Associates degree at Southwestern Michigan College. I transferred to Grand Valley State University in 2005 where I am pursuing my Batchelor's of Fine Arts in ceramics and my Batchelor of Art in art education. I studied aboad last summer in Florence, Italy. My next academic overseas endevor is to this spring attend the Ceramics Biennial in Korea and then later tour historical ceramic sites in China.

My experiences in my field start with serving as a board member of the Dowagiac Fine Arts Festival, teaching for children's programs at Southwestern Michigan College, teaching at Krasl Art Museum children's summer art porgram, coordinating a ceramic art education program for an underprivledged school in the Grand Rapids area, and participating as a presentor during the 2008 MAEA conference. I have been a founding and active member of both the GVSU Contemporary Ceramics Association and the GVSU MAEA Student Chapter. Through my experiences I have gained an intense interest in museum work and children's learning programs, as well as coordinating end-of-program events, visiting artists, and visiting schools. I am looking forward to gaining more experience in the field of art education.

Serving as a board member for the Dowagiac Fine Arts Festival, I attended numerous lectures and gained an understanding of the interworkings of the festival. Serving on the board was an inspiration, it helped feed my passion for contemporary arts and public events. My next endeavor involved Southwestern Michigan College's children's reading program. During a summer event, I volunteered to work with the children in the museum to help foster summer reading. During the school year, I volunteered to help run school tours of the museum. I feel that my experiences with children are also about working with the parents. My job at Krasl required me to communicate with parents and give feedback as to how the students were progressing. I became skilled at settling child disputes and discussing child progress with parents. My coordination of the ceramic art education program for Valleywood Middle School helped make clear what it takes to plan an event from start to finish. I was in charge of finding a school to participate, find funding for busses, supplies, food and an origional lesson plan concerning ceramics. This event was very successful, with positive written feedback from all participants. During my years with GVSU Contemporary Ceramics Association, I have helped plan throwing workshops, visiting artist lectures, trips to NCECA and a wood firing event from the ground up, literally from bricks to firing.

I live in Grand Rapids with my guinea pig, Persephonie, and three other awesome roommates.

You can email me at: norahipshear@gmail.com

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